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

Therapeutic radiographers are increasingly known as radiotherapy radiographers. They work closely with doctors and nurses and other members of the oncology team to treat patients with cancer.

They deliver doses of X-rays and other ionising radiation to patients, most of whom are suffering from various forms of cancer. The aim of the treatment is to deliver an accurate dose of radiation to the tumour/cancer whilst minimising the dose received by the surrounding tissues.

They establish where the area to be treated is located and work out the exact dosage required with doctors and medical physicists. Radiotherapy radiographers may be involved in the care of the cancer patient from the initial referral clinic stage, where pre-treatment information is given, through the planning process, treatment and eventually post-treatment review (follow-up) stages.

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.

Further Information

• Radiographer - Therapeutic - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Radiographer - Therapeutic - from: GradIreland
• Radiographer - Therapeutic - from: N.C.S. [UK]

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

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.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

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.

To become a therapeutic radiographer, you need to do a degree course in Radiation Therapy.  
 
Degree courses lead to state registration, which is essential for employment in the health service. Once in employment, you can specialise in particular areas of therapeutic radiography and take postgraduate qualifications.

Training & Development Pathways

FET Centre Traineeship: Business & office Admin, Health Service Skills, Healthcare Support, Supervisory Management in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Healthcare, Healthcare Assistant, Healthcare Support, Nursing Studies - Healthcare Support, Medical secretary at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: Advanced healthcare Apprenticeships NFQ level 6 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Radiation Therapy NFQ Level 8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development

Postgraduate Study Options Advanced Radiation Therapy Practice - Clinical, Advanced Radiation Therapy Practice - Treatment Planning, Radiation Therapy, Medical Physics, Computed Tomography, Medicine - Research at NFQ levels 9-10

The Irish Institute of Radiography encourages their members to undertake continuing professional development (CPD) to ensure that they keep up-to-date with new technologies.

Last Updated: August, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €76k

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

Data Source(s):
HSE.ie/ Indeed/ Glassdoor / Payscale

Last Updated: July, 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.

• 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

• Public Appointments Service

  • Chapter House, 26/30 Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1, D01 C7W6
  • (01) 858 7400 or Local: 1890 44 9999
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Health Service Executive (HSE)

  • Dr Steevens' Hospital, Steevens Lane, Dublin, 8
  • 041 685 0300
  • 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