Radiation Therapist

Become A Radiation Therapist

Are you a scientific-minded person interested in learning about cutting-edge cancer treatment technologies? If you also have the patience and empathy needed to work with cancer patients, you might think about becoming a radiation therapist.

Radiation Therapy in a Nutshell

Radiation therapists work as part of a radiation oncology team and administer radiation to treat cancerous cells in the human body. Treatment involves the use of machines called linear accelerators that concentrate high-energy x-rays at cancer cells, which can arrest the growth of cancerous tumors.

Radiation therapists also monitor patients for adverse physical reactions during the treatment process. Radiation therapy is often used concurrently with chemotherapy and surgery to treat cancer patients.

Education Requirements for Radiation Therapists

Employers generally seek candidates who have earned a bachelor's or associate's degree in radiation therapy, or who have completed an associate's or bachelor's program in radiography—the study of radiation therapy—followed by a yearlong certificate program in radiation therapy.

Some states require radiation therapists to be licensed by a state accrediting board, while many states and employers require radiation therapists to be certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), which involves completing an accredited radiation therapy program and passing an ARRT certification exam. Certification lasts for one year, at which point radiation therapists must be enrolled in continuing education classes and adhere to AART ethical standards, as well as pay annual dues, to remain certified. Not all states require certification renewal, however.

Day in the Life of a Radiation Therapist

Radiation therapists generally work regular 40-hour weeks in hospitals or cancer treatment centers.

Therapists spend most of their time on their feet; they must help lift or move disabled patients, position patients on examining tables, use x-ray imaging machines to pinpoint tumors and adjust the linear accelerator to target cancerous tissues—a process which can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes per patient. However, their hard work is rewarded with gratitude and appreciation for the emotional and physical progress made by patients with their help.

While radiation therapists work in clean and sterile environments, they must also follow careful safety procedures to avoid exposure to dangerous levels of radiation.

Job Growth for Radiation Therapists

The demand for radiation treatment is expected to intensify as the US population grows, radiation technology improves and baby boomers succumb to age-related cancers and illnesses. Because of these factors, employment for radiation therapists is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through 2014.

Get Your Radiation Therapy Degree Today!