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Radiation Therapist

Radiation therapists design, plan and administer radiation treatment to cancer patients, and provide related care to patients in conjunction with radiation oncologists or other medical specialists.

Radiation therapists work in hospitals and/or radiation oncology centres.

They work in teams that include radiation oncologists, nurses, medical physicists, engineers and technicians, data managers and administrative staff.

They are involved in the day-to-day treatment of cancer patients.

TASKS

Radiation therapists may perform the following tasks:

provide explanations and information to patients about radiation therapy treatment, its possible side effects and self-care procedures
coordinate the various activities that make up the patient's treatment and care plan
use simulators, CT scanners and other medical imaging equipment to identify and define the anatomy to be treated and those to be avoided
devise a treatment plan that will deliver the optimum radiation dose to the target anatomy and minimise dose to unaffected anatomy
calculate the treatment machine settings, associated equipment and computer verification systems to deliver the radiation dose as prescribed by the radiation oncologist
administer the radiation treatment and record the delivered dosage into patients' record sheets
monitor and assess the patient's wellbeing before, during and after the treatment, taking particular note of side effects of treatment
participate in research and development activities and clinical trials
supervise and train students allocated from universities in the practical aspects of radiation therapy
commit to the Continuing Professional Development Program (which is mandatory for registration)

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

interest and ability in science
attention to detail
able to work neatly and accurately
good oral and written communication skills
able to work as part of a team
aptitude for working with computers
patient and empathetic towards others
supportive and professional approach when treating cancer patients

Good Outlook for this career!

Interest Area

EDUCATION & TRAINING

To become a radiation therapist you have to study radiation therapy at university. To get into these courses you need to gain your HSC/ACT Year 12. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics are normally required. A number of universities in Australia offer undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in radiation therapy.

Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements. Contact the universities you are interested in for more information as requirements may change.

Additional Information

Depending on the length of the university course, some graduates are required to complete a year of clinical practice in an accredited radiation oncology department. Those completing a 4-year degree with the necessary clinical component are not required to undertake this additional year. Before undertaking clinical placements required by courses, students will need to obtain a National Police Certificate, a Provide First Aid Certificate, immunisations and a Working with Children Check (NSW) or a Working with Vulnerable People Check (ACT). Contact the institutions you are interested in for more information.

It is a legal requirement for graduates to be registered with the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia before practising as a radiation therapist in any state or territory of Australia. For full details, see the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia's website.

You must also obtain a licence to operate radiation equipment from the appropriate state or territory authority. In the ACT, licences are issued by the Health Protection Service, Radiation Council. In NSW, licences are issued by the Environment Protection Authority (NSW). Contact the relevant body for more information.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Radiation therapy treatment centres can be found in major cities and rural locations. The career structure for radiation therapists allows for professional development and promotion in technical, research and managerial areas.

Factors that influence demand for this occupation include government funding and health policy, advances in medicine and technology, ageing of the population and the incidence of cancer.