Radiation therapists are medical professionals who treat cancer patients with high-energy radiation. They’re part of an oncology team, which is a group of doctors and nurses who specialize in treating cancer-related illnesses and diseases. The radiation therapist is a member of this team who is in charge of administering the prescribed treatment and keeping accurate records. Education and experience are required for each of the four primary classes of radiation therapy jobs. Assistant radiation therapy technologists, senior radiation therapy technologists, associate radiation therapy technologists, and chief radiation therapy technologists are among those who work in this field.
Only radiation therapy technologists are allowed to work without being supervised a senior technologist. A one-year certificate program or a two-year associate program in radiology is required to obtain this entry-level position. Individuals who want to advance their careers should choose the two-year option, though a four-year bachelor’s degree is the best option.
Senior radiation therapy technologists, unlike assistant technologists, can work independently. A senior technologist is in charge of advising and directing the work of a team of assistant technologists. Senior technologists also look into issues, offer friendly solutions, and ensure that broken equipment is repaired. Depending on the region, such radiation therapy jobs require an associate’s degree, a license, and one to two years of field experience.
Radiation therapy technologists who work as associates are essentially managers. They assist the chief technologist in managing multiple teams of senior and assistant technologists, though they may perform some actual radiation duties on occasion. Radiation therapy jobs are more scarce, and they are mostly found in larger hospitals with associate and chief technologists. The educational requirements are the same, as are the requirements for at least three years of industry experience.
At a large medical hospital campus, a chief radiation therapy technologist oversees all of the radiation therapists. Hiring, training, scheduling, coaching, evaluating, and disciplining subordinate therapists are all part of this process. In addition, the chief technologist must ensure that everyone follows the proper safety and quality standards. This is a highly competitive field with good pay that requires at least four years of field experience, though most chiefs have between ten and twenty years.
Most people who want to work in radiation therapy will have to start as an assistant. Senior level entry into the industry may be possible for those with a four-year degree, certification, and internship experience. Regardless, through hard work, dedication, and patience, anyone can eventually rise to the position of associate or chief.