National
| Median wages (2008) |
$35.05 hourly, $72,910 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
15,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Much faster than average (21% or higher)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
6,000 additional employees |
29-1124.00 - Radiation Therapists
Provide radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by a radiologist 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.
Sample of reported job titles:
Radiation Therapist, Staff Radiation Therapist, Radiation Therapy Technologist (RTT), Registered Radiation Therapist, Computed Tomography Simulation Therapist (CT Simulation Therapist)
Tasks
- 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.
- Check radiation therapy equipment to ensure proper operation.
- Review prescription, diagnosis, patient chart, and identification.
- Follow principles of radiation protection for patient, self, and others.
- Maintain records, reports and files as required, including such information as radiation dosages, equipment settings and patients' reactions.
- 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 and adjust equipment and regulate dosage.
- Observe and reassure patients during treatment and report unusual reactions to physician or turn equipment off if unexpected adverse reactions occur.
- Calculate actual treatment dosages delivered during each session.
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Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Electrometers |
| Lasers — Position verification lasers |
| Medical linear accelerator intensity modulated radiation therapy IMRT collimators — Linear accelerator compensation filters; Multi-leaf radiation therapy collimators; Radiation therapy beam directing wedges |
| Medical radiation dosimeters — Dual diode dosimeter patient dose monitors; Multi-monitor dosimetry systems; Wireless patient dosimeters |
| Medical radiological positioning aids for general radiological use — Beam direction shells; Immobilizing bite blocks; Patient positioning straps; Patient treatment area casts |
| Medical radiological shielding aprons or masks or drapes — Radiation shielding lead aprons; Thyroid shields |
| Radiation detectors — Area radiation monitors; Solid state diode detectors; Survey meters |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Graphics or photo imaging software — Image processing software |
| Internet browser software — Web browser software |
| Medical software — Beam analysis software; Lifeline Software RadCalc; Sun Nuclear MapCHECK; Virtual simulation software |
