Description
Provide radiation therapy as a Radiation Therapist (RT), delivering prescribed treatments under the direction of a radiation oncologist and in accordance with clinical protocols and regulatory standards. Duties include verifying prescriptions and patient identity; operating linear accelerators and onboard imaging; accurately positioning and immobilizing patients; applying radiation safety practices; maintaining detailed records; and coordinating with physicians, physicists, dosimetrists, nurses, and support staff. May assist with simulation, dosimetry support, image-guided localization, and brachytherapy procedures.
- • Deliver prescribed radiation treatments using linear accelerators and ancillary equipment.
- • Position and immobilize patients accurately per prescription and setup instructions.
- • Enter and verify treatment parameters; set controls and initiate exposure per protocol.
- • Follow radiation protection principles for patients, self, and staff.
- • Document treatments, delivered doses, equipment settings, images, and patient responses.
- • Review prescription, diagnosis, treatment plan, patient chart, and identification before each fraction.
- • Conduct daily treatment sessions independently under the physician’s direction.
- • Perform daily machine warm-ups and basic QA checks; report malfunctions promptly.
- • Observe and reassure patients during treatment; stop treatment and notify physician for adverse reactions.
- • Monitor and report side effects such as skin changes, nausea, fatigue, or hair loss.
- • Educate and support patients and families on procedures, side effects, skin care, and post-treatment instructions.
- • Verify and record delivered dose and fractionation each session.
- • Fabricate or prepare immobilization, positioning, shielding, or protection devices as ordered.
- • Acquire and review onboard imaging (kV/MV/CBCT/portal) to verify setup; apply shifts within authority.
- • Assist physicians, dosimetrists, and physicists with simulation and tumor localization activities.
- • Precept and mentor students or junior radiation therapists.
- • Coordinate with physicists, dosimetrists, nurses, and support staff to ensure safe, efficient workflows.
- • Support dosimetry tasks such as data entry, treatment parameter verification, and chart checks as delegated.
- • Provide post-treatment follow-up instructions and facilitate referrals per protocol.
- • Prepare, handle, store, and sterilize brachytherapy applicators; assist during procedures per safety guidelines.
- • Assist with handling sealed radioactive sources under supervision and in compliance with regulations.
- • Schedule patients and manage daily treatment calendars.
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
