Job Description for Chief Radiation Therapist
Radiation therapists administer treatments for cancer using focused beams of radioactive energy. A chief radiation therapist is the professional who oversees all of the other therapists that work in a hospital or outpatient care facility.
Function
Chief radiation therapists monitor the quality of patient care in order to prevent mistakes and ensure that all staff follow necessary safety regulations. Chief radiation therapists rarely perform therapies, but must be prepared to so in case of a staff shortage.
Features
Chief therapists typically hire, train, schedule, coach, evaluate and discipline radiation therapists. The chief therapist serves as a resource to subordinates and is available to answer questions that arise about treatments and communicate any concerns about patients' progress to their respective physicians.
Education and Experience
Most employers require chief radiation therapists to have several years of experience working as a basic radiation therapist. To enter the field, therapists typically must have a minimum of an associate's degree in radiation therapy.
Licensure and Certification
Most states require all radiation therapists to take a written licensing examination before working in the field. Additionally, employers typically prefer chief therapists to have certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, which requires the completion of an additional written exam.
Compensation
As of February 2010, the average annual salary of chief radiation therapists was $120,000, according to Indeed.com.
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