Radiographers and radiation therapists both work around radiation in a medical setting.
Radiographers accounted for approximately 214,700 jobs in the United States in 2008, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, as compared to radiation therapists, who filled roughly 15,200 positions. Hospitals were the largest employers of both types of medical professionals at that time, with approximately 61 percent of radiographers and 70 percent of radiation therapists working in such facilities.
Function
Also called radiologic technicians, radiographers operate X-ray machines that produce detailed diagnostic images of patients' bodies. They must position patients correctly and safely while ensuring that all metal items are removed from the patient's body, appropriate protective covering is used, radiation exposure is kept at safe levels and the X-ray equipment functions properly.
Radiation therapists help their colleagues on a radiation oncology team treat patients suffering from cancer. Their responsibilities include providing patients with required radiation medications, monitoring treatment progress, maintaining patient records and operating linear accelerator machines that administer doses of radiation to patients.
Education
Most radiographers have a two-year associate degree in radiography, although certificate and bachelor's degree programs in radiography are also available. Employers prefer programs with Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology accreditation, where students typically receive classroom and clinical instruction in such subjects as imaging principles, positioning patients, radiation protection, medical terminology, anatomy and radiobiology.
Radiation therapists can acquire a bachelor's or associate degree in radiation therapy. They can also complete either degree in radiography and supplement it with a 12-month certificate program in radiation therapy. Courses usually include study of anatomy, mathematics, physiology, procedural and theoretical issues in radiation therapy, computer science and research methodology.
Credentials
Radiographers and radiation therapists can both obtain a voluntary certificate from the professional organization American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, or ARRT. Certification requires graduation from an accredited program and successful completion of the ARRT examination. Although radiographers and radiation therapists don't have to become licensed to practice in every state, those states with mandatory licensing usually require candidates to pass ARRT's certification examination. Licensing rules vary among states that require a license.
Occupation Outlook
Both radiographers and radiation therapists will experience above-average employment growth through 2018, predicts the U.S. Department of Labor. The first profession will likely grow about 17 percent and the second a substantially higher 27 percent. Job growth for radiographers will probably be due to factors such as higher demand for diagnostic images as the U.S. population ages and insurers' increasing attempts to reduce health care costs through earlier diagnosis of medical conditions. More radiation therapist positions may become available due to the aging population's greater need for treatment and the growing prevalence of radiation technology as it improves.
Salary
In May 2008, the median yearly income of radiographers and radiation therapists was $52,210 and $72,910, respectively, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Radiographers employed in Massachusetts and Nevada earned the highest mean annual wages ($67,240 and $64,560, respectively), while radiation therapists who worked in New Jersey and California earned the top mean annual wages for that profession ($92,260 and $86,620, respectively).
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