Radiation Therapy Schools

Schools by State
for Radiation Therapists:

AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WA WI WV WY

Career Highlights for
Radiation Therapists

Training generally required for this career includes: Associate degree.

Jobs and Salary
Median Salary (2008)	$72,910
Unemployment Vs. Other Jobs	Very Low
Jobs (2006)	15,000
Job Growth (2006-2016)	24.8%
Jobs (2016 forecast)	18,000

Flexibility
Working Part-Time	10%
Self-Employed	0%

Education of Current Workers
Bachelor Degree or Higher	42%
Some College	55%
High School or Less	0%

Relevant Job Titles

(Supplied by experts and industry contributors for this career category)

Computed Tomography Simulation Therapist (CT Simulation Therapist)
Dosimetrist
Radiation Therapist
Radiation Therapy Technician
Radiation Therapy Technologist (RTT)
Radiologic Therapist
Radiology Therapist
Registered Radiation Therapist
Staff Radiation Therapist

Information Sources

BrainTrack's information on colleges and careers is drawn from many sources, including government databases, BrainTrack's own research, and results from original data analysis algorithms.

Radiation Therapist Job Description

Career tips, salaries, and lists of schools.

Patients who have cancer often receive radiation as a form of treatment in addition to chemotherapy or surgery. Machines called linear accelerators are used to direct high energy x-rays at specific cancer cells in a patient's body, shrinking or removing them. Radiation therapists operate linear accelerators as part of their role within a hospital's or cancer center's radiation oncology team.

Responsibilities of a radiation therapist usually include:

Simulating the procedure to determine the proper placement of the patient and linear accelerator
Developing a treatment plan by working with a physician who specializes in radiation therapy and a technician who calculates the proper dosage
Explaining the treatment plan to the patient and answering any questions
Applying treatment by properly positioning the patient and linear accelerator and conducting the procedure from a protected room
Monitoring a patient's condition and checking for adverse reactions
Communicating the status of the treatment and providing emotional support
Keeping detailed records
Making adjustments to the linear accelerator in cooperation with medical radiation physicists
Following standard safety procedures to prevent exposure to radiation

Radiation Therapy Degrees and Radiation Therapy Schools

Employers of radiation therapists usually require them to have a certificate, associate's degree or bachelor's degree from an accredited program in radiation therapy. Programs are available through hospitals, cancer centers, community colleges, vocational schools, colleges and universities. Candidates with a degree in radiography (radiological imaging) can become qualified by completing a 1-year certificate program.

The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) accredits radiation therapy educational programs.

Radiation Therapy Classes

Coursework for radiation therapy students combines time in class with supervised clinical experience. Courses include:

human anatomy and physiology
physics, algebra and pre-calculus
scientific theories behind radiation therapy procedures
clinical concepts in radiation oncology
simulation procedures and dose calculations
the application of radiation
fabrication of beam modification devices
low-volume, high-risk procedures
radiation protection and quality assurance
treatment planning and delivery
patient care and education

Online Radiation Therapy Classes and Programs

Online programs in radiation therapy are available and offer a convenient solution to busy students. However, these programs may not offer the supervised clinical experience and job placement assistance offered through most on-campus programs. Additionally, any program should be accredited through ARRT in order to qualify graduates for certification.

The Accreditation Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) accredits distance-learning programs.

Radiation Therapist Requirements

A two-year or four-year degree or certificate in radiation therapy from a program accredited by ARRT, and certification as a radiation therapist through ARRT, is required by most employers. In states that require licensure, although requirements vary, radiation therapists often need to be certified through ARRT.

How to Evaluate Radiation Therapy Schools

Asking the following questions can be helpful when evaluating radiation therapy programs:

Accreditation - Is the program accredited and in good standing with ARRT?
Focus - Does the program focus on preparing students for certification?
Class structure - Are classes small enough for optimal learning?
Practical experience - How much supervised clinical experience is required?
Tuition and financial aid - What grants, scholarships, work / study and student loan options are available to help with the cost of tuition?
Graduate success - What percentage of graduates were successfully certified over the past several years? Does the program offer practical job placement opportunities?

Relevant Schools That Respond Quickly to Info Requests Through This Site

School names link to detailed profiles. Use the Info from the School link to contact the school directly for more information. You may request information from as many schools as you like.

School	Campuses	Awards	Info
Argosy University	MN	Associate	Info From School

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