Radiation Oncology Technologists

Job description

These individuals use radiotherapy equipment to provide treatment to cancer patients. They administer ionizing radiation to obtain anatomical images of the human body. They enable physicians to diagnose and treat various lesions and diseases. They work in cancer treatment centres in hospitals.

Environment

  • Controlled ambient temperature
  • Equipment, machinery, tools
  • Biological agents
  • Radiation

Main tasks

  • Administer radiation prescribed by Radiation Oncologists.
  • Ensure that radiotherapy equipment works properly.
  • Collaborate in the development of the radiotherapy program.
  • Assist in the preparation of radioactive sources and the manufacture of accessories for dose administration.
  • Monitor and care for patients during treatment.
  • Explain the possible side effects of radiation to patients.
  • Train and supervise students and other technologists.
  • Demonstrate precision in the use of equipment.

Advancement and mobility

  • Additional training enables some mobility between the three groups of Medical Radiation Technologists.
  • These individuals may specialize in various fields (mammography, magnetic resonance imaging, etc.).

Training and requirements

Formation

Most training programs are offered in French only.

College

DCS in radiation Oncology Technology
Code : 142D0

Placement rate: 87.5%

8.3% of graduates pursue further studies

More on graduates’ employment situation

Also required

  • Membership in the Ordre des technologues en imagerie médicale, en radio-oncologie et en électrophysiologie médicale (OTIMROEPMQ [Quebec Order of Medical Imaging, Radiation Oncology and Medical Electrophysiology Technologists]).

Sometimes required

  • Supervisors and Clinical Instructors
  • Experience as a Technologist in their field of practice.

Main skills and characteristics

Skills

  • Data collection
  • Information processing
  • Reading comprehension
  • Active listening
  • Critical thought
  • Social perception
  • Monitoring operations
  • Coordination
  • Result evaluation
  • Oral expression
  • Service oriented
  • Written expression
  • Operations and control
  • Time management
  • Solving complex problems
  • Active learning
  • Teaching

Abilities

  • Oral comprehension
  • Verbal skills
  • Awareness of issues
  • Written comprehension
  • Written expression
  • Information organization
  • Deductive reasoning
  • Speech clarity
  • Hand-arm stability
  • Near vision
  • Inductive reasoning
  • Speech recognition
  • Selective attention
  • Classification
  • Control accuracy
  • Distance vision
  • Limb coordination
  • Digital dexterity
  • Manual dexterity
  • Idea generation
  • Processing flexibility
  • Visualization

Knowledge and attributes

  • Autonomy
  • Sense of responsibility
  • Knowledge of customer and personalized services
  • Capacity to work in a team
  • Versatility
  • Rigour
  • Attention to detail
  • Capacity to be discrete
  • Respect standards and regulations
  • Knowledge of medicine or dentistry

Interests

  • Conduct tests and trials, control processes
  • Assist or care for people

Personality profiles (RIASEC)

Investigative
People with this profile prefer relying on theoretical knowledge before acting. They like observation, analysis and problem solving.
Realistic
People with this profile prefer carrying out concrete tasks and being physically involved in what they do.
Social
People with this profile prefer to be in contact with others, in particular to entertain, help or teach them.

Last update: January 29, 2026

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