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Medical dosimetrist vs lead radiation therapist

The differences between medical dosimetrists and lead radiation therapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a medical dosimetrist and a lead radiation therapist. Additionally, a medical dosimetrist has an average salary of $116,829, which is higher than the $79,332 average annual salary of a lead radiation therapist.

The top three skills for a medical dosimetrist include patients, dosimetry and oncology. The most important skills for a lead radiation therapist are patients, radiation therapy, and oncology.

Medical dosimetrist vs lead radiation therapist overview

Medical DosimetristLead Radiation Therapist
Yearly salary$116,829$79,332
Hourly rate$56.17$38.14
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs47,58123,497
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Associate Degree, 38%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

What does a medical dosimetrist do?

A medical dosimetrist is a health professional who plans radiation treatment for oncology patients. They with other members of the oncology team to oversee treatment implementation, offer support with radiation equipment, design radiation treatment for oncology patients, perform calculations to determine effective dosing, and create a treatment plan that will be reviewed by a physician. They are also sometimes required to teach at universities and participate in research laboratories.

What does a lead radiation therapist do?

A lead Radiation Therapist is a person who acts as the supervisor in a radiologic department. They are responsible for reviewing and interpreting clinical diagnoses. They also provide daily care for patients inside a clinic or hospital and teach other colleagues of beginner therapists how they can provide necessary care according to standards. They monitor and examine the patient's condition and progress while performing treatment therapy. Meaning this person can practice and perform duties correctly and effectively.

Medical dosimetrist vs lead radiation therapist salary

Medical dosimetrists and lead radiation therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical DosimetristLead Radiation Therapist
Average salary$116,829$79,332
Salary rangeBetween $75,000 And $179,000Between $58,000 And $107,000
Highest paying CityFargo, ND-
Highest paying stateUtah-
Best paying companyBillings Clinic-
Best paying industryHealth Care-

Differences between medical dosimetrist and lead radiation therapist education

There are a few differences between a medical dosimetrist and a lead radiation therapist in terms of educational background:

Medical DosimetristLead Radiation Therapist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Associate Degree, 38%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianBiochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Medical dosimetrist vs lead radiation therapist demographics

Here are the differences between medical dosimetrists' and lead radiation therapists' demographics:

Medical DosimetristLead Radiation Therapist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 46.2% Female, 53.8%Male, 36.2% Female, 63.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.8% Unknown, 8.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 6.4% White, 69.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 5.9% Unknown, 8.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 5.9% White, 69.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage17%17%

Differences between medical dosimetrist and lead radiation therapist duties and responsibilities

Medical dosimetrist example responsibilities.

  • Manage patient charts in MOSAIQ record and verify system.
  • Gain experience in planning 3D-CRT, IMRT, and VMAT plans as well as SBRT and SRS plans.
  • Conduct port management as necessary using IGRT, CBCT and electronic portal imaging.
  • Generate computerized treatment plans for cancer patients, providing manual patient dose calculation and computer verification.
  • Survey and complete paperwork on all brachytherapy cases.
  • Help establish, and grow the SRS program.
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Lead radiation therapist example responsibilities.

  • Demonstrate working knowledge of community mental health services identify in the Medicaid guidelines and attain contractual outcomes within designate time frames.
  • Initiate and organize graduation celebration for all patients finishing radiation treatments.
  • Administer invasive and non-invasive therapeutic radiation via cutting edge radiotherapy devices to cancer patients as directed by physician prescription.
  • Perform daily QA on all equipment to factory safety standards and department policies and procedures.
  • Perform daily QA on simulator and Phillips PET/CT and daily output and alignment checks on linear accelerators.
  • Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals to provide outpatient services to those seeking rehabilitation in an ambulatory care center.
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Medical dosimetrist vs lead radiation therapist skills

Common medical dosimetrist skills
  • Patients, 16%
  • Dosimetry, 10%
  • Oncology, 8%
  • Radiation Therapy, 7%
  • Eclipse, 5%
  • PET, 5%
Common lead radiation therapist skills
  • Patients, 23%
  • Radiation Therapy, 13%
  • Oncology, 8%
  • Patient Treatment, 7%
  • QA, 5%
  • OSHA, 3%

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