Radiation Therapist

Radiation Therapy School Florida

What’s It Like Being a Radiation Therapy Tech

Radiation therapy is a fast-growing field. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, radiation therapy is expected to grow 13% by 2026, much faster than the average of other careers.

What Is Radiation Therapy?

Radiation therapy is often prescribed by oncologists to treat patients with cancer or other diseases. Using beams of energy through x-ray, protons or other types of energy, radiation kills cancer cells at the source. A radiation machine aims a beam at a point in the body, destroying the material that causes cells to grow and divide.

Radiation therapy can be used to treat almost every type of cancer found in the body. It might be prescribed to shrink a tumor, stop the growth of remaining cells after surgery and in combination with chemotherapy.

What Do Radiation Therapists Do Every Day?

Radiation therapists are responsible for a wide range of tasks associated with the medical practice of radiation therapy. For example, as a radiation therapist, you might:

  • Prepare and sterilize radiation therapy rooms and equipment
  • Monitor patients and document their radiation treatments
  • Position patients correctly for treatment
  • Administer radiation therapy correctly to patients

As a radiation therapist, you’ll also be responsible for educating your patients on how radiation therapy works and what they can expect during their treatments. Often, these treatment plans are emotional times for patients, and you must be a helping hand throughout the process.

Requirements for Becoming a Radiation Therapist

To become a radiation therapist or radiation therapy technician, you must first attend an accredited radiation therapy program such as the one offered through Cambridge. You’ll also need to complete an externship or hours of clinical work to practice your skill in a real-world setting.

Following successful completion of the program, you can take the ARRT Registry Examination for employment in the field. Most employers require ARRT certification before employment.

Learn More About Our Radiation Therapy Program

If you’re ready to make a career out of helping patients recover and overcome trying medical conditions, a radiation therapy program is a great next step to consider. To learn more about our radiation therapy program, give us a call at 877-206-4279.

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