radiation therapist

Radiation Therapist

Duties and Responsibilities:

        Radiation therapist is a health care professional specialized in delivering therapy doses. They are involved in both planning and implementation of radiotherapy treatment for patients fighting various forms of cancer. To properly treat tumors, the correct dosage of radiation must be used to kill the cancer cells. It is the responsibility of a radiation therapist to use a variety of equipment to administer the exact amount of radiation required to optimize best treatment outcome. Technology is constantly evolving and with constant medical breakthroughs, the job of a radiation therapist is rapidly evolving as well.

Salary: $71,000- $113,000

Education:

 Many community colleges offer an Associate degree program and it can be completed in as little as two years.  There are also bachelors and masters degree programs focusing on radiation therapy.  Employment opportunities will increase if individuals possess a degree in radiology rather than just a 12-month certification. Please keep in mind that certification programs often require the applicant to possess a degree in another field prior to starting the program. For those who wish to pursue further education in this profession, they can advance in teaching, research positions, and technical sales. Some may choose to obtain certification through additional training and certification. Dosimetrists specialize in radiation dose calculations, calibration and maintenance of medical equipment used in radiation therapy.

Reflection: Do you think you would like to be one? Why? Why not?