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What Can You Do With a Radiation Therapy Degree?
Radiation therapy is a rewarding field, full of career opportunities. This life-saving therapy is used to help patients struggling with cancer take back their life. And with a career in radiation therapy, you’ll be a critical part of that goal.
Cambridge offers an Associate of Science in Radiation Therapy program to students ready to enter the field. Yet, what can you do with a Radiation Therapy degree? Which career path is right for you? Answers to your questions are below.
Career Options With a Radiation Therapy Degree
The field of radiation therapy is highly specific to cancer treatment. If this is the field you’ve chosen to pursue, you have two main career options to choose from: radiation therapist and radiation oncologist.
Radiation Therapist
Radiation therapists are the hands-on members of the cancer care team. They spend their time supporting oncologists by providing therapy directly to patients.
You’ll run the machines, position patients for therapy and administer the right doses of radiation. You’ll also be responsible for maintaining the radiation equipment and taking careful treatment notes.
Perhaps the most important part of your job is supporting patients emotionally and physically through their cancer treatment. You’ll be their guide as well as their shoulder as they get back on their feet.
Education Requirements
To become a radiation therapist, you’ll need to obtain an Associate of Science in Radiation Therapy degree. This can be done in two years from start to finish through Cambridge.
Dosimetrist
Medical dosimetrists work side-by-side with radiation therapists. They spend their time designing, measuring and calculating radiation doses for treatment. They also oversee radiation treatment to ensure accurate dosage is provided.
As a dosimetrist, you’ll work to deliver the most effective radiation therapy to patients while minimizing side effects. This is done by using a 3D computer program that allows you to plan radiation treatment using models of the human body.
You’ll use your analytical skills to develop calculations based on physics and human anatomy. Once your plan is complete, the oncologist will review the plan and then determine whether or not to proceed.
Education Requirements
To become a dosimetrist, you’ll need to first obtain an Associate of Science in Radiation Therapy, which is offered here at Cambridge. From there, you’ll need to obtain your Bachelor’s degree and certification in dosimetry.
Get Started Today by Calling Cambridge
Ready to start your new career in radiation therapy? We’re ready to help you reach your career goals! To learn more about our Radiation Therapy program or to apply to the program today, give us a call at 877-206-4279 or send us a message.
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