Therapeutic radiographer
Also known as: technologist in radiotherapy, therapy radiographer, radiotherapy technologist, radiotherapy radiographer, radiography therapy practitioner, practitioner of therapeutic radiography
About this occupation
Therapeutic radiographers prepare and perform safe and accurate high-energy radiation treatments to patients, using a wide range of sophisticated equipment and techniques, to target the area to be treated, and computer planning to produce a plan of the dose distribution across the area to be treated.
A specialisation of radiographer.
Essential skills and knowledge
- determine medical images' diagnostic suitability
- deal with emergency care situations
- radiation protection
- comply with legislation related to health care
- interact with healthcare users
- ensure safety of healthcare users
- first aid
- medical terminology
- manage radiology information system
- human physiology
- biomarkers
- radiotherapy
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Nuclear Monitoring Technicians (O*NET 19-4051.02). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Brief workers on radiation levels in work areas.
- Calculate safe radiation exposure times for personnel using plant contamination readings and prescribed safe levels of radiation.
- Monitor personnel to determine the amounts and intensities of radiation exposure.
- Inform supervisors when individual exposures or area radiation levels approach maximum permissible limits.
- Provide initial response to abnormal events or to alarms from radiation monitoring equipment.
- Determine intensities and types of radiation in work areas, equipment, or materials, using radiation detectors or other instruments.
- Typical education (US)
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 3 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Reading Comprehension, Operations Monitoring, Speaking
US median pay: US$110,240 a year (2025), 6,470 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.3)
- PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsImportant (3.3)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryImportant (3.1)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.0)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Nuclear Technicians
- Nuclear Engineers
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
- Nuclear Medicine Technologists
- Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
- Calibration Technologists and Technicians
- Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Chemical Technicians
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians
- Occupational Health and Safety Technicians
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.