Find a Rewarding Career in Radiation Therapy

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, radiation therapists working in the growing healthcare industry should enjoy good job opportunities over the next few years. Radiation therapists can get the training they need to start their careers in only two to four years. They enjoy attractive working hours and a competitive salary.

On the Job as a Radiation Therapist

Radiation therapists are responsible for administering radiation treatment to patients battling cancer. The radiation helps to shrink the growth of cancerous tumors. One of radiation therapists' most important jobs is making sure that their patients feel safe and well-cared for during the procedure. If you enjoy working with people, you already have a big advantage.

Therapists work with complicated machinery, such as x-rays and linear accelerators, and they must make careful calculations to ensure that their patients receive the correct treatment. Most radiation therapists work normal 40-hour weeks, rather than the long shifts and unusual hours that plague much of the medical profession.

Training for Radiation Therapists

If you are interested in becoming a radiation therapist, you should consider earning a traditional or online high school diploma and then degree programs in radiologic technology or radiology. An associate's or bachelor's degree in one of these fields prepares you for most jobs. In a radiology or radiologic sciences program, you should take courses in algebra, anatomy, physiology, writing, and computer science, and you should learn how to operate the equipment that you will use on the job.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that radiation therapists make $57,700 per year on average. If you are looking for an interesting technical career that offers plenty of interaction with patients, radiation therapy might be a great choice for you.

Source:

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Radiation therapists"