Jobs / Healthcare / 29-1124.00
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.
- US jobs
- 17,070
- Median wage
- $105,310 a year
- Job family
- Healthcare
Can agents do the work of radiation therapists?
We read the evidence for the whole job family, Healthcare: Some tasks (no change in 12 months)
Agents complete 20% or more of the tasks (or projects) on a direct benchmark.
Evidence: MedAgentBench, 69.7% of tasks completed.
0% of this occupation's work, by O*NET work activities, is measured by a direct benchmark.
- 9%Assist healthcare practitioners during medical proceduresNot measured
- 8%Operate medical equipmentNot measured
- 7%Confer with healthcare or other professionals about patient careNot measured
- 7%Administer basic health care or medical treatmentsNot measured
- 6%Follow standard healthcare safety procedures to protect patient and staff membersNot measured
- 6%Verify personal informationNot measured
- 5%Inspect commercial, industrial, or production systems or equipmentNot measured
- 5%Maintain health or medical recordsNot measured
Benchmarks for the job family
These cover work in healthcare, not always this occupation's tasks.
Direct evidence
Work benchmarks mapped primary to this family. They set the step when they report how many tasks agents complete.
Also relevant
These benchmarks cover part of this family's work, or have no result yet. They do not set its step.
Context only
These benchmarks span many occupations, or they test how agents behave. They give context but do not set the step.
Typical tasks
From O*NET 31.0. Core tasks first. Few of these tasks have a benchmark today.
- 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.
- Check radiation therapy equipment to ensure proper operation.
- Observe and reassure patients during treatment and report unusual reactions to physician or turn equipment off if unexpected adverse reactions occur.
- Educate, prepare, and reassure patients and their families by answering questions, providing physical assistance, and reinforcing physicians' advice regarding treatment reactions or post-treatment care.
- Maintain records, reports, or files as required, including such information as radiation dosages, equipment settings, or patients' reactions.
- Check for side effects, such as skin irritation, nausea, or hair loss to assess patients' reaction to treatment.
- Prepare or construct equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, or protection devices.
Other job titles for this occupation (10)
Computed Tomography Simulation Therapist (CT Simulation Therapist) · Dosimetrist · Radiation Therapist (RT) · Radiation Therapy Technologist (RTT) · Registered Radiation Therapist · Staff Radiation Therapist · Radiation Oncology Registered Nurse (Radiation Oncology RN) · Radiation Therapy Technician · Radiologic Therapist · Radiology Therapist