How to Become a Radiation Therapist
Do you have a passion for helping people? Is a career in the healthcare field calling your name? Consider learning how to become a radiation therapist, and you can play an important role in saving lives and helping cancer patients recover.
As a radiation therapist, you can take satisfaction in helping patients recover from cancer and manage their symptoms. Plus, you can enjoy a high-paying and in-demand career. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 6% increase in new radiation therapist positions over the next decade.
Ready to learn how to become a radiation therapist? Read on to find out what requirements you’ll need to meet, how much radiation therapists earn, and how to begin your job search.
What Is a Radiation Therapist?
A radiation therapist is an allied health professional who uses radiation oncology to treat cancer patients. Radiation therapists are also called therapeutic radiographers and radiotherapists. Most radiation therapists work full-time in hospitals, physicians’ offices, and outpatient care clinics. Since radiation therapy is scheduled in advance, radiation therapists maintain regular daytime, Monday-through-Friday work schedules.
The most common types of treatments radiation therapists administer include:
- External Beam Therapy: This is the most commonly used radiation therapy and involves applying concentrated doses of radiation to tumors.
- Proton Therapy: This type of radiation therapy uses protons to target solid, localized tumors near healthy and sensitive tissue.
- Brachytherapy: Brachytherapy involves implanting radioactive material inside the body at or near the site of a tumor.
What Does a Radiation Therapist Do?
Radiation therapists are part of oncology teams and provide doses of radiation therapy to cancer patients. They operate linear accelerators (also called LINAC) to deliver highly charged protons, electrons, and X-rays to cancerous tumors and cells. Radiation therapists aim to shrink or eliminate tumors over time.
The common day-to-day duties of radiation therapists include:
- Providing treatment plan information to patients and families.
- Implementing safeguards to prevent improper radiation exposure.
- Determining tumors’ locations.
- Ensuring patients are correctly positioned for radiation treatment.
- Monitoring patients for adverse or unusual reactions.
- Keeping detailed records of radiation treatment.
How to Become a Radiation Therapist
To become a radiation therapist, you’ll need at least an associate or bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy. Depending on which state you live in, you’ll likely need to obtain an accredited certificate and state-issued license to be eligible for a radiation therapist job.
The soft skills typically required for a radiation therapist job include:
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Attention to detail.
- Empathy and compassion for patients and their families.
Below, we describe how long it takes to become a radiation therapist and the three key steps to get there. For more information on what employers look for in radiation therapists, check out this job description sample.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Radiation Therapist?
It generally takes between two and four years to become a radiation therapist. But that depends on which post-secondary degree you pursue, when you obtain your certificate, and which state you live in.
We’ll walk you through the steps you’ll need to take to become a radiation therapist.
Step 1. Complete Your Radiation Therapist Education
If you’ve decided to become a radiation therapist, you’ll need to first start with an accredited college education. Most employers will only hire candidates with an associate or bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy. Some employers may consider candidates who have completed a college certificate program in radiation therapy.
When pursuing a degree, you can expect to take courses in:
- Radiation oncology
- Anatomy
- Pathology
- Dosimetry
- Treatment planning
- Radiobiology
- Radiation production
Additionally, you should complete a clinical practicum or internship where you’ll receive hands-on training at a hospital or healthcare clinic.
An associate degree typically takes two years to complete, while a bachelor’s degree often takes four years.
Step 2. Obtain Radiation Therapist Certification
Once you’ve completed a college degree, you’ll need a radiation therapist certificate. Most states require it. But even in the states that don’t, most employers will only hire certified radiation therapists.
The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) offers the most widely recognized certificate and registration program available. To be eligible for ARRT radiation therapist certification, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:
- Earn at least an associate degree in radiation therapy.
- Familiarize yourself with and adhere to the ARRT standards of ethics.
- Pass the ARRT radiation therapy exam.
The ARRT radiation therapy exam contains 200 items and covers patient care, safety, and radiation therapy procedures. You need to answer 75% of the items correctly to pass the exam. See ARRT’s content specifications for the radiation therapy exam to prepare and get insight into what to expect.
Your official score will be mailed to you within four weeks. If you pass the exam, ARRT will provide your certification and registration information. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to study before taking the exam.
Step 3. Meet Your State’s Radiation Therapist License Requirements
After passing the ARRT radiation therapist exam and receiving your certification, be sure to check your state requirements. Depending on which state you live in, licensing requirements may vary. If you live in a state that mandates a license, you’re required to complete the following steps to become a radiation therapist:
- Provide a letter from your college proving that you met the educational requirements.
- Provide a copy of your ARRT certificate.
- Fill out an application and send it to your state’s licensing board via email, mail, or fax.
Once your application gets approved and you receive your state license, you’ll be eligible to apply for radiation therapist jobs. Processing and receiving your license can take days or weeks, depending on whether you submit your application by mail, digitally, or by via fax.
How Much Does a Radiation Therapist Make?
According to Monster’s salary data, the median radiation therapist salary is $76,869 per year. That could range anywhere from $59,902 to $97,001, depending on your location and experience level.
Want to know how much radiation therapists get paid in your area? Monster’s Salary Calculator can give you an estimate of your future pay, as well as salary information for similar jobs.
How to Find Radiation Therapist Jobs
Once you’ve satisfied all the requirements to become a radiation therapist, you’ll need to collect your skills, credentials, and previous work experience on your resume before applying for jobs. Monster has tons of resume samples for medical professionals that can help you stand out from other qualified candidates. Then, put together am accompanying cover letter that describes why you’re applying for a radiation therapist position and demonstrates your passion for the job.
Ready to start applying? Search Monster for radiation therapist jobs across the U.S. or in these high-demand cities:
Join Monster Today to Find Radiation Therapist Jobs
We’ve covered the fundamentals of how to become a radiation therapist. Now, complete your profile on Monster and get laser-beam focused on finding a radiation therapist job. Once you join, we’ll connect you with job recruiters looking for candidates with your qualifications. Plus, we offer free email notifications when new radiation therapist jobs open in your area.