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Radiation therapists treat cancer patients using ionizing radiation. They develop treatment plans, operate equipment, and observe patient response. Certification and licensing requirements vary by country. Radiation therapists work with radiation oncologists and physicists, and can specialize in brachytherapy or radiosurgery.
A radiation therapist uses the process of ionizing radiation to treat cancer patients. Radiation therapists are also known as therapeutic radiologists or radiation therapists. They are sometimes incorrectly called radiation technicians or radiation therapy technicians. These terms are limited to the technician who actually operates the radiation machines. Although radiation therapists may operate radiation equipment, they also interpret radiation prescriptions, develop treatment plans for radiation therapy, and implement them in cancer patients.
A radiation therapist is an allied healthcare professional. Unlike doctors, these healthcare careers do not require a medical degree. Still, allied health careers are an integral part of any well-functioning health system. Kinesiotherapists, midwives and optometrists are all considered allied health professionals. Other fields include medical physics, social work, and rehabilitation counseling.
The requirements to become a radiation therapist differ from country to country. In the United States, a student must first complete high school or obtain a general education development (GED) credential. In most cases, the student will complete two years of technical school and receive a radiation therapist certificate. There are also some programs that offer an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in science. The certification or diploma depends on the program and institution.
After receiving certification, a therapist must pass a state board exam to be licensed to practice. The exam tests a student’s knowledge of human anatomy, radiation physics, and cancer psychology. Therapists must also know how to operate and troubleshoot radiation equipment, even if it is a technician performing the actual operation of that equipment.
Patients usually start radiation therapy after being prescribed it by their radiation oncologist, a doctor who specializes in treating cancer using radiation. The therapist plans the patient’s course of treatment with the help of a radiation physicist, who is specially trained to measure and administer radioactive materials. Treatment can last for several weeks, during which time the therapist observes and adjusts the course of treatment based on the patient’s response.
There are several practice specialties available to a radiation therapist. Brachytherapy is a form of radiation therapy that actually involves inserting the radioactive source into the patient close to the cancer site. Brachytherapy is generally used to treat localized types of cancer, including cervical and prostate cancer. Another option is radiosurgery, a non-invasive surgical alternative that uses beams of ionizing radiation.
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