Radiation Therapy Technologist

Print

Work Tasks

• Give radiation therapy to patients following the doctors' exact instructions
• Make sure safety procedures are followed
• Get patients ready for treatment by putting them in the right position and covering areas of the body which do not need to be radiated
• Run the equipment and watch patients for side effects; keep patient records
• Work for hospitals, clinics, cancer centers, health maintenance organizations, labs, diagnostic imaging centers, private practices, and the government
• Work with high-energy linear accelerators with electron capabilities, treatment devices, protection gear, radioactive materials, patient records, reports, and files

Salary, Size & Growth

• $66,500 average per year ($32.00 per hour)
• A small occupation (16,600 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow rapidly (2.7% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 2-year degree in radiation therapy or radiography
• Employers Prefer: A 4-year or master's degree in radiation therapy
• Skills/Courses: College courses include radiation therapy, human anatomy, human physiology, physics, algebra, precalculus, writing, computer science, and research methodology
• Certification/Licensing: Some states require that radiation therapists be licensed.