Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

The Work

A radiation oncologist is a medical specialist who has specific postgraduate training in management of patients with cancer, in particular, involving the use of radiation therapy (or radiotherapy) as one aspect of their cancer treatment.

Radiation oncologists also have expertise in the treatment of non-malignant conditions with radiation therapy.

Radiation oncologists work closely with other medical specialists, including surgeons, medical oncologists and palliative care physicians, as part of a multidisciplinary team caring for patients with cancer.

The Work

Most patients have already been given a diagnosis of cancer prior to referral to a radiation oncologist. The radiation oncologist is responsible for assessing the patient by clinical evaluation, and organising imaging and other tests, in order to establish a management plan for an individual. Often, this is done in conjunction with other members of the team (both medical and non-medical).

Radiation oncologists are an integral part of the initial and ongoing management process, and have an important role in communicating with patients, their family members and other carers in relation to all aspects of the management of the patient’s disease and overall care.

In particular, radiation oncologists are the experts managing the detail of the radiation therapy component of treatment. They work closely with medical physicists and radiation therapists to plan and deliver effective radiation treatment.

Radiation oncologists have overall responsibly for determining and prescribing the most suitable dose of radiation (from high energy X-rays, electron beams or gamma rays) to deliver in a particular case, and the method and technique by which this will be achieved. They have skills and knowledge that enable the many relevant clinical, biological and pathological factors to be merged into an individual recommendation regarding a course of radiation treatment. The application of their clinical and technical expertise aims at optimising the benefit of radiation therapy for their patients, whether the goal be cure of cancer or alleviation of symptoms e.g. pain.

Consideration of the patient’s social situation, their beliefs and wishes, and the impact of any treatments on quality of life of a person is a critical part of decision-making. Many radiation oncologists work in hospital cancer departments or in larger cancer treatment centres.

Many radiation oncologists also do clinical research, asking their patients if they wish to enter clinical trials. Some also do laboratory research.

Most radiation oncologists are also involved with teaching – both medical students and especially trainees training on-the-job in the specialty.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Position patients for treatment with accuracy, according to prescription.
• Administer prescribed doses of radiation to specific body parts, using radiation therapy equipment according to established practices and standards.
• Follow principles of radiation protection for patient, self, and others.
• Review prescription, diagnosis, patient chart, and identification.
• Conduct most treatment sessions independently, in accordance with the long-term treatment plan and under the general direction of the patient's physician.
• Enter data into computer and set controls to operate or adjust equipment or regulate dosage.
• Check radiation therapy equipment to ensure proper operation.
• Observe and reassure patients during treatment and report unusual reactions to physician or turn equipment off if unexpected adverse reactions occur.
• Educate, prepare, and reassure patients and their families by answering questions, providing physical assistance, and reinforcing physicians' advice regarding treatment reactions or post-treatment care.
• Maintain records, reports, or files as required, including such information as radiation dosages, equipment settings, or patients' reactions.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Training & Development Pathways

Higher Education CAO entry: Radiation Therapy at NFQ level 8 search CAO courses 

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study: Advanced Radiation Therapy Practice - Clinical Practice (TCD), Advanced Radiation Therapy Practice - Treatment Planning (TCD), Radiation Therapy (UCC) at NFQ level 9 

Faculty of Radiologists of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland offers specialist training and post graduate examinations in Radiology.

Irish Institute of Radiography and Radiation Therapy (IIRRT)

Last Updated: August, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €41k - €88k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role. 

Data Source(s):
HSE/ Indeed

Last Updated: August, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment growth was above the national average for this occupation, although employment in 2022 were similar to 2021 levels. The CSO Census data shows that employment was spread across a large number of roles in 2022, with increases across all within this occupation since 2016.

While the numbers employed have increased since 2016, for the most part, the supply from the education and training system has not, and plans to expand training will not have an impact on the potential supply to the labour market in the short-term, given the duration of training required. This has led to issues for a number of roles within this group; for instance, there is an increasing number of students opting to study veterinary medicine in Poland due to the lack of available places to study in Ireland.

Psychologists and pharmacists were added to the employment permits Critical Skills list in June 2022 although new permits issued in 2022 primarily related to radiographers/sonographers, with a small number issued for dentists and pharmacists. With a quarter of those employed aged 55 years or older, replacement demand alone will create job opportunities in the coming years. Demand remains high across these occupations and issues with recruitment are occurring; however, as the numbers employed are too small across the roles for detailed analysis, evidence of shortages are difficult to determine.

• Irish Medical Council

  • Kingram House, Kingram Place, Dublin, 2
  • (01) 498 3100
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Faculty of Radiologists, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI)

  • 123, St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
  • (01) 402 2139
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• CORU - Regulating Health & Social Care Professionals

  • Infinity Building, George’s Court, George’s Lane, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 E98Y
  • (01) 293 3160
  • [email protected]/ [email protected]/ [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Institute of Radiography and Radiation Therapy (IIRRT)

  • 28 Milbrook Court, Kilmainham, Dublin 8
  • (01) 679 0433
  • [email protected]/ [email protected]
  • Click Here