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Radiation Therapist

Kaihaumanu Pūhihi

Radiation therapists are part of a specialised team that uses radiation to treat cancer and other diseases

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Secondary education

A tertiary entrance qualification is required to enter further training. Useful subjects include biology, English, maths and physics.

Study fields

Study levels

  • Bachelor's degree

Useful experience

Useful experience for radiation therapists includes:

  • any work involving helping or caring for people
  • work in hospitals
  • experience with organisations that work with people who have cancer, for example CanTeen or the Cancer Society.

What you will do

Radiation therapists may do some or all of the following:

  • work with radiation oncologists (cancer specialists) to plan and deliver treatment
  • use computed tomography (CT) scans, computer programmes and clinical information to plan radiation treatment
  • make immobilisation devices, such as masks, to help patients lie still during treatment
  • build rapport and communicate with patients during treatment
  • deliver radiation treatment using high energy x-ray machines (linear accelerators)
  • educate people about radiation therapy and its side effects.

Skills and knowledge

Radiation therapists need to have knowledge of:

  • radiation treatment methods and radiation equipment
  • radiation physics and how radiation affects the body
  • anatomy, physiology and pathology
  • how to make patients comfortable.
Pay

Radiation therapists usually earn

$66K-$98K

per year

Radiation therapists with extra responsibilities or expertise usually earn

$101K-$124K

per year

Job opportunities
Average
Chances of getting work as a radiation therapist are average, but better in larger cities.
Length of training
3
years of training required.

Industry

Health

Radiation therapists are part of a specialised team that uses radiation to treat cancer and other diseases

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

To become a radiation therapist you need to have a Bachelor of Radiation Therapy, or another qualification recognised by the Medical Radiation Technologists Board.

You also need to be registered with the Medical Radiation Technologists Board.

The Bachelor of Radiation Therapy is only available from the University of Otago's Wellington campus, and there are about 30 places on the course each year. You can increase your chances of being accepted on to the course by:

  • having strong NCEA Level 3 results, or at least one year's university study in science and psychology
  • showing an interest in, and knowledge of, radiation therapy.

The Vulnerable Children Act 2014 means that if you have certain serious convictions, you can’t be employed in a role where you are responsible for, or work alone with, children. 

Chances of getting a job

Chances of getting work as a radiation therapist are average because:

  • only around 30 radiation therapy students a year are accepted for training
  • many radiation therapists leave New Zealand to get experience overseas
  • an ageing population increases demand for more health checks and scans for age-related diseases

However, medical radiation therapist appears on Immigration New Zealand's long-term skill shortage list. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled radiation therapists from overseas to work in New Zealand.

According to the Census, 1,209 radiation therapists worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Most radiation therapists work for public hospitals

Most radiation therapists work in hospital oncology (cancer) departments in:

  • Auckland
  • Hamilton
  • Palmerston North
  • Wellington
  • Christchurch
  • Dunedin.

Radiation therapists may also work in private cancer treatment centres in Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch.

Find out more about training

New Zealand Medical Radiation Technologists Board (MRTB)
(04) 801 6250 - mrt@medsci.co.nz - www.mrtboard.org.nz
University of Otago Wellington, Department of Radiation Therapy
(04) 385 5475 - rtenquiries.uow@otago.ac.nz - www.otago.ac.nz

Progression and specialisations

Radiation therapists can progress into management roles or teach in a hospital or university.

Radiation therapists may also move into roles in research, sales and marketing of radiation equipment and cancer drugs, or developing new radiation technology.

Radiation therapists can specialise in:

  • treatment planning
  • CT scanning
  • treatment delivery
  • clinical education and research.

Working conditions

Radiation therapists:

  • usually work regular hours and may also work weekends and be on call
  • work in oncology departments at public and private hospitals.

Useful personal qualities

Radiation therapists should be:

  • understanding and empathetic
  • accurate, with an eye for detail
  • able to work well under pressure
  • safety conscious
  • excellent communicators
  • good at planning and organising
  • interested in research
  • good at problem solving.

Industry

Health

Radiation therapists are part of a specialised team that uses radiation to treat cancer and other diseases

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