Radiation Therapist: Duties, Pay, and How to Become One

Radiation therapists administer radiation treatment to patients faced with life-threatening conditions such as cancer. Pairing medical knowledge with an expert understanding of the equipment used to provide radiation treatment, radiation therapists play a critical role in treating and supporting patients as they face a diagnosis that will likely be one of the most important events of their lives.

If you’re an empathetic and detail-oriented individual looking to enter a patient-facing health care profession, you might consider pursuing a career as a radiation therapist. Learn more about the job, including what you would do, how much you could earn, and the qualifications needed to become one. 

What is a radiation therapist?

Radiation therapists are health care professionals who provide radiation treatment to patients suffering from serious health conditions like cancer and thyroid disease. 

As critical members of an oncology team, radiation therapists operate special machinery that targets cancer using radiation beams composed of photons, protons, or electrons to reduce or even eradicate cancerous tumors. Due to the high levels of radioactive materials they work with, radiation therapists must operate such machinery remotely to administer doses of radiation to patients safely from another room. Health care professionals working with radiation must also wear dosimeter badges to track their radiation exposure and ensure it remains within safe levels. 

What does a radiation therapist do?

While radiation therapists focus on treating cancer and other diseases, they also provide patient care, operate equipment, and record patient data. Some of the duties you can typically expect in this position include: 

• Providing and explaining individualized treatment plans to patients and then answering any questions they may have

• Checking and maintaining equipment to ensure it works appropriately

• Operating and calibrating special equipment to administer radiation treatment 

• Following proper protocol to ensure both patients and medical staff don’t receive improper radiation exposure

• Educating patients on treatment side effects and advising them on ways to alleviate their symptoms

• Monitoring patient reaction to treatment and advising alternative treatment plans when necessary 

• Maintaining detailed records on patient progress  

Where do radiation therapists work?

Radiation therapists work in a variety of health care settings. While many work in local, state, and private hospitals, you can also find work in physicians’ offices and outpatient centers. As a result, radiation therapists may work full-time in large, busy hospitals or part-time in smaller, more slow-paced medical offices. 

Radiation therapist salary and job outlook 

Radiation therapists earn a higher-than-average salary. According to the Government of Canada Job Bank, the hourly wage for radiation therapists will be between $28.00 CAD and $47.30 CAD in 2024, with a median of $37.67 CAD [1]. 

Additionally, job growth for radiation therapists remains on par with all jobs in Canada over the next few years. According to the Government of Canada Job Bank, the job outlook for radiation therapists will remain good to very good between 2023 and 2026 [2]. 

How to become a radiation therapist

Radiation therapists are highly trained medical professionals who administer life-saving treatment to patients suffering from some of the most serious medical conditions. Perhaps unsurprisingly, then, the path to joining the profession is defined by education, training, clinical experience, and professional development. 

To start working as a radiation therapist, follow these steps.

1. Gain the proper credential. 

To qualify for a position as a radiation therapist, you must possess either a diploma or bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy or a related field, such as biology or biochemistry. Typically, employers prefer candidates with bachelor’s degrees over those with less advanced degrees. 

2. Develop your skills. 

Radiation therapists must know about human anatomy, health, and the specialized medical equipment they use daily to provide life-saving treatments. 

They must also have several important workplace skills to ensure they provide the best treatment possible to patients and emotionally support them as they face a potentially life-threatening illness. Common interpersonal skills you’ll need to be a successful radiation therapist include: 

• Attention to detail: Radiation therapists must be detail-oriented to ensure that patients receive the exact amount of radiation in the precise spot they need.

• Empathy: Radiation therapists must empathize with their patients to ensure they feel supported as they undergo treatment. 

• Communication: As a radiation therapist, you’ll communicate treatment plans clearly to patients and coordinate with other health care professionals to ensure your patients’ needs are met.

3. Get certified and licensed. 

Nearly every province, except Quebec and British Columbia, requires radiation therapists to earn certification from the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists. However, the requirements you’ll have to fulfil will depend on the province where you practice and may include licensure or membership with a provincial association. Nonetheless, many provinces require that you attend an accredited radiation therapy program and pass a certification exam.

Check your province’s requirements to ensure you do what you need to join the profession.  

Prepare for your future in radiation therapy on Coursera

As a radiation therapist, you’ll ensure patients get the necessary care. If this impactful health care job calls out to you, consider taking a cost-effective online course through Coursera as you begin your learning journey. For example, in the University of Sydney’s Life, Health, and Radiation course, you’ll learn about X-rays, their history, their risks, and their benefits.

In the University of Michigan’s Anatomy Specialization, you’ll learn the foundations of human anatomy, including the major organ systems, their functions, and relationships within the body.