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Radiation Therapy Providers Job Overview

Radiation therapy providers primarily use radiation therapy to treat cancer. They use machines known as linear accelerators, which project high power x-rays at cancer cells in the body.

Radiation Therapy Providers Schools and Degrees

Those aspiring to become radiation therapy providers need to have an associateÕs or bachelorÕs degree in radiation therapy. An associate or bachelorÕs degree in radiography is also accepted, but twelve-month certification courses in radiation therapy are also required in this path. The American Registry of Radio logic Technologists has accredited about 123 radiation therapy programs in the U.S.

Job Requirements

Licensure is required from radiation therapy providers before they can begin practicing. The requirements vary from one state to another. About 32 states require radiation therapy providers acquire a license by the accrediting board of the state. Many states require radio therapy providers to have cleared the ARRT certification exam.

The ARRT certification needs to be renewed every year. For this, radiation therapy providers have to work by the standards of ethics set by ARRT, pay annual dues and fulfill ongoing education needs. Ongoing education needs have to be met every couple of years. Alternatively, a ARRT certification in a discipline other than radio therapy also suffices.

Radiation therapy providers need to have the mental conditioning to be able to work with patients suffering from cancer and need to be able to handle the stress that goes with it. Excellent communication and interpersonal relation management skills are also important. They need to keep accurate documentation of the treatment and history of the patient. Being physically fit and strong is important as they have long work hours and often need to physically move patients.

Nature of Work

Radiation therapy providers discusses treatment plans with radiation oncologists and dosimetrists. They use computer tomography (CT) scans or x-ray machines to locate cancerous tumors. They then use the linear accelerator in away that the radiation exposure focuses only on cancerous cells. He records and controls the radiation treatment of the patient.

Radiation therapy providers generally work in centers or hospitals where cancer treatment is offered. They work in clean and well-ventilated environment. They work for forty hours a week, but also need to be on call on occasion. They work with radio active substances and face the hazard of being exposed to their radiation, so they need to maintain safety procedures.

Radiation Therapy Providers Jobs and Outlook

According to research in 2006, radiation therapy providers held about 15,000 jobs in the US. Employment is highest in the following industries:< /p>

• Employment Services
• General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
• Offices of Physicians
• Outpatient Care Centers
• Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals

The mean hourly wage for radiation therapy providers in the US is about $34.61, while the mean annual salary is around $71,990.

Job Numbers and Growth

Nationally, there are 15,000 radiation therapy providers. The occupation is characterized by a very low joblessness level. The unemployment rate for employees was 1% in 2008.

Area Job Conditions

Looking at workers per capita, Billings (Montana), Gainesville (Florida), and Springfield (Illinois) rise to the top of the list. Dallas (Texas), Kansas City (Missouri), and Minneapolis (Minnesota) have the fewest per capita.

The highest salaries for employees are in and around Billings (Montana), Camden (New Jersey), and San Jose (California). The lowest-paying areas are Oklahoma City (Oklahoma), Baton Rouge (Louisiana), and Boise (Idaho).

Training and Education

Successful workers find it useful to have an associate degree. According to recent surveys, 42% of employees had received a degree. Radiation therapy providers with some schooling beyond high school, but not a college degree, total about 55%. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.

Part-Time Work and Self-Employment

Radiation therapy providers working less than full time, whether by design or chance, were 10% of the total.

Radiation Therapy Providers by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)

In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.

Alabama

California

Colorado

Connecticut

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Louisiana

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

New Jersey

New York

North Carolina

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Virginia

Washington

Wisconsin