Radiation Therapists

What Does a Radiation Therapists Do?

Provide radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by a radiation oncologist according to established practices and standards. Duties may include reviewing prescription and diagnosis; acting as liaison with physician and supportive care personnel; preparing equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, and protection devices; and maintaining records, reports, and files. May assist in dosimetry procedures and tumor localization.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• 1Position patients for treatment with accuracy, according to prescription.
• 2Administer prescribed doses of radiation to specific body parts, using radiation therapy equipment according to established practices and standards.
• 3Follow principles of radiation protection for patient, self, and others.
• 4Review prescription, diagnosis, patient chart, and identification.
• 5Conduct most treatment sessions independently, in accordance with the long-term treatment plan and under the general direction of the patient's physician.
• 6Enter data into computer and set controls to operate or adjust equipment or regulate dosage.
• 7Check radiation therapy equipment to ensure proper operation.
• 8Observe and reassure patients during treatment and report unusual reactions to physician or turn equipment off if unexpected adverse reactions occur.

Required Skills

• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Beam analysis software
• Dose unit calculation software
• eClinicalWorks EHR software
• Eclipse IDE
• Electronic medical record EMR software
• Epic Systems
• Image processing software
• Lifeline Software RadCalc
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software

Radiation Therapists Salary