Radio Therapy
A radiation therapist primarily works with patients being treated for cancer. She or he records a patient's medical information, locates tumors using x-rays and develops treatment plans within the guidelines set by a supervising radiologist and others on the cancer patient's oncologic team. Read on to learn more details about this profession.
Career Definition
A radiation therapist uses beams of radiated light to locate and treat cancerous tumors according to the plan prescribed by a radiologist and oncologist. They are also responsible for the safety of their patients, for observing and documenting any reactions to treatment, updating charts and answering any radiology related questions a patient might have. It is also the duty of a radiation therapist to maintain equipment and follow all safety regulations regarding radiation exposure.
Because radiation therapists work with cancer patients of all ages they must be empathetic to the suffering of others, yet maintain a professional demeanor. Those seeking a career in radiotherapy must also be able to move or lift patients who may be disabled by their illness. Due to the potentially hazardous material they work with, radiation therapists must be meticulous in following guidelines for safety procedures.
Required Education
Most employers require that job applicants have completed a 2- or 4-year program in radiation therapy or a degree in radiography combined with a 1-year program in radiation therapy. Topics studied in these programs include physics, algebra, computer science and human anatomy.
Job Outlook
Employment of radiation therapists is projected to grow 24 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. However, because it is a small occupation, the fast growth will result in only about 4,500 new jobs over the 10-year period.
Alternate career choices can be a medical sonographer or a registered nurse.
Colleges Offering:
Colleges in Karnataka:
Career Definition
A radiation therapist uses beams of radiated light to locate and treat cancerous tumors according to the plan prescribed by a radiologist and oncologist. They are also responsible for the safety of their patients, for observing and documenting any reactions to treatment, updating charts and answering any radiology related questions a patient might have. It is also the duty of a radiation therapist to maintain equipment and follow all safety regulations regarding radiation exposure.
Because radiation therapists work with cancer patients of all ages they must be empathetic to the suffering of others, yet maintain a professional demeanor. Those seeking a career in radiotherapy must also be able to move or lift patients who may be disabled by their illness. Due to the potentially hazardous material they work with, radiation therapists must be meticulous in following guidelines for safety procedures.
Required Education
Most employers require that job applicants have completed a 2- or 4-year program in radiation therapy or a degree in radiography combined with a 1-year program in radiation therapy. Topics studied in these programs include physics, algebra, computer science and human anatomy.
Job Outlook
Employment of radiation therapists is projected to grow 24 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. However, because it is a small occupation, the fast growth will result in only about 4,500 new jobs over the 10-year period.
Alternate career choices can be a medical sonographer or a registered nurse.
Colleges Offering:
Colleges in Karnataka:
- Father Mullers Institue of Medical Education and Research, Mangalore
- Kasturba Medical College, Manipal
- Vydehi Institute Of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Bangalore
- M S Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore
Colleges in Maharashtra:
- Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sevagram, Wardha
- Rural Medical College, Loni
Radio Therapy
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