Radiation therapists
treat cancer by using X-ray technology.
Radiation therapists work as part of a radiation oncology team to carry out radiation treatment through the use of a linear accelerator, which targets cancerous tumors with X-ray beams. Before performing radiation therapy, professionals in this field use a CT scan to determine the exact location of the cancer, so a radiation oncologist can determine the duration of radiation exposure a patient needs per treatment session. Radiation therapists can begin working in this highly paid profession as soon as they complete at least a two-year program. The good salary, along with a promising career outlook, are among the pros of becoming a radiation therapist.
Employers
Hospitals, physicians and outpatient cancer treatment centers employee the majority of radiation therapists in the United Sates, with 70 percent of all professionals in this field employed by hospitals, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Job opportunities may also exist in teaching radiation therapy and in laboratories. Radiation therapists normally work a total of 40 hours per week, often during day shifts. An employer may require that a radiation therapist remain on call in the event a rare radiation therapy emergency happens.
Training
Employers of radiation therapists often require at least an associate degree in radiation therapy or an associate degree in radiography and completion of a 12-month program focused on radiation therapy. Therapists interested in management positions may decide to complete a bachelor's degree program in radiation therapy. Certification qualifications vary by state and employer, but most radiation therapists need to complete a written and clinical exam administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists to attain certification before seeking employment.
Duties
Radiation therapists work directly with patients suffering from cancer, and many therapists find providing radiation treatment rewarding, according to the BLS. The radiation therapist performs treatment sessions lasting 10 to 30 minutes and interacts with patients frequently via an intercom system to calm them and make sure that no adverse reactions occur during the treatment session.
Salary
Radiation therapists earned an average annual salary of $75,450 and an average hourly wage of $36.28 as of May 2008, according to the BLS. Radiation therapists employed in states that include California and New Jersey earn higher than the national average wage, with the average salary ranging between $86,620 and $92,260, as of May 2008.
Promising Career Outlook
The BLS predicts that job opportunities in radiation therapy will increase by 27 percent from 2008 through 2018, which is higher than the national average for other occupations. As U.S. citizens age and technological advances in radiation therapy advance, the medical profession will need more radiation therapists to perform treatment on patients with cancer. Radiation therapists holding bachelor degrees may have an easier time finding employment.
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