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Radiation Therapists
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.
Other titles employers use
Computed Tomography Simulation Therapist (CT Simulation Therapist) · Dosimetrist · Radiation Therapist (RT) · Radiation Therapy Technologist (RTT) · Registered Radiation Therapist · Staff Radiation Therapist · Radiation Therapy Technologist
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Position patients for treatment with accuracy, according to prescription.
- Administer prescribed doses of radiation to specific body parts, using radiation therapy equipment according to established practices and standards.
- Follow principles of radiation protection for patient, self, and others.
- Review prescription, diagnosis, patient chart, and identification.
- Conduct most treatment sessions independently, in accordance with the long-term treatment plan and under the general direction of the patient's physician.
- Enter data into computer and set controls to operate or adjust equipment or regulate dosage.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, helping and analytical work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Operations Monitoring
- Speaking
Subjects to know
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Physics
- Mathematics
Useful strengths
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Written Comprehension
- Written Expression
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 4.9 | Arm’s length or closer, most of the day |
| On your feet | 3.9 | Up and down through the day |
| Talking face to face | 4.7 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.4 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for an associate degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A two-year degree 50%
- A four-year degree 38%
- A certificate or some college 12%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Medical software
- Development environment software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Word processing software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Internet browser software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 1,610
- Job openings each year
- 80
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 14.2%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 1,610 | 80 | 14.2% |
| New York | 1,560 | 30 | 27.9% |
| California | 1,100 | 50 | 10.0% |
| Florida | 1,030 | 50 | 9.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 860 | 40 | 1.2% |
| Ohio | 850 | 30 | — |
| Missouri | 660 | 30 | 6.5% |
| Virginia | 650 | 30 | 3.2% |
| Wisconsin | 630 | 30 | 6.8% |
| North Carolina | 610 | 30 | 15.1% |
| Illinois | 580 | 20 | — |
| New Jersey | 580 | 30 | 5.5% |
| Arizona | 460 | 30 | 21.1% |
| Colorado | 390 | 20 | 14.7% |
| Michigan | 390 | 20 | −2.5% |
| Georgia | 360 | 20 | 12.5% |
| Indiana | 340 | 20 | 3.0% |
| Washington | 340 | 20 | 13.3% |
| Tennessee | 290 | 10 | 3.6% |
| Connecticut | 280 | 10 | 3.7% |
| Oregon | 280 | 10 | 7.7% |
| Iowa | 250 | 10 | 8.7% |
| Maryland | 250 | 10 | 4.2% |
| South Carolina | 250 | 10 | 4.2% |
| Oklahoma | 240 | 10 | — |
| Alabama | 230 | 10 | 4.5% |
| Kansas | 230 | 10 | 4.5% |
| Minnesota | 200 | 10 | 5.3% |
| Utah | 200 | 10 | 25.0% |
| Kentucky | 150 | 10 | — |
| Louisiana | 140 | 10 | 7.7% |
| Massachusetts | 140 | 10 | 7.7% |
| Arkansas | 130 | 10 | — |
| Mississippi | 110 | 10 | — |
| District of Columbia | 80 | 0 | — |
| Nebraska | 80 | 0 | — |
| New Hampshire | 80 | 0 | — |
| West Virginia | 80 | 0 | — |
| Montana | 70 | 0 | 16.7% |
| Delaware | 60 | 0 | 20.0% |
| Idaho | 60 | 0 | — |
| South Dakota | 60 | 0 | 20.0% |
| Maine | 50 | 0 | −16.7% |
| North Dakota | 20 | 0 | — |
| Wyoming | 20 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Boise State University
- Degrees each year
- 272
- Admit rate
- 84%
- Annual cost after aid
- $21,000
Midwestern State University
- Degrees each year
- 218
- Admit rate
- 87%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
Oregon Institute of Technology
- Degrees each year
- 168
- Admit rate
- 92%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
University of Missouri-Columbia
- Degrees each year
- 93
- Admit rate
- 77%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
Ohio State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 87
- Admit rate
- 51%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Sacred Heart University
- Degrees each year
- 86
- Admit rate
- 68%
- Annual cost after aid
- $42,000
Georgia Southern University
- Degrees each year
- 84
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $15,000
MCPHS University
- Degrees each year
- 76
- Admit rate
- 85%
- Annual cost after aid
- $38,000
Compare every college offering allied health diagnostic, intervention, and treatment professions