How to Become a Radiation Therapist
A radiation therapist is crucial in the treatment of cancer patients. If you have a strong passion for assisting others, enjoy working with advanced technology, and seek a fulfilling career in the healthcare sector, this might be the ideal job for you.
According to BusinessInsider.com, A radiation therapist is the 7th highest-paying job on the list of the 40 best jobs. You can become a radiation therapist without obtaining a bachelor’s degree. And U.S. News & World Report includes the occupation in its ranking of Top Healthcare Careers.
Northwestern Health Sciences University (NWHSU) is committed to preparing students for careers in healthcare. This guide explores the path to becoming a radiation therapist, offering valuable insights into the profession. It explains what a radiation therapist does. It also describes the qualifications needed for the job and covers how long the training takes.
The guide also shows the benefits of a career in radiation therapy. It gives tips on how to choose the right program for this career.
What is a radiation therapist?
A radiation therapist is a medical professional that has crucial role in cancer patient treatment and care. Radiation Therapists deliver radiation to targeted areas of a cancer patient’s body.
A radiation therapist is an important part of a healthcare team. They work closely with radiation oncologists and other doctors. They also collaborate with medical dosimetrists, nurses, and other healthcare specialists.
Offering both physical and emotional support to patients is a crucial aspect of a radiation therapist’s duties. Patients usually receive radiation therapy from Monday to Friday. This treatment lasts about two to seven weeks, depending on the cancer type and plan.
As a result, radiation therapists tend to develop a closer relationship with patients than professionals in other healthcare fields. Additionally, it is typical for radiation therapists to have frequent interactions with the patients’ family members.
A radiation therapist’s job responsibilities include incorporating learned medical imaging techniques and technology to guide radiation treatment.
A radiation therapist also helps to answer patient questions and concerns during treatment. Also important is to assess the physical and emotional condition of patients throughout the treatment process. Additionally, radiation therapists provide guidance to patients on how to manage and minimize potential side effects of radiation therapy.
Educational requirements to become a radiation therapist
There are several educational pathways for those interested in becoming radiation therapists. Many individuals pursue an associate degree program, such as the Associate of Science in Radiation Therapy offered by NWHSU.
For those who already hold an associate degree in a related field, like radiologic technology, certificate programs in radiation therapy are available. Certificate programs can also be pursued by individuals with a bachelor’s degree in any discipline. Additionally, there are bachelor’s degree programs specifically tailored to radiation therapy.
What prior education do you need to enroll in a radiation therapist program?
A high school diploma or GED is generally the only education you need to enroll in a radiation therapy program, although programs may require a minimum cumulative GPA.
Note that there may be additional admission steps, such as submitting a personal essay, providing professional references, and passing a criminal background check.
How long do you have to go to school to be a radiation therapist?
Depending on the ultimate credential you earn—a certificate, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree—a radiation therapist program can vary in length from approximately one to four years.
To obtain an Associate of Science in Radiation Therapy from NWHSU, for instance, you will need to complete a 27-month program, comprising five trimesters of coursework and two trimesters of clinical internship.
Your actual completion time will take longer if you opt to take courses on a part-time basis. Alternatively, the program can take less time if you have credits that transfer.
What classes do you take to become a radiation therapist?
For more detailed information, check out this curriculum list, which also includes course descriptions.
How do you become certified to be a radiation therapist?
To practice as a radiation therapist, you need to be registered with The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
By completing a radiation therapy program approved by the ARRT, you will then be able to sit for the ARRT’s registry exam for radiation therapy. Once you pass that exam, you will be a registered radiologic technologist certified in radiation therapy.
Note that, depending on where you practice, you may need to meet a state’s licensure requirements. According to the ARRT, “[S]ome—but not all—states require you to be certified and registered through ARRT before you can obtain a state license.”
Can radiation therapists make good money?
As noted above, radiation therapist is #7 on BusinessInsider.com’s list of The 40 Highest-Paying Jobs You Can Get Without a bachelor’s degree. That’s one indicator of just how financially rewarding this profession can be.
Keep in mind that salary estimates vary widely from one region of the country to another.
You also want to take into account workplace benefits like health insurance and retirement plans—as well as stress levels, work/life balance, and the opportunities for professional development.
Finally, no matter how “good” the pay is, the job has to be the right fit for you. If you don’t find it enjoyable and rewarding, it can be increasingly difficult to perform at your best, which is ultimately what your patients need and deserve.
Benefits of becoming a radiation therapist
1. Highly valued profession with a promising future
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a faster than average growth rate for the radiation therapist profession between 2018 and 2028.
Cancer risk generally goes up with age. As the current Baby Boomer generation ages, there will likely be an increased demand for radiation therapists.
This demand can also be attributed to improved cancer detection and evolving treatment technologies that require the expertise of a radiation therapist.
2. Help people through a career in healthcare
If you’ve been interested in joining the healthcare field but have been concerned about the time and expense of pursuing a bachelor’s or advanced degree, becoming a radiation therapist may be an excellent option for you. In just over two years, you can start a rewarding career in a field that offers the opportunity to deliver potentially life-saving treatment to cancer patients.
As a radiation therapist, you’ll work closely with patients, providing compassionate care and using your expertise and communication skills to support them through their health challenges. This career also offers a deep sense of personal satisfaction from helping others and allows you to play a key role as part of an interdisciplinary cancer treatment team.
3. Create a foundation for further credentials and other directions in healthcare
As a registered radiation therapist, you’ve completed what the ARRT calls a “primary eligibility pathway.”
Further enhance your skill set through “post primary pathways” and earn additional certifications in various medical imaging procedures, such as bone densitometry, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and vascular sonography. These certifications allow you to broaden your expertise and advance your career in the healthcare field.
Importantly, these do not require completing additional programs or acquiring more degrees.
Rather, you’ll need to complete continuing education units (CEUs), often available through online courses, demonstrate competency by performing the procedures under supervision in a professional setting, and then take the requisite certification exam.
The education, training, and experience of a radiation therapist can also be a valuable foundation for pursuing paths such as:
- Healthcare management roles (which may require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree)
- Other healthcare professions such as a physician assistant (which would require a professional degree)
- Medical device sales and training positions
The education, training, and experience of a radiation therapist can provide a strong foundation for pursuing various career paths including healthcare management roles. This strong foundation can also be applied if you want to return to school. NWHSU offers a Post Baccalaureate Prehealth Program for those looking to build upon their education towards a career as a PA or MD.
4. Great work schedule
5. Work in a steady-paced, satisfying environment
Radiation therapists find their job pace satisfying. The work keeps you busy, focused, and productive without creating high-stress conditions. The role also offers a balance of variety and consistency. Your patients and the specific radiation procedures you use will vary daily and you can count on each day moving quickly!
6. Be an expert in using cutting-edge medical technology
Advances in radiation therapy continue to help improve its effectiveness. As a radiation therapist, you’ll be on the front lines of cancer treatment, working daily with cutting-edge medical technology.
The next step: Review radiation therapy programs and find the best one for you
You’ll want to weigh a number of factors as you consider radiation therapist programs—and ask lots of questions. Here are some of the most important.
Program accreditation
When a program is accredited, that means it’s been reviewed by an outside education authority to verify that it meets specific requirements and standards for educational quality.
For example, at NWHSU the Associate of Science in Radiation Therapy program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.
Program flexibility
Program flexibility is important when considering where to which Radiation Therapy school to choose. Ask about the class structure and how often classes meet and whether those classes are in-person or online. Some programs may have different answers and handle their lecture and laboratory portions differently. Think about how you like to learn and factor that into your decision-making process.
At NWHSU our courses are offered in a hybrid format. That means some lecture and pre-lab activities can be completed online when it best fits into a student’s schedule.
Meanwhile, other classroom and lab components are integrated within the same on-campus class period.
This allows students to learn about practices and procedures through direct instruction, followed immediately by demonstration and hands-on practice. This format is effective for reinforcing learning.
Also, full-time radiation therapy students at NWHSU typically only need to be on campus two days a week.
Instructor-to-student ratio
Find out about your class sizes. Your preparation to become a radiation therapist should involve an extensive amount of hands-on work. Smaller class sizes will make it much easier to get valuable one-on-one attention.
Supportive learning environment
Speak with current students to see how accessible and responsive instructors and other faculty are to answer questions and provide extra support to help you succeed.
You’ll also benefit from a program in which you can practice procedures in a comfortable, supportive setting under the supervision of helpful instructors.
What kind of equipment does the program provide?
Since the hands-on component of your radiation therapy education is so critical, make sure to inquire about the instrumentation and technology that you’ll have access to for on-campus training.
At NWHSU, students gain valuable training experience by using a simulated 3D linear accelerator, the primary technology radiation therapists use on a daily basis.
Radiation therapy school cost
A program in radiation therapy should be as transparent as possible as it clearly lays out its fees. As you consider cost, be sure to consider all the other indirect expenses that will be involved in attending.
Make sure you incorporate financial concerns into your search early on. The best place to start is with a school’s financial aid specialists. Afterwards, research the school-sponsored scholarships and external scholarships.
Finally, here’s an important caveat as you research programs: Don’t simply look for the lowest cost. Remember that the value you gain from attending a given program will depend a lot on how well it prepares you to be a successful professional.
The best programs not only deliver subject matter. They also help you develop both the hands-on technical skills and the patient communication skills that are integral to being an effective radiation therapist.
