Become a Radiation Therapist

Have you ever thought about becoming a radiation therapist? The first thing that you may have asked regarding this profession is what exactly they do? A radiation therapist helps treat cancer patients using radiation. Typically the radiation is used to reduce or eliminate a tumor. This profession is in high demand by cancer centers, hospitals, and clinics. By understanding the job description of a radiation therapist, you figure out whether this is the right career path for you.

In radiation therapy high beams of energy are used to destroy cancer cells. By destroying the cancer cells it can also prevent the cancer cells from multiplying. Usually, chemotherapy and surgery are used in combination with radiation treatment. Although the radiation therapy machines are quite advanced, doctors still need to figure out how to deliver the radiation to kill the cancerous cells while not harming the good tissue. A plan is drawn up between the oncologist and the radiation therapist that would most benefit the patient.

When the patient receives radiation therapy, the radiation is usually given in small doses every day over several weeks. The radiation can be used internally or externally. Before starting the treatment, the radiation therapist and the oncologist work together to figure the details of administering the treatment. They simulate the treatment process first using all the necessary equipment. This allows the therapist to calibrate the equipment correctly. The radiation beams are directed in different directions in order to maximize the treatment plan. The simulation can take up to one hour to complete and it would allow the therapist to figure out how to set up the correctly to treat the patient. After the simulation is done, the real treatment would begin on the patient.

The different types of radiation therapy used by hospitals include Intracavitary Brachytherapy, Interstitial Brachytherapy, Image Guided Radiation therapy, and stereotactic radiosurgery. Depending on which treatment the doctor recommends, the radiation therapist would have to administer that type of treatment.

Pursing a career in radiation therapy is a very rewarding career. Not only would you be able to help many people, but you would also reap some great benefits financially.