Advanced Practice
     Radiation Therapy

Patient Care and the Radiation Therapy Profession

In Canada and the United Kingdom, advanced practice radiation therapists are experienced radiation therapists who perform clinical and patient care responsibilities while also receiving training and specialization in additional areas of practice under the guidance of a radiation oncologist as part of the task-sharing radiation oncology team. This advanced practice role creates a professional development clinical pathway for radiation therapists to grow their knowledge, skills and judgment through appropriate education and competency to provide an enhanced level of care. Internationally, APRTs follow a four-pillar model of clinical practice, leadership and management, education and training, and research and scholarship.

The APRT role is not formally established in the United States at the national level. This webpage serves as a repository of resources for institutions that might be implementing the APRT role locally.

ASRT Leading the Way in Open Communication and Intersocietal Dialogue

Following the 2024 Consensus Committee on the Future of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, ASRT led a work group with the goal of articulating career pathways in radiation therapy and medical dosimetry.

This work group included appointees from the American Society for Radiation Oncology, American College of Radiology, American Association of Physicists in Medicine, American Association of Medical Dosimetrists, American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, Elekta, Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board, Siemens Healthineers, Society for Radiation Oncology Administrators and the grassroots APRT Working Group, which has since been integrated formally into ASRT’s volunteer structure. In 2026, ASRT published a white paper outlining the activities of this work group.

Later in 2026, ASRT published an educational framework from a different work group led by Maria Dimopoulus, Ph.D., M.B.A., R.T.(T), which provides guidance for individual education programs considering formal tracks or degrees for radiation therapist professional development or APRTs so that any proposed education aligns with the guidance set forth by the white paper.

Currently, ASRT hosts an APRT Think Tank moderated by Samantha Skubish, M.S., R.T.(R)(T), which focuses on current research, research ideas, and related communication, and an APRT Community Group facilitated by Clodagh Starrs, M.Sc. for radiation therapist professional development and APRTs to discuss clinical and technical skills based on local institution need, research participation, leadership growth, and emphasis on education.

ASRT continues to shape the national conversation around growth and development opportunities for radiation therapists based on emerging technologies and person-centered care. Radiation oncology teams value each professional role for the different practice areas and skills they bring to treating patients. For more information, please contact [email protected].

  •  Clinical practice
  •  Leadership and management
  •  Education and training
  •  Research and scholarship

Credit: Society and College of Radiographers

APRTs who are educationally prepared and clinically competent can currently establish recognition by completing the appropriate training and education within their institution’s task-sharing framework under the guidance of a radiation oncologist, functioning in all four pillars of the framework, and following state laws and institutional policies.

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