Good job opportunities are expected; applicants who are certified
and who possess a bachelor’s or an associate degree or a certificate
in radiation therapy should have the best prospects.
Employment is projected to grow faster than average.
Radiation therapists need good communication skills because
their work involves a great deal of patient interaction.
Nature of the
Work
Radiation therapy is the use of radiation to treat cancer
in the human body. As part of a medical radiation oncology
team, radiation therapists use machines—called linear accelerators—to
administer radiation treatment to patients. Linear accelerators,
used in a procedure called external beam therapy, project
high-energy x-rays at targeted cancer cells. As the x-rays
collide with human tissue, they produce highly energized ions
that can shrink and eliminate cancerous tumors. Radiation
therapy sometimes is used as the sole treatment for cancer,
but usually is used in conjunction with chemotherapy or surgery.
The first step in the radiation treatment process is called
simulation. During simulation, a radiation therapist uses
an x-ray imaging machine to pinpoint the location of the tumor.
The therapist also may use a computerized tomography or CT
scan to help determine how best to direct the radiation to
minimize damage to healthy tissue. The therapist then positions
the patient and adjusts the linear accelerator so that, during
treatment, radiation exposure is concentrated on the tumor
cells. The radiation therapist then develops a treatment plan
in conjunction with a radiation oncologist (a physician who
specializes in therapeutic radiology), and a dosimetrist (a
technician who calculates the dose of radiation that will
be used for treatment). The therapist later explains the treatment
plan to the patient and answers any questions that the patient
may have.
After simulation, the radiation therapist positions the patient
and adjusts the linear accelerator to mirror the conditions
that were established in simulation. Then the therapist leaves
the room to administer the radiation treatment. From a separate
room that is protected from the x-ray radiation, the therapist
operates the linear accelerator and monitors the patient’s
condition through a TV monitor and an intercom system. Treatment
can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes and is usually administered
once a day, 5 days a week, for a period of 2 to 9 weeks.
During the treatment phase, the radiation therapist monitors
the patient’s physical condition to determine if any adverse
side effects are taking place. In addition, the therapist
must be aware of the patient’s emotional condition. Because
many patients are under stress, and are emotionally fragile,
it is important for the therapist to maintain a positive attitude
and provide emotional support. Radiation therapists also must
keep detailed records of their patients’ treatments. These
records include information such as the dose of radiation
used for each treatment, the total amount of radiation used
to date, the area treated, and the patient’s reactions. Radiation
oncologists and dosimetrists review these records to ensure
that the treatment plan is working, to monitor the amount
of radiation exposure that the patient has received, and to
keep unwanted side effects to a minimum.
Radiation therapists also assist medical radiation physicists,
who keep the linear accelerator working. Because radiation
therapists often work alone during the treatment phase, they
need to be able to check the linear accelerator for problems
and make any adjustments that are needed. Therapists also
may assist dosimetrists, who calculate the amount of radiation
for each treatment. Therapists may perform the routine aspects
of this process, called dosimetry, which involves complex
mathematical computations.
Working Conditions
Radiation therapists work in hospitals or in cancer treatment
centers. These places are clean, well lighted, and well ventilated.
Therapists do a considerable amount of lifting and must be
able to help disabled patients get on and off treatment tables.
Therapists also work on their feet most of the time. Therapists
generally work 40 hours a week, and, unlike other health care
occupations, they normally work only during the day. However,
because radiation therapy emergencies do occur, some therapists
are required to be on call and may have to work outside of
their normal hours.
Because they work around radioactive materials, radiation
therapists take great care to ensure that they are not exposed
to dangerous levels of radiation. Following standard safety
procedures can prevent overexposure.
Training, Other
Qualifications, and Advancement
Employers generally require applicants to complete an associate
or a bachelor’s degree program in radiation therapy. Individuals
also may become qualified by completing an associate or a
bachelor’s degree program in radiography, which is the study
of radiological imaging, and then completing a 12-month certificate
program in radiation therapy. Radiation therapy programs have
core courses on radiation therapy procedures and the scientific
theories behind these procedures. In addition, such programs
often include courses on human anatomy, human physiology,
physics, algebra, precalculus, writing, public speaking, computer
science, and research methodology.
Some States require that radiation therapists be licensed
by a State accrediting board. Some States, as well as many
employers, also require that radiation therapists be certified
by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
In order to become ARRT-certified, an applicant needs to complete
an accredited radiation therapy program, adhere to ARRT ethical
standards, and pass the ARRT certification examination. In
2005 there were 94 accredited radiation therapy programs.
While enrolled in an accredited radiation therapy program,
students who wish to become ARRT-certified must take classes
that are related to the subject matter of the certification
examination. The certification examination covers radiation
protection and quality assurance, clinical concepts in radiation
oncology, treatment planning, treatment delivery, and patient
care and education. Candidates also must demonstrate competency
in several clinical practices, which include patient care
activities; simulation procedures; dosimetry calculations;
fabrication of beam modification devices; low-volume, high-risk
procedures; and radiation treatment procedures.
AART certification is valid for 1 year, after which therapists
must renew their certification. Requirements for renewal include
abiding by the ARRT ethical standards, paying the annual dues,
and satisfying the continuing education requirements. Continuing
education requirements must be met every 2 years and include
either the completion of 24 credits of radiation therapy-related
courses or the successful attainment of ARRT certification
in a discipline other than radiation therapy. Renewed certification,
however, may not be required by all States or employers that
require initial certification.
Individuals interested in becoming radiation therapists should
be psychologically capable of working with cancer patients.
They should be caring and empathetic because they work with
patients who are ill and under stress. Individuals also need
good communication skills because their work involves a great
deal of patient interaction. They should be able to keep accurate,
detailed records. They also should be physically fit because
they work on their feet for long periods and lift and move
disabled patients.
Experienced radiation therapists may advance to manage radiation
therapy programs in treatment centers or other health care
facilities. Managers generally continue to treat patients
while taking on management responsibilities. Other advancement
opportunities include teaching, technical sales, and research.
With additional training and certification, therapists also
can become dosimetrists, who use complex mathematical formulas
to calculate proper radiation doses.
Employment
Radiation therapists held about 15,000 jobs in 2004. About
84 percent worked in the health care industry, primarily in
hospitals and in physicians’ offices. Another 13 percent worked
for State and local governments.
Job Outlook
Good job opportunities are expected. Applicants who are certified
and who possess a bachelor’s or an associate degree or a certificate
in radiation therapy should have the best prospects.
Employment of radiation therapists is projected to grow faster
than average for all occupations during the 2004-14 period.
As the U.S. population grows and ages, demand will increase
for radiation treatment. As radiation technology advances,
radiation treatment will be prescribed for an increasing proportion
of cancer patients. In addition to new jobs created over the
projection period, a number of job openings will result as
experienced radiation therapists retire or leave the occupation
for other reasons.
Earnings
The median annual earnings of radiation therapists in May
2004 were $57,700. The middle 50 percent earned between $47,380
and $69,650. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,550,
and the highest 10 percent earned more than $83,340. Some
employers also reimburse their employees for the cost of continuing
education.
Related Occupations
Radiation therapists use advanced machinery to administer
medical treatment to patients. Other occupations that perform
similar duties include radiation technologists and technicians,
diagnostic medical sonographers, nuclear medicine technicians,
dental hygienists, respiratory therapists, physical therapy
assistants and aides, registered nurses, and physicians and
surgeons.
Besides radiation therapists, occupations that build relationships
with patients and provide them with emotional support include
nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides; counselors; psychologists;
social workers; and social and human service assistants.
Sources of Additional Information
Information on certification by the American Registry of
Radiologic Technologists and on accredited radiation therapy
programs may be obtained from:
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, 1255
Northland Dr., St. Paul, Minnesota 55120-1155. Internet:
http://www.arrt.org/web
Information on careers in radiation therapy may be obtained
from:
American Society of Radiologic Technologists, 15000 Central
Ave., SE., Albuquerque, NM 87123-3917. Internet: http://www.asrt.org/
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics,
U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook,
2006-07 Edition,
