Does any one know what education is actually required to be a radiation therapist??

Question

Does any one know what education is actually required to be a radiation therapist??

Answer 1

Actually, yes.

Associates degree in allied health, radiologic technology. This is a two year degree (6 semesters). You must pass a registry to be a registered technologist (ARRT).

Then application to an ACR accreditted radiation therapy school...18 months to 2 years for this portion of education.

Then another registry for Radiation therapy, to be a registered therapist. The clinical portion will be done in conjunction with the didactic hours.

It's a great field, radiology, and it takes someone special to do Radiation Therapy.

I've been a registered technologist for 29 years, done many other aspects of the field (Ultra sound, CT, Clinical instruction, operative radiology and management (currently) as well as urology). Radiation therapy is an elite field which takes someone real special to excel at.

Good luck... you'll really enjoy it...besides it reallucrative when you complete the Transition.

Answer 2

you can get an associates degree which is about 2 years

or a BA

Answer 3

no i dont but have you noticed that therapist   can be made into the rapist? lol

Answer 4

I think its a medical specialty.

3 Years of scient batchlers > [3-5] Years of Medical shool > 2 Years of Specialty

I get my information from www.careercruising.com

Answer 5

Most radiation therapy programs require you to be a graduate of an accredited radiologic technology (the proper term for an x-ray tech) program first and be licensed by the ARRT.  In order to attend an accredited rad. tech. program, you need college courses, such as anatomy and physiology.  It took me 1.5 years to do my prerequisite courses, and then 2 years to go through the rad tech program.  After that, you could try to get into a radiation therapy program.  A certificate therapy program is 12-18 months and a B.S. degree program is usually 24 months.

If you haven't already spent time in a radiation therapy department, I do suggest you do that before totally decide to do this.  I did a 4 week rotation through this department, as part of my training for radiological technology, and I couldn't imagine doing this for a living.  It takes a very special person who can work around very sick and/or dying patients on a daily basis.  A radiation therapist will see a patient multiple times a week for their treatment, and they do develop a type of bond with those patients.  Unfortunately, some of those patients will die.  I was not thick skinned enough to do this on a daily basis.  I admire those who do work in radiation therapy and deliver excellent care and compassion.

You can search for a radiation therapy program near you at the following site.  Then you can see what those specific programs require for their prospective students.  You can also see the length of that radiation therapy program.  Just search for "radiation therapy" and your state here:

http://www.jrcert.org/cert/Search.jsp

Answer 6

you have to be able to work a microwave

and understand what extreme depression is

Answer 7

You need an associates degree from a community college.