Description
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.
- • Administer prescribed doses of radiation to specific body parts, using radiation therapy equipment according to established practices and standards.
- • Position patients for treatment with accuracy, according to prescription.
- • Enter data into computer and set controls to operate or adjust equipment or regulate dosage.
- • Follow principles of radiation protection for patient, self, and others.
- • Maintain records, reports, or files as required, including such information as radiation dosages, equipment settings, or patients' reactions.
- • 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.
- • 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.
- • Check for side effects, such as skin irritation, nausea, or hair loss to assess patients' reaction to treatment.
- • 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.
- • Calculate actual treatment dosages delivered during each session.
- • Prepare or construct equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, or protection devices.
- • Photograph treated area of patient and process film.
- • Help physicians, radiation oncologists, or clinical physicists to prepare physical or technical aspects of radiation treatment plans, using information about patient condition and anatomy.
- • Train or supervise student or subordinate radiotherapy technologists.
- • Act as liaison with physicist and supportive care personnel.
- • Provide assistance to other healthcare personnel during dosimetry procedures and tumor localization.
- • Implement appropriate follow-up care plans.
- • Store, sterilize, or prepare the special applicators containing the radioactive substance implanted by the physician.
- • Assist in the preparation of sealed radioactive materials, such as cobalt, radium, cesium, or isotopes, for use in radiation treatments.
- • Schedule patients for treatment times.
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
