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Radiation therapy technicians play a large part in helping patients beat cancer. Below, we'll explain what a radiation therapist does and how to become one.
What Does a Radiation Therapy Technician Do?
A radiation therapy technician is a medical provider that administers doses of radiation therapy to patients.
Radiation therapy uses radiation that's usually in the form of X-rays or an internal implant. It's almost exclusively used as a cancer treatment although can be used to treat some types of non-cancerous tumors.
Radiation therapists usually work as part of a cancer care team that includes oncologists, oncology nurses, and medical dosimetrists, who are responsible for determining the correct dosage of radiation.
Typical job duties of radiation therapists include:
- answering patient questions
- calibrating the radiation machine
- checking machines for safety
- determining the correct positioning of patients for treatment
- explaining treatment plans to patients
- keeping treatment records
- monitoring patients for adverse or unusual reactions to treatment
- operating the radiation machine
- protecting patients (and themselves) from improper radiation exposure
Radiation therapy technicians are there for some of the most difficult and vulnerable times in a patient's life. Technicians need to be able to comfort and connect with patients to help their therapy go smoothly.
Most radiation therapists work in hospitals, but some also work in physicians' offices or outpatient care centers.
Radiation Therapy Technician Educational Requirements
Improper exposure to radiation can be deadly, so radiation therapy technicians need special training to perform this therapy.
While certificate programs in radiation therapy are available, employers usually prefer to hire candidates with an associate's or bachelor's degree.
Students usually start with a radiation therapy degree. This degree teaches the basics of radiology.
You may also take courses that cover:
- anatomy and physiology
- effects of radiation exposure
- healthcare and medical ethics
- medical terminology
- patient care
Bachelor programs often dig a little deeper, providing courses on topics like dosimetry and oncology.
Radiation therapy programs often include clinical components, where students get hands-on experience in using radiation therapy.
Depending on the school, students may be required to first earn an associate in radiography before being eligible for a radiation therapy degree.
You can find a full catalog of accredited radiation therapy programs from the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).
Radiation Therapy Technician Certification and Licensure
The majority of states have some sort of licensure or certification requirements that you must meet before you can practice as a radiation therapy technician.
These requirements can vary quite a bit among states, so it's important to check the requirements of the specific state you plan to work in.
The primary certification for radiation therapy technicians is the Radiation Therapy credential from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
To become certified, you must first meet the following requirements:
- an associate degree or higher from an ARRT-approved radiation therapy program
- agree to uphold ethical expectations
- pass the radiation therapy exam
You'll take your exam via computer at a Pearson VUE testing center. The radiation therapy exam is made up of 230 total questions and you have 230 minutes to answer them.
Topics covered on the radiation therapy exam include:
- patient interactions and management
- patient and medical record management
- radiation physics and radiobiology
- radiation protection, equipment operation, and quality assurance
- treatment sites and tumors
- treatment volume localization
- prescription and dose calculation
- treatments
When you first finish your exam, you'll receive a preliminary test score. Within four weeks, you'll receive your official score report in the mail.
The report will detail how you did on each section of the exam. If you passed, you'll also receive your certification.
If you don't pass, you can retake the exam up to three times within a three-year span. You can use the exam report to brush up on the areas you struggled with.
Once you've obtained certification, you'll need to renew it every year. To do so, you must meet continuing education requirements. You'll receive information about those requirements after passing the exam.
Become a Radiation Therapy Technician Today
Working as a radiation therapy technician and helping treat cancer can be a very rewarding job. Learn more about education and certification requirements by contacting Best Accredited Colleges today.