Radiation Therapists

• Maintain records, reports, or files as required, including such information as radiation dosages, equipment settings, or patients' reactions.
• Calculate actual treatment dosages delivered during each session.
• Enter data into computer and set controls to operate or adjust equipment or regulate dosage.
• Schedule patients for treatment times.
• Photograph treated area of patient and process film.
• Check radiation therapy equipment to ensure proper operation.
• Help physicians, radiation oncologists, or clinical physicists to prepare physical or technical aspects of radiation treatment plans, using information about patient condition and anatomy.
• Implement appropriate follow-up care plans.
• Conduct most treatment sessions independently, in accordance with the long-term treatment plan and under the general direction of the patient's physician.
• Prepare or construct equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, or protection devices.
• Position patients for treatment with accuracy, according to prescription.
• Follow principles of radiation protection for patient, self, and others.
• Administer prescribed doses of radiation to specific body parts, using radiation therapy equipment according to established practices and standards.
• Provide assistance to other healthcare personnel during dosimetry procedures and tumor localization.
• Act as liaison with physicist and supportive care personnel.
• Observe and reassure patients during treatment and report unusual reactions to physician or turn equipment off if unexpected adverse reactions occur.
• Review prescription, diagnosis, patient chart, and identification.

• 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.
• Check for side effects, such as skin irritation, nausea, or hair loss to assess patients' reaction to treatment.
• Train or supervise student or subordinate radiotherapy technologists.

No durable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as automatable (85%).