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Radiation Oncologist

Kaimātai Mate Pukupuku

Radiation oncologists provide radiation treatment and management of patients with cancer and other medical conditions.

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Secondary education

A tertiary entrance qualification is required to enter further training. Useful subjects include biology, chemistry, English, maths and physics.

Study fields

Study levels

  • Master's degree and above
  • Bachelor's degree

Useful experience

Useful experience for radiation oncologists includes:

  • work in hospitals or other health-related work, such as in a clinic
  • work caring for people.

What you will do

Radiation oncologists may do some or all of the following:

  • talk to patients about their symptoms and illnesses, and examine them
  • study x-rays, images and medical reports
  • discuss various treatment options with patients and their families
  • plan how to manage the patient's illness
  • treat the patient using radiation therapy
  • monitor, support and care for patients during and after treatment
  • write reports on the treatment of patients for general practitioners and other medical specialists
  • teach trainee radiation oncologists
  • carry out research.

Skills and knowledge

Radiation oncologists need to have knowledge of:

  • cancer and how to treat it
  • anatomy and how the human body works
  • different diseases and illnesses
  • radiation treatments, and how these affect patients
  • new research, treatments and practices
  • medical ethics and law.
Pay

Trainee radiation oncologists can earn

$64K-$205K

per year

Radiation oncologists can earn

$170K-$251K

per year

Job opportunities
Good
Chances of getting a job as a radiation oncologist are good due to growing demand for treatment by an ageing population.
Length of training
13
years of training required.

Industry

Health

Radiation oncologists provide radiation treatment and management of patients with cancer and other medical conditions.

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

To become a radiation oncologist you need to:

  • complete the Health Sciences First Year programme at Otago University, or the first year of either the Bachelor of Health Sciences or Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science at Auckland University
  • complete a five-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) degree at Otago or Auckland University
  • work for two years as a house officer (supervised junior doctor) in a hospital
  • complete another five years as a registrar with specialist training and examinations to become a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists.

You also need to be registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand.

The Vulnerable Children Act 2014 means that if you have certain serious convictions, you can’t be employed in a role where you are responsible for, or work alone with, children.

Chances of getting a job

Chances of getting work as a radiation oncologist are good due to:

  • an ageing population with more health problems
  • gaps left as radiation oncologists leave to work overseas.

Radiation oncologist appears on Immigration New Zealand's Green List. This means the Government is actively encouraging skilled radiation oncologists from overseas to work in New Zealand.

According to the Census, 27 radiation oncologists worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Radiation oncologists work for public and private hospitals

Radiation oncologists work in public or private hospitals, or a combination of both, and may also work in university medical schools.

Find out more about training

Medical Council of New Zealand 
0800 286 801 - enquiry@mcnz.org.nz - www.mcnz.org.nz
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists 
(04) 472 6470 - www.ranzcr.edu.au

Progression and specialisations

Radiation oncologists may progress to jobs in areas such as:

  • teaching trainee radiation oncologists
  • clinical director roles
  • research.

Working conditions

Radiation oncologists:

  • usually work regular business hours, but may work long hours and be on call
  • work in hospitals, clinics and private practices
  • work in conditions that may be stressful, as they deal with seriously ill patients
  • travel to conferences locally or overseas.

Physical Requirements

Radiation oncologists need to have good eyesight (with or without corrective lenses).

Useful personal qualities

Radiation oncologists need to be:

  • able to make good decisions, and solve problems
  • excellent at analysis and interpretation
  • good at managing time
  • motivated and disciplined
  • able to work well under pressure
  • good at communicating and inspiring confidence in others
  • understanding of other cultures' attitudes to medical treatment.

Industry

Health

Radiation oncologists provide radiation treatment and management of patients with cancer and other medical conditions.

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