One of the major treatments for cancer today is radiation therapy. It is characterized by the administration of ionized radiation to patients with cancer to achieve a positive and desirable effect. As of today, radiation therapy alongside chemotherapy is the main treatments for cancer. Though the search for the cure for cancer is in full speed, until such cure is discovered, cancer patients will continue to place their faith current medical treatments.
How is Radiation therapy different from Chemotherapy?
As mentioned above, radiation therapy is a modern advancement in medical science in diagnosing and treating cancer. It works by using radiation to destroy or retard the abnormal growth of cancer cells in suffering patients. It is one of the major treatments for cancer, the other one being chemotherapy. Unlike the latter, radiation therapy does not involve invasive administration of chemicals into the body to “kill” cancer cells. Because of this, many are finding radiation therapy more appealing.
This led to an increased demand for radiation therapy facilities to accommodate the large scale number of people wanting to receive such treatment. This increased demand gives a large opportunity for students of radiation therapy programs to build a fulfilling career and gain the employment they greatly desire. Currently, radiation therapists are one of the best positions in the medical world today.
Becoming A Radiation Therapist
For one to be a radiation therapist, he or she must first enroll in any radiation therapy program and should be able to accomplish it. These programs are from 1 to 4 years, depending on the level of specialization desired. However, though such programs are enough for a person to be a radiation therapist, most medical facilities prefer therapists which either a bachelors or associate degrees.
Because of this preference of medical facilities, students are forced to continue their studies and acquire their bachelor’s degree in radiography, though it is not needed when applying for a license. If one decides to get their bachelors or associate’s degree, one must understand that other subjects such as physiology, computer science, human anatomy, writing and even physics will be included.
Apart from radiography, anyone can enroll in small radiation therapy programs to gain certificates which can improve one’s ability to gain employment and receive high payment rates. The American Registry of Radiologic Technologies (AART) is one of the major groups that provide certification courses in radiation therapy. Anyone that wants to have a good career in radiation therapy must enroll in these small courses and acquire certificates.
Online Certification
There are various accredited websites that offer online radiation therapy programs. These sites give people the chance to pursue a radiation therapy career even at the comforts of one’s home. Normally, these sites are in partnership with schools and Universities that provide such programs. Through this kind of online learning, one can be given a chance to complete the program online, especially during cases of sudden relocation, emergency and such. It is a fact that online certification is one of the major methods being used today to get credentials for employment.
Start to acquire proper licenses
Immediately after graduation, the next main goal is to acquire licenses in order to start one’s career in radiation therapy. It is very important to secure a license in such field, especially in the United States, as 33 states all require special radiation therapist licenses before one is allowed to practice their profession. In order to get these licenses, one must pass the certification process from AART and also pass the radiation therapy’s national exam.
Just like any profession, without a proper license, one is prohibited to work as a radiation therapist. It is important to be aware of various rules and regulations for practicing radiation therapy in every state or countries abroad to avoid problems. If one can get a license, the door of opportunity will open and the advance of one’s career in Radiation Therapy is certain
The duties of Radiation therapists
The radiation therapist is responsible for the proper administration of radiation to a cancer patient. He or she is expected to follow the oncologist’s prescription to the letter. Also the therapist is responsible for the accurate and proper documentation and monitoring of the treatment given to the patient. Also, the therapist is required to ensure that the patient is comfortable physically and emotionally throughout the length of the treatment.
He or she is expected to take care of the radiation equipment and maintain its optimal performance. It is important to ensure that the machine is working properly before and after a radiation session. These are some of the main responsibilities of a radiation therapist. Regulations may vary depending on the hospital or medical facility he or she is employed.
Becoming a radiation therapist is one of the major medical professions today, especially with the growing number of cancer patients worldwide. As technology continues to improve and medical science inch ever closer to discovering the ultimate cure of cancer, radiation therapy is one of the best chances for cancer patients today. It is the job of a radiation therapist to give not only medical treatment for cancer patients, but also give hope that somehow, even in the direst of situations, everything can turn out fine.
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