HOW TO GET THERE
Typical pathway
A typical path is to finish secondary school with biology, chemistry, physics, math, English, and computer-related courses, then enter a post-secondary radiation therapy or related medical radiation program. Programs are offered at colleges and universities, and some are more specialized by province or school. Students usually gain hands-on clinical experience in health-care settings, learning to work with radiation oncology teams, equipment, and patients. After graduation, early jobs often involve supervised practice and continued learning on the job, with any additional requirements depending on the employer or province.
THE WORK
What you may do
Legacy duties
- Operate linear accelerators, cobalt 60, X-ray and other radiation therapy equipment to administer radiation treatment prescribed by radiation oncologists
- Check radiation therapy equipment to ensure proper operation
- Assist radiation oncologists and clinical physicists with preparation of radiation treatment plan
- Assist in the preparation of sealed radioactive materials such as cobalt, radium, cesium and isotopes and the construction of devices such as plaster casts and acrylic moulds to assist with administration of radiation treatment
- Monitor the patient's physical and psychological well-being during the entire course of treatment
- Advise the patient regarding side effects of radiation
- May train and supervise student radiotherapy technologists or supervise other radiotherapy technologists.
SKILLS TO BUILD
Skills used in this Career
Business ProceduresInterpersonal skillsMultidisciplinary teamwork