Radiation Therapists

Summary

Radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases in patients by administering radiation treatments.

Quick Facts: Radiation Therapists
2010 Median Pay	$74,980 per year $36.05 per hour
Entry-Level Education	Associate’s degree
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	None
On-the-job Training	None
Number of Jobs, 2010	16,900
Job Outlook, 2010-20	20% (Faster than average)
Employment Change, 2010-20	3,400

What Radiation Therapists Do

Radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases in patients by giving radiation treatments.

Work Environment

Most radiation therapists work in hospitals or cancer treatment centers.

How to Become a Radiation Therapist

Radiation therapists need to complete a formal training program. Most programs lead to a bachelor’s degree or an associate’s degree in radiation therapy. Therapists must be licensed in most states; requirements vary by state.

Pay

The median annual wage of radiation therapists was $74,980 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of radiation therapists is expected to grow by 20 percent between 2010 and 2020, faster than the average for all occupations.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of radiation therapists with similar occupations.

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Contacts for More Information

Learn more about radiation therapists by contacting these additional resources.

What Radiation Therapists Do

Radiation therapists work in healthcare facilities or cancer treatment centers.

Radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases in patients by giving radiation treatments.

Duties

Radiation therapists typically do the following:

• Examine machines to make sure they are safe and work properly
• Explain treatment plans to the patient and answer questions about treatment
• Follow safety procedures to protect the patient and themselves from overexposure
• X-ray the patient to determine the exact location of the area requiring treatment
• Check the computer programs to make sure that they will give the correct dose of radiation to the correct area of the patient's body
• Operate the equipment to treat the patient with radiation
• Monitor the patient to check for unusual reactions to the treatment
• Keep detailed records of treatment

Most radiation therapy uses machines called linear accelerators. These machines direct high-energy x rays at specific cancer cells in a patient's body, shrinking or removing them. 

Radiation therapists are part of the oncology team that treats patients with cancer. They often work with the following specialists:

• Radiation oncologists, physicians who specialize in radiation therapy
• Oncology nurses, nurses who specialize in patients with cancer
• Radiation physicists, physicists who calibrate linear accelerators
• Dosimetrists, workers who calculate the correct dose of radiation to use in the treatment

Work Environment

Radiation therapists keep detailed records of the treatment given to patients.

Radiation therapists held about 16,900 jobs in 2010. Radiation therapists work in healthcare facilities or cancer treatment centers. Radiation therapists are on their feet for long periods and may need to lift or turn disabled patients. Because they work with radiation and radioactive material, radiation therapists must follow safety procedures to make sure that they are not exposed to a potentially harmful amount of radiation. This restriction usually means standing in a different room while the patient undergoes radiation procedures.

Work Schedules

Most radiation therapists work full time. Because radiation therapy procedures are usually planned in advance, radiation therapists keep a regular work schedule.

How to Become a Radiation Therapist

Radiation therapists must be licensed in most states.

Radiation therapists need to complete formal education programs. Most programs lead to a bachelor’s degree or associate’s degree in radiation therapy. Radiation therapists must be licensed in most states; requirements vary by state.

Education

Although candidates may qualify by completing a 12-month certificate program, employers usually prefer to hire applicants who have an associate’s or a bachelor's degree in radiation therapy.   

Radiation therapy programs include courses in radiation therapy procedures and the scientific theories behind them. In addition, these programs often include courses in human anatomy and physiology, physics, algebra, computer science, and research methodology. 

Licenses and Certification

In most states, radiation therapists must have a license. Requirements vary by state. To be licensed, radiation therapists must usually graduate from an accredited radiation therapy program and be certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). To become ARRT certified, an applicant must complete an accredited radiation therapy program, adhere to ARRT ethical standards, and pass the ARRT certification exam. The exam covers radiation protection and quality assurance, clinical concepts in radiation oncology, treatment planning, treatment delivery, and patient care and education.

Important Qualities

Detail oriented. Radiation therapists must follow exact instructions and input exact measurements to make sure the patient is neither underexposed nor overexposed to the radiation.

Interpersonal skills. Radiation therapists work closely with patients. Because radiation therapists see their patients on a recurring basis, it is important that they be comfortable interacting with people who may be going through difficult physical and emotional stress.

Science and mathematical skills. Radiation therapists must understand anatomy, physiology, and other sciences. They may also need to mix the right dose of chemicals used in imaging procedures.

Stamina. Radiation therapists must be able to be on their feet for long periods and be able to lift and move patients who need assistance.

Technical skills. Radiation therapists work with computers and large pieces of technological equipment, so they must be comfortable operating those devices.

Advancement

Experienced radiation therapists may advance to manage radiation therapy programs in treatment centers or other healthcare 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.

Pay

The median annual wage of radiation therapists was $74,980 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $50,950, and the top 10 percent earned more than $110,550.

Most radiation therapists work full time. Because radiation therapy procedures are usually planned in advance, radiation therapists keep a regular work schedule.

Job Outlook

Employment of radiation therapists is expected to grow by 20 percent between 2010 and 2020, faster than the average for all occupations.  However, because it is a small occupation, the fast growth will result in only about 3,400 new jobs over the 10-year period.

The risk of cancer increases as people age, so an aging population will increase demand for radiation therapists. Early diagnosis and the development of more sophisticated treatment techniques will also increase employment.

Contacts for More Information

For information about radiation therapists, visit

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists

American Society of Radiologic Technologists