Radiation Therapist
Radiation therapists are specialized healthcare professionals who administer radiation therapy treatments primarily for cancer patients, working under the supervision of radiation oncologists. They play a vital role in the patient care process, which includes interpreting radiation prescriptions, operating sophisticated equipment, and ensuring patient comfort and safety during treatment sessions. The occupation typically requires an associate's degree in radiography or radiation therapy, and it emphasizes the importance of skills such as compassion, detail orientation, and effective communication.
Radiation therapists often work in clean, well-regulated environments like hospitals and oncology centers, where they may encounter varying work hours. Their duties not only involve direct patient care but also administrative responsibilities such as scheduling appointments and maintaining accurate treatment records. The role can be physically demanding and requires strong mental and emotional resilience due to the nature of working with patients facing serious health challenges. With a median annual salary of approximately $98,300, this profession offers a stable career choice within the health science field, appealing to individuals interested in radiography, biology, and patient care.
Radiation Therapist
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Health Science
Interests: Radiography, anatomy, biology, physiology, pathology, patient care
Earnings (Yearly Median): $98,300 per year, $47.26 per hour (2023)
Employment & Outlook: 2 percent (As fast as average)
Entry-Level Education Associate's degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work.Radiation therapists are radiologic technologists who specialize in administering radiation therapy as a treatment for cancer under the guidance and supervision of radiation oncologists. They are trained to read radiation prescriptions, maintain and operate radiation equipment, assist physicians in identifying and locating tumors or masses, and care for patients during and after radiation treatment. They are also responsible for keeping accurate records of the times and amounts of radiation exposure.
Work Environment. Radiation therapists spend their workdays in hospitals, oncology centers, and radiologists’ offices. These medical settings are usually clean, bright, and temperature controlled. Radiation therapists generally work forty-hour weeks, which may include days, evenings, weekends, and on-call hours. They may be at risk for backaches, injuries from machine accidents, or exposure to radiation.
Occupation Interest. Individuals drawn to the profession of radiation therapist tend to be compassionate, analytical, and detail-oriented. Radiation therapists need physical strength, stamina, and good hand-eye coordination to maneuver patients and operate medical equipment. They should find satisfaction in working in a medical environment and solving complex problems. Mental and emotional strength is also essential, as the work requires constant interaction with people who are very ill and may be distraught.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Radiation therapists may be generalists or may specialize in treatment planning, computed tomography simulation, dosimetry, tumor localization, radiation protection, linear accelerator modification, or high-risk procedures. In general, they help provide radiation treatments to cancer patients.
To determine a treatment plan, radiation therapists assist radiation oncologists with tumor or mass identification and localization. They also sometimes assist a radiation oncologist or dosimetrist in making radiation dosage decisions. Prior to treatment, therapists must prepare and sterilize specialized radiation equipment called linear accelerators and review the radiologist’s or oncologist’s prescription to determine the type and extent of treatment required. While administering targeted and localized radiation therapy treatments, a radiation therapist is responsible for ensuring patient comfort and safety. They instruct patients on how and where to position themselves to improve treatment efficacy and minimize patient and staff exposure to radiation. The radiation therapist must also monitor patients for adverse reactions during treatment and educate them about the side effects, such as hair loss and vomiting. After treatment sessions, the radiation therapist must report all sessions and side effects to patient oncology teams, notify biomedical equipment technicians or hospital engineers of any radiation equipment failures, and dispose of radioactive medical waste in accordance with US Nuclear Regulatory Commission safety guidelines and regulations.
Radiation therapists are often charged with administrative duties in addition to their clinical responsibilities. They may work with office staff to plan and schedule radiation therapy appointments, greet patients and explain the role of radiation therapy treatments, and document the date, time, amount, and type of radiation therapy treatment administered in each session.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Radiation therapists prepare and administer radiation therapy to patients in hospitals, oncology centers, and radiologists’ offices.
Human Environment. Radiation therapists should be comfortable interacting with patients, physicians, laboratory technicians, nurses, scientists, and office staff. Due to the sensitive nature of radiation therapy and cancer treatment, therapists should be empathetic, tactful, and committed to patient confidentiality. Cooperation and communication between radiation therapists and other members of a patient’s oncology care team is essential.
Technological Environment. To administer treatments, radiation therapists use linear accelerators, computers, lathes, radiation dosimetry or dosage charts, patient positioning straps, radiation shields, protective aprons and clothing, radiation detectors, closed-circuit cameras, and intercoms. They may also use photo imaging software to evaluate results, radiation dose calculation programs to determine dosing, and electronic medical records to document treatment.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students interested in pursuing a career as a radiation therapist should study anatomy and physiology, biology, physics, communications, computer science, psychology, and mathematics, which will provide a strong foundation for college-level work in the field. Students should also consider seeking internships or part-time work in medical settings.
Postsecondary. Postsecondary students interested in becoming radiation therapists should work toward an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in radiography or radiation therapy from a program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). These programs typically include coursework in anatomy and physiology, research, pathology, patient care, treatment planning, dosimetry, radiation equipment and procedures, and ethics. Postsecondary students can gain hands-on work experience through clinical internships or co-op experiences.
Related Occupations
Bibliography
"Radiation Therapists." O*NET OnLine, 6 Aug. 2024, www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1124.00. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.
"Radiation Therapists." US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/radiation-therapists.htm. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.