Radiation Therapist

Pathway- Therapeutic
By: Hannah Ebben hr. 5A

Job description/Duties

Radiation therapists treat cancer and other diseases in patients by administering radiation
treatments.

Duties:

Explain treatment plans to the patient and answer questions about treatment

Follow safety procedures to protect the patient and themselves from overexposure to radiation

Examine machines to make sure they are safe and working properly

X ray the patient to determine the exact location of the area requiring treatment

Check computer programs to make sure the machine will give the correct dose of radiation to the
appropriate area of the patient's body

Operate the machine to treat the patient with radiation

Monitor the patient to check for unusual reactions to the treatment

Keep detailed records of treatment

Work Setting

Most therapists work in hospitals, offices of physicians, and outpatient

centers.

Radiation therapists are on their feet for long periods and may need to lift or
turn disabled patients. These procedures usually require therapists to stand in
a different room while the patient undergoes radiation procedures.

Most radiation therapists work full time. Because radiation therapy

procedures are usually planned in advance, radiation therapists keep a
regular work schedule.

Personal Characteristics Needed

1)

Problem Solver- because you might have a compilation that needs correction
quickly

2)

Critical Thinker- you need analytical skills to work in a highly complex work
environment

3)

Communication Skills- you have to be able to speak and write to preform

successfully

4)

Compassion- so the patients know they are cared for and have someone to fall
back on

5)

Sensitivity- people might say or act a way that you have to be sensitive to

6)

Empathy- for their loved ones and friends and the patient

7)

Patience- these people arent on a time schedule so you need to be patient

8)

Respectful- you need to be respectful of the choses other people make

9)

Self Control- if a patient dies that you worked with you have to be able to
move on and control your emotions

10)

Responsible- you need to fulfill your duties and care for your patient the right
way

Education Needed

You may qualify by completing a 12 month certification program

Otherwise you need either a associates degree or a bachelors degree in

radiation therapy courses may include human anatomy and physiology,
physics, algebra, computer science and research methodology

In most states you need to be licensed and be certified by the American

Registry of Radiologic Technologist

Schools you can go to:

Broward College- Radiation Therapy

Ball State University- Radiation Therapy

University of South Australia- Radiation Therapy

College of Southern Nevada

Wages and Benefits

The hourly wage for a radiation therapist is at the lowest is $25 and the
highest is $55

The average annual wage is $79,000 the lowest you can earn is $53,000 and
the highest is $114,900

Fringe benefits such as vacation, health insurance and retirement plans will
vary depending on the work setting and size of the employer. A typical
benefits package is worth over $20,000 per year

Employment Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for radiation

therapists was expected to increase 24% from 2012-2022. Besides hospitals,
outpatient care centers and physician's offices are major employers

In 2015 there is not a very good outlook for jobs but is expected to increase in
the future

Personal Assessment

I think this occupation would be right for me because I fit a lot of the personality
traits I have a big interest in Radiation Therapy and I think I will be able to handle
the amount of education needed.

I think I fit the personal characteristic because I am caring and am empathetic but
not to the point where if a patient died I would be able to control my emotions
and I am responsible and will try my best to make the patient feel comfortable
and cared for

I have a interest in radiation therapy and I think my interest will help me focus
and strive for my goals and will help me succeed in the future and to get good
grades or try hard to get scholarships so I can do something I will look forward to
doing everyday

I think I will be able to get the amount of education done in time and I believe I
can handle the amount where I will want to continue education and finish it

A Day In The Life Of A Radiation

Therapist

You start your day by calibrating the equipment and getting they running properly and you take assurance
x-rays to ensure the treatment beam is accurate and then start scheduled patient appointments

Your role is focused on the patient you help them with treatment sessions and assist with their physical
and mental needs. You explain the procedure and make sure they understand and are positioned correctly
and are comfortable. Then when you begin treatment you monitor the patient and the tumor the whole
procedure. You establish a patients breathing pattern after treatment is done you ensure the patient is
well informed and ask if they have any questions

You also assist the physicians team by following doctors prescription and make sure the target radiation
dose is delivered accurately. You attend weekly meetings and review patient charts for quality assurance
and attend monthly equipment meetings to brainstorm for new methods for patient care

http://www.newjerseyck.com/2013/11/day-in-the-life-radiation-therapist/

Links for Radiation Therapy Video and

Interview

http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/treatmenttypes
/radiation/video/cancerquest-radiation-therapy

http://www.nsta.org/publications/news/story.aspx?id=49339

Works Cited

"Radiation Therapist." Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook

Handbook, 8 Jan. 2014. Web. 6 Jan. 2015.
<http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bls.gov%2Fooh%2Fhealthcare%2Fradiationtherapists.htm%23tab-2>.

"Work Environment." Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook

Handbook, 8 Jan. 2014. Web. 6 Jan. 2015.
<http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bls.gov%2Fooh%2Fhealthcare%2Fradiationtherapists.htm%23tab-3>.

"School of Radiation Therapy: What Characteristics Make a Good Radiation

Therapist." Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Memorial Sloan
Kettering Cancer Center, 2014. Web. 15 Jan. 2015.
<http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mskcc.org%2Feducation%2Fschool-radiationtherapy%2Fwhat-characteristics-make-good-radiation-therapist>.

Kesler, Jesse. "Radiation Therapy Salary." Health Career Salary Online.

Google, 2006. Web. 15 Jan. 2015.
<http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcaresalaryonline.com%2Fradiation-therapistsalary.html>.

Works Cited Cont.

"Radiation Therapist: Occupational Outlook and Career Summary." Education

Portal. Education Portal, 2003. Web. 15 Jan. 2015.
<http%3A%2F%2Feducationportal.com%2Farticles%2FRadiation_Therapist_Occupational_Outlook_and_Car
eer_Summary.html>.