A radiation therapist is a relatively new medical career. The use of radiation in the treatment of illness is not new but the way in which it is used to treat cancer is developing all the time.
Cancer is still a terminal illness in too many cases but radiation has shown some positive results in the efforts to change these statistics. People are surviving cancers that were previously considered terminal after having radiation therapy on its own or in conjunction with surgery and chemotherapy.
What does a radiation therapist do?
A radiation therapist is an integral part of the oncology team. They get involved in the treatment of the patient from start to finish. They are involved in the planning stage where they can use 3d imaging to plan the right amount and type of radiation. They may be involved in making molds to help deliver the radiation to the correct area. You cannot just radiate healthy cells. You need to target the cancer itself but leave the surrounding healthy tissues alone as much as possible. This is especially important when you are dealing with brain cancer as nuking healthy brain cells can have a devastating effect on the patient's quality of life. Some people would prefer to die from cancer than to be left in a vegetative state following a mistake in their treatment.
So how do you become a radiation therapist?
Some radiation therapists started life as an x-ray technician but decided to take additional study courses in radiation so they could specialize in oncology. Others may have worked as a cardiovascular technician but decides that they prefer the challenge offered by oncology. You don't need to have been a medical professional as you can study to become a radiation therapist by gaining an associate or baccalaureate degree. You need to gain your certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Make sure any courses you take have been accredited by the ARRT so that your study counts towards the educational requirement for certification.
Cancer is still a terminal illness in too many cases but radiation has shown some positive results in the efforts to change these statistics. People are surviving cancers that were previously considered terminal after having radiation therapy on its own or in conjunction with surgery and chemotherapy.
What does a radiation therapist do?
A radiation therapist is an integral part of the oncology team. They get involved in the treatment of the patient from start to finish. They are involved in the planning stage where they can use 3d imaging to plan the right amount and type of radiation. They may be involved in making molds to help deliver the radiation to the correct area. You cannot just radiate healthy cells. You need to target the cancer itself but leave the surrounding healthy tissues alone as much as possible. This is especially important when you are dealing with brain cancer as nuking healthy brain cells can have a devastating effect on the patient's quality of life. Some people would prefer to die from cancer than to be left in a vegetative state following a mistake in their treatment.
So how do you become a radiation therapist?
Some radiation therapists started life as an x-ray technician but decided to take additional study courses in radiation so they could specialize in oncology. Others may have worked as a cardiovascular technician but decides that they prefer the challenge offered by oncology. You don't need to have been a medical professional as you can study to become a radiation therapist by gaining an associate or baccalaureate degree. You need to gain your certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Make sure any courses you take have been accredited by the ARRT so that your study counts towards the educational requirement for certification.
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