A radiation therapist uses high dose radiation to treat cancer and other diseases
in a process called radiation therapy (also referred to as radiation oncology).
Once an individual is diagnosed with cancer (or a similar disease) a treatment plan
must be developed. Treatment plans usually consist of one or all of the following:
surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is the treatment
plan most often used and is delivered by members of a radiation oncology team.
Physicians (radiation oncologists), radiation physicists and
dosimetrists work together to determine the dose of the radiation,
where the radiation beams should be targeted, and how often treatments are needed.
Radiation therapists actually administer the radiation treatments.
During radiation therapy, the radiation therapist operates a treatment machine
called a linear accelerator. The linear accelerator projects high beam radiation
at tumors in an effort to either kill the cancerous cells, control the spreading
of the disease, and/or to alleviate pain. When the radiation hits the patient?s
tissue, it produces ions that attack the tumor cells. The radiation therapist
will position the patient under the linear accelerator, set the treatment machine
up, and shoot the beam of radiation. Radiation therapists must be perfectionists
during the entire treatment process to minimize the amount of damage to healthy
tissues near a tumor.
Radiation therapists work in a variety of settings to include hospitals and cancer
treatment centers.
In terms of education, this position requires an individual to complete an
accredited educational program in the field of radiation therapy. There are
three options to choose from including certificate programs (approximately
one to two years in length), associate degree programs (approximately two
years in length) and bachelor degree programs (approximately four years in length).
An individual should attend an educational program that is accredited by an
appropriate agency such as the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic
Technology.
After the education process is complete, an individual may become a registered
radiation therapist by passing a national examination given by a nationally
recognized organization such as the
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
Employers often require this certification in order to become employed.
In the state of Ohio, radiation therapists must also be licensed by the
Ohio Department of Health. For additional information on radiation therapy as a
career, please visit
The American Society of Radiologic Technologists. Please use the links provided
below to learn more about specific educational programs pertaining to this field.
