About This Career

Generates radiation treatment plans, develops radiation dose calculations, communicates and supervises the treatment plan implementation, and consults with members of radiation oncology team.

This career is part of the Health Science cluster Therapeutic Services pathway.

A person in this career:

• Advises oncology team members on use of beam modifying or immobilization devices in radiation treatment plans.
• Calculates, or verifies calculations of, prescribed radiation doses.
• Calculates the delivery of radiation treatment, such as the amount or extent of radiation per session, based on the prescribed course of radiation therapy.
• Conducts radiation oncology-related research, such as improving computer treatment planning systems or developing new treatment devices.
• Creates and transfers reference images and localization markers for treatment delivery, using image-guided radiation therapy.
• Designs the arrangement of radiation fields to reduce exposure to critical patient structures, such as organs, using computers, manuals, and guides.
• Develops radiation treatment plans in consultation with members of the radiation oncology team.
• Develops requirements for the use of patient immobilization devices and positioning aides, such as molds or casts, as part of treatment plans to ensure accurate delivery of radiation and comfort of patient.
• Develops treatment plans, and calculates doses for brachytherapy procedures.
• Educates patients regarding treatment plans, physiological reactions to treatment, or post-treatment care.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would sit most of the time. There's some walking and standing. You may have to lift and carry things like books, papers or tools weighing 10 lbs. or less.
• Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
• Exposed to disease and infections more than once a month through work such as patient care, laboratory work, and sanitation control
• Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
• Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
• Exposed to radiation more than once a month
• Work in this occupation involves making repetitive motions more than one-third of the time
• Work in this occupation involves use of special protective items such as a breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suit, or radiation protection
• Work in this occupation involves standing more than one-third of the time

Work Hours and Travel

• Regular working hours and limited travel