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Radiation therapists administer cancer treatment using high-energy radiation. There are four main classes of radiation therapy jobs, with varying education and experience requirements. Only radiation therapy technologists should perform tasks under strict supervision, and the chief technologist manages all radiation therapists on a hospital campus. Most people start out as assistants and can advance through hard work and dedication.
Radiation therapists are medical professionals who use high-energy radiation to administer cancer treatment. They work on an oncology team, which is a group of professionals dedicated to treating cancer-related illnesses. As part of this team, the radiation therapist is responsible for administering the prescribed treatment and keeping an accurate record of it. The four main classes of radiation therapy jobs depend on education and experience. They include assistant radiotherapy technologists, senior radiotherapy technologists, associate radiotherapy technologists, and chief radiotherapy technologists.
Only radiation therapy technologists should perform tasks under the strict supervision of a senior technologist. Obtaining this entry-level position requires completion of a one-year or two-year certificate program in radiology. Individuals interested in advancing their careers should opt for the two-year option, although the best bet is to pursue a full four-year degree.
Unlike assistant technologists, senior radiotherapy technologists can work unsupervised. A senior technologist is tasked with leading a team of assistant technicians, advising and directing their work. Senior technologists also investigate issues, recommend user-friendly solutions, and ensure that broken equipment is fixed. These radiation therapy jobs require an associate’s degree, a license, and between one and two years of field experience, depending on the region.
Associate radiotherapy technologists are essentially managers. While they may perform some real radiation tasks from time to time, they primarily assist the chief technologist in managing multiple teams of senior and assistant technologists. These radiation therapy jobs are more limited and mostly found in larger hospitals that have associate and lead technologists. The education requirements are the same, and at least three years of industry experience is also required.
A chief radiation therapy technologist manages all radiation therapists on a large medical hospital campus. This includes hiring, training, scheduling, coaching, evaluating, and disciplining subordinate therapists. The chief technologist must also ensure that everyone is meeting the correct safety regulations and quality standards. This is an extremely competitive field that pays well and requires at least four years of experience in the field, although most bosses have between 10 and 20 years of experience.
Most people interested in radiation therapy jobs will inevitably start out as an assistant. Those with four years of certification, certification and internship experience can enter the industry at the senior level. Regardless, anyone can eventually approach an associate or boss through hard work, dedication, and patience.
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