The
field of cancer treatment and radiation requires the strongest and most skilled
radiation therapists in the industry; attending radiation therapy school is the
first step towards a rewarding and successful radiation career, and programs are
designed to teach students essential skills for treating disease, working with
patients, and excelling in a laboratory or research clinic environment.
A
radiation therapist is primarily involved with designing and implementing
treatment plans to treat cancer by using the ionizing radiation process. A
radiation therapy technologist works with a health care team to coordinate
treatment programs, document results, and complete protocols and procedures at
each stage of treatment. Since the diagnosis, treatment, and administration
process can be an extensive procedure, radiation therapy jobs require formal
training and professional development from a radiation therapy school. Both the
radiation therapist and radiation therapy technologist can gain the skills,
knowledge, and certification needed through a variety of radiation therapy
schools and lifelong education programs.
What is Radiation
Therapy?
Radiation therapy is the process of implementing ionized radiation to treat
cancer and other diseases using a special procedure and equipment. Radiation
therapy equipment is often comprised of an external beam that projects x-rays at
cancer cells and the entire treatment process goes through a set of phases. A
skilled radiation therapist is needed at each stage of treatment. Radiation
therapy stages include:
1.
Simulation
2.
Administration of radiation treatment
3.
Treatment phase
The simulation phase requires the radiation therapist to use various computer
data and software programs to determine the amount of radiation to use on the
cancerous tissue. This is often developed alongside a radiation oncologist, and
a radiation therapy technologist who is may consult with the patient on the
procedure and answer any questions.
The administration phase involves projecting the laser beam on to the patient
and may be administered on a specific schedule. This can last between 2-9 weeks,
and the radiation therapist is responsible for protecting the patient from
harmful x-rays and monitoring the entire process.
The treatment phase involves understanding the patient's reaction to the
administration process and monitoring results. The radiation therapist must be
acutely aware of the patient's health, mental state, and any emotional issues
that may result from the treatment. At this stage, the radiation therapy
technologist may also aid with recordkeeping, data management, reporting, and
documenting each process.
Radiation Therapy
Jobs and Types of Positions
Radiation therapy
jobs and types of positions include:
- Radiation
Therapist
- Radiation
Therapy Technologist
- Radiation
Oncologist
- Radiation
Therapy Team Supervisor
- Radiation
Therapy Treatment Research
- Radiation
Therapy Educator
- Radiation
Therapy Equipment Sales Representative
Radiation Therapy
School: Programs and Curriculum
Radiation therapy schools offer a formal Radiation Therapy Program where
students can gain hands=on experience in a simulation clinic and laboratory
setting, and integrate their knowledge of essential clinical areas throughout
their course of study. Students of a radiation therapy school are encouraged to:
-
Provide outstanding patient care
-
Adopt essential professional skills in different clinical settings
-
Advance
in their knowledge and education with lifelong education opportunities
-
Excel in their field of radiation therapy with ongoing professional
development
-
Develop strong communication and interpersonal skills for success throughout
their radiation career
A portion of the radiation therapy school programs may also include clinical
trials and direct interaction with patients. Students learn the protocol and
procedures for radiation administration and treatment, and are supervised with
the aid of a staff radiation therapist or oncologist. Students can gain
extensive experience in all areas of radiation oncology with:
-
Clinical training that includes Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT),
Brachytherapy, Hyperthermia, and Leksell gamma knife radiosurgery
-
Didactic training that is comprised of a full-time, instructional program
-
Off-site rotations that allow students to develop skills in a real-life
setting
Common course programs available at radiation therapy schools include:
-
Cross-sectional Anatomy
-
Pathology
-
Patient Care in Radiation Oncology
-
Health Care Finance
-
Dosimetry and Treatment Planning
-
Fundamentals of Pharmacotherapy
Radiation Career
Training and Qualifications
A successful radiation career begins with at least an associates or a bachelor's
degree in radiation therapy, and most students attending radiation therapy
school are required to complete a variety of assessments and examinations in the
areas of radiological imaging, human physiology, research methodology, and human
anatomy. Not all States require a radiation therapist to be licensed, but both a
radiation therapy technologist and radiation therapist can become professionally
certified with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). ARRT
certification is valid for one year, and requires radiation therapy students to
complete various classes related to the certification examination such as:
-
Radiation protection
-
Quality assurance
-
Clinical concepts in radiation oncology
-
Treatment delivery
-
Patient care and education
-
Simulation procedures
-
Understanding and implementing high-risk procedures
-
Radiation treatment procedure and protocol
Radiation Therapy
Career Potential and Employment Prospects
Radiation therapy career opportunities and job prospects look promising,
especially for students who choose to excel in their career and continue with
professional development in their field. Radiation therapy jobs and related
fields are expected to grow faster than average through 2014; the median annual
earnings for a radiation therapist were $57,700 in 2004. Related radiation
therapy job options may include:
-
Radiation therapy technician
-
Radiation therapy technologist assistant
-
Diagnostic medical sonographers
-
Nuclear medicine technicians
-
Physicians and surgeons
-
Registered nurses
-
Respiratory therapists
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