Ionizing radiation is used a radiation therapist to treat cancer patients. Therapeutic radiographers and radiotherapists are other names for radiation therapists. Radiation technicians and radiation therapy technicians are two terms that are used interchangeably. These terms only apply to the technician who is in charge of the radiation machines. Radiation therapists not only operate radiation equipment, but they also interpret radiation prescriptions, develop radiation therapy treatment plans, and then put those plans into action for cancer patients.
An allied health professional is a radiation therapist. These health professions, unlike doctors, do not necessitate a medical degree. Allied health care careers, on the other hand, are an important part of any well-functioning healthcare system. Allied health care professionals include kinesiotherapists, midwives, and optometrists. Medical physics, social work, and rehabilitation counseling are some of the other fields.
The qualifications for becoming a radiation therapist vary country. A student must first complete high school or obtain a general education development (GED) credential in the United States. In most cases, the student will then attend two years of technical school and receive a certificate as a radiation therapist. A bachelor’s degree or an associate’s degree are also available in some programs. The type of certification or degree awarded is determined the program and institution.
The therapist must then pass a state board exam to be licensed to practice after receiving certification. The exam assesses the student’s understanding of human anatomy, radiation physics, and cancer psychology. Therapists must also be able to operate and troubleshoot radiation equipment, even if the equipment is operated a technician.
Patients typically begin radiation therapy after their radiation oncologist, a medical doctor who specializes in the use of radiation to treat cancer, has prescribed it. With the help of a radiation physicist, who is specially trained to measure and administer radioactive materials, the therapist then plans the patient’s treatment course. The therapist observes and adjusts the course of treatment based on the patient’s reaction during treatment, which can last several weeks.
A radiation therapist can specialize in a number of areas of practice. Brachytherapy is a type of radiotherapy in which the radioactive source is inserted into the patient near the cancer site. Brachytherapy is typically used to treat cancers that are localized, such as cervical and prostate cancer. Another option is radiosurgery, which is a type of noninvasive surgery that uses ionizing radiation beams.