Radiation therapist vs lead radiation therapist

The differences between radiation therapists 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 radiation therapist and a lead radiation therapist. Additionally, a radiation therapist has an average salary of $84,981, which is higher than the $79,332 average annual salary of a lead radiation therapist.

The top three skills for a radiation therapist include patients, patient care and radiation oncologist. The most important skills for a lead radiation therapist are patients, radiation therapy, and oncology.

Radiation therapist vs lead radiation therapist overview

	Radiation Therapist	Lead Radiation Therapist
Yearly salary	$84,981	$79,332
Hourly rate	$40.86	$38.14
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	39,384	23,497
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 40%	Associate Degree, 38%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	2	2

What does a radiation therapist do?

A radiation therapist is a medical professional who works in hospitals or cancer treatment centers and treats cancer and other diseases in patients by giving radiation treatments. Radiation therapists are required to explain the treatment plans to patients as well as conduct x-ray tests on patients to determine the exact location of the area that requires treatment. They must examine radiation machines to ensure that they are safe and working properly. Radiation therapists must also follow safety procedures to protect patients and themselves from overexposure.

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.

Radiation therapist vs lead radiation therapist salary

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

	Radiation Therapist	Lead Radiation Therapist
Average salary	$84,981	$79,332
Salary range	Between $63,000 And $113,000	Between $58,000 And $107,000
Highest paying City	Los Angeles, CA	-
Highest paying state	Mississippi	-
Best paying company	Cedars-Sinai	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between radiation therapist and lead radiation therapist education

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

	Radiation Therapist	Lead Radiation Therapist
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 40%	Associate Degree, 38%
Most common major	Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology	Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology
Most common college	Duke University	Duke University

Radiation therapist vs lead radiation therapist demographics

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

	Radiation Therapist	Lead Radiation Therapist
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 34.3% Female, 65.7%	Male, 36.2% Female, 63.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 8.8% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 4.5% White, 69.7% 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 Percentage	17%	17%

Differences between radiation therapist and lead radiation therapist duties and responsibilities

Radiation therapist example responsibilities.

Manage all payroll, accounts receivable and payable, and maintain complete records of equipment and staff.
Manage daily clinical staffing needs by appropriately deploying PRN therapist when need, which save company from employing an additional FTE.
Perform SBRT and SRS, and IMRT treatments under the supervision of the physician.
Set up patients on treatment machine, port films and IGRT to line up patients.
Ensure treatment plans are consistent with oncologist's prescriptions and verify EMR for daily treatment delivery.
Monitor patients records through EMR, maintain weekly and monthly reports for the company, maintain and order supplies.

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.

Radiation therapist vs lead radiation therapist skills

Common radiation therapist skills

Patients, 28%
Patient Care, 9%
Radiation Oncologist, 8%
Patient Treatment, 6%
Dosimetry, 4%
Treatment Planning, 4%

Common lead radiation therapist skills

Patients, 23%
Radiation Therapy, 13%
Oncology, 8%
Patient Treatment, 7%
QA, 5%
OSHA, 3%

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Radiation Therapist
Radiation Therapist vs Lead Radiation Therapist

Updated January 8, 2025

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