According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Position patients for treatment with accuracy, according to prescription. | 97% |
| Administer prescribed doses of radiation to specific body parts, using radiation therapy equipment according to established practices and standards. | 97% |
| Follow principles of radiation protection for patient, self, and others. | 96% |
| Review prescription, diagnosis, patient chart, and identification. | 96% |
| Conduct most treatment sessions independently, in accordance with the long-term treatment plan and under the general direction of the patient's physician. | 96% |
| Enter data into computer and set controls to operate or adjust equipment or regulate dosage. | 95% |
| Check radiation therapy equipment to ensure proper operation. | 94% |
| Observe and reassure patients during treatment and report unusual reactions to physician or turn equipment off if unexpected adverse reactions occur. | 93% |
| 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. | 92% |
| Maintain records, reports, or files as required, including such information as radiation dosages, equipment settings, or patients' reactions. | 92% |
| Check for side effects, such as skin irritation, nausea, or hair loss to assess patients' reaction to treatment. | 91% |
| Prepare or construct equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, or protection devices. | 90% |
| Help physicians, radiation oncologists, or clinical physicists to prepare physical or technical aspects of radiation treatment plans, using information about patient condition and anatomy. | 89% |
| Calculate actual treatment dosages delivered during each session. | 89% |
| Act as liaison with physicist and supportive care personnel. | 88% |
| Photograph treated area of patient and process film. | 88% |
| Implement appropriate follow-up care plans. | 84% |
| Schedule patients for treatment times. | 83% |
| Provide assistance to other healthcare personnel during dosimetry procedures and tumor localization. | 83% |
| Train or supervise student or subordinate radiotherapy technologists. | 79% |
| Store, sterilize, or prepare the special applicators containing the radioactive substance implanted by the physician. | 79% |
| Assist in the preparation of sealed radioactive materials, such as cobalt, radium, cesium, or isotopes, for use in radiation treatments. | 75% |
