Radiation therapists treat patients with cancer and other diseases by administering radiation therapy. They are trained to operate machines called linear accelerators, which direct high-energy X-rays at specific cells to shrink or eradicate them.
Radiation therapists have a number of job duties:
Explain treatment to patients and answer questions.
Follow safety procedures to protect patients and themselves from overexposure.
Examine machines to make sure they are safe and working properly.
X-ray patients to determine the exact location of the area requiring treatment.
Operate the machine to treat patients with radiation.
Monitor patients’ reactions to check for unusual responses to radiation.
*Source: bls.gov
National Median Salary
$80,220 annually*
*Figure represents national average. To view the average salary in your state visit the bureau of labor statistics.
Requirements
Entry-level education requirements:
High school diploma/GED and associate degree
Job outlook (2014-24):
Growing much faster than average (14 percent projected growth)*
