Radiation Therapist Assistant - First Shift

Duke Clinical Research Institute; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, seeks a Radiation Therapist Assistant to support licensed radiation therapists and the oncology care team in delivering patient-centered care. You will help ensure a safe treatment environment and contribute to efficient workflow throughout the course of radiation therapy.

This role operates in a fast-paced academic medical center, with opportunities to collaborate on teaching and research while upholding safety and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• High school degree or equivalent required; associate degree preferred.
• Prior healthcare or clinical support experience preferred, ideally in oncology or radiology.
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology and patient care practices.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; compassionate, patient-centered care.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and maintain treatment rooms, linear accelerators, and related equipment for daily use.
• Escort patients and provide compassionate support, ensuring comfort and dignity during treatment visits.
• Supports coordination of patient appointments with clinical teams.
• Adhere to radiation safety, infection prevention, and institutional protocols.
• Assist with departmental workflow optimization and teaching/research activities as appropriate.

Skills

Patient care

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

EMR familiarity

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree preferred

Tools

EMR systems

Job description

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

About Duke University Hospital

Pursue your passion for caring with Duke University Hospital in Durham, North Carolina, which is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. The largest of the four Duke Healthhospitals with 1062 patient beds, it features comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic facilities, including a regional emergency/trauma center, an endo-surgery center, and more.

Location: Duke University Hospital

Work Week: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4pm

Job Summary

The Radiation Therapist Assistant at Duke University Hospital supports licensed radiation therapists and oncology care teams in delivering patient-centered care. As part of a leading academic medical center, this role contributes to exceptional patient care by ensuring efficient workflow, maintaining a safe treatment environment, and enhancing the patient experience throughout the course of radiation therapy.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and maintain treatment rooms, linear accelerators, and related equipment for daily clinical use
• Escort patients and provide compassionate support, ensuring comfort and dignity throughout treatment visits
• Supports coordination of patient appointments in collaboration with clinical teams
• Adhere to all radiation safety, infection prevention, and institutional protocols
• Assist with departmental workflow optimization
• Maintain inventory of clinical supplies and ensure readiness of treatment areas
• Contribute to a collaborative, academic environment by supporting teaching and research activities as appropriate

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate degree in a healthcare-related field preferred
• Prior experience in a healthcare or clinical support role strongly preferred, ideally in oncology or radiology
• Basic knowledge of medical terminology and patient care practices
• Strong interpersonal skills with a commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary, academic healthcare environment
• Basic computer proficiency: experience with EMR systems preferred

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in radiation oncology or cancer care setting
• Familiarity with radiation safety practices
• CPR/BLS certification (or willingness to obtain)
• Interest in academic medicine, research, or healthcare advancement

Work Environment

• Fast-paced academic medical center with a focus on innovation, education, and clinical excellence
• Direct patient interaction in oncology treatment settings
• Requires adherence to strict safety and regulatory standards

Physical Requirements

• Ability to assist patients with mobility and positioning
• Prolonged standing, walking, bending, and lifting as needed in a clinical environment

Why Join Duke

• Work at a nationally recognized academic medical center known for excellence in oncology care
• Opportunities for professional growth, education, and career advancement
• Collaborative, mission-driven environment focused on improving patient outcomes and advancing medical knowledge

Reports To

Radiation Oncology Chief Therapist or Lead Radiation Therapist

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.