Radiation therapist
Also called RTT, therapy radiographer, therapeutic radiographer
Radiation therapists are responsible for the accurate delivery of radiotherapy to cancer patients and, as part of the multidisciplinary team, for elements of treatment preparation and patient care. This encompasses the safe and accurate delivery of the radiation dose prescribed and the clinical care and support of the patient throughout the treatment preparation, treatment delivery and immediate post treatment phases.
What you'd do
Medical imaging and therapeutic equipment technicians · ILO- Operating or overseeing operation of radiologic, ultrasound and magnetic imaging equipment to produce images of the body for diagnostic purposes
- Explaining procedures, observing and positioning patients, and using protection devices to ensure safety and comfort during examination, scan or treatment
- Position imaging or treatment equipment, monitoring video displays, and adjusting settings and controls according to technical specifications
- Reviewing and evaluating developed x-rays, video tape or computer generated information to determine if images are satisfactory for diagnostic purposes, and recording results of procedures
- Monitoring patients' conditions and reactions, and reporting abnormal signs to a medical practitioner
- Measuring and recording radiation dosage or radiopharmaceuticals received and used for patients, following prescription issued by a medical practitioner
- Administering, detecting and mapping radiopharmaceuticals or radiation in patients' bodies, using radioisotope, camera or other equipment for diagnosing and treating diseases
- Recording and disposing of radioactive materials and storing radiopharmaceuticals, following radiation safety procedures
- Indoors
- A mix of sitting and standing
- Constant contact with people
- Good freedom to decide
- Usually 40 hours a week
- Deadlines most weeks
- Very repetitive tasks
Will there be jobs?
Yes, good prospects11 EU countries are short of medical imaging and therapeutic equipment technicians now, and many jobs will need filling by 2035.
Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.
What does it pay?
About averagePay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,500 a month (Bulgaria) to €8,200 (Luxembourg), before tax.
Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.
Among technicians and associate professionals in the EU, women earn 16% less per hour than men. Technicians and associate professionals · Eurostat
What do I need to study?
Usually post-secondary or a short degreePost-secondary training or a short degree in medical diagnostic and treatment technology is the usual route.
946 institutions in the EU offer health and welfare bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.
Will AI change it?
Very littleAI could help with only small parts of the tasks.
Average task score 0.22 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).
See the score for each of the 8 tasks
Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for medical imaging and therapeutic equipment technicians. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).