Radiation Therapist Career Guide and Counseling

Question: Radiation Therapist ? how much does the average radiation therapist in america make ? what about in los angeles ?

Answer: The American Society of Radiologic Technologists just did a fairly large salary survey, and included radiation therapists. The average salaries vary quite a bit, throughout the US. In Alabama, the average yearly salary for a radiation therapist was $65,431. In California, it is $92,510. You can review this survey here: https://www.asrt.org/media/pdf/research/…

Question: How much is a radiation therapist can make in the Bay area? I want to become a radiation therapist but I'm still wondering radiation theapist still a good one also? Which one do you guys prefer? Radiology technician or Radiation therapist. Please help! Thank you so much! I meant the different between radiology tech and radiation therapist. Which one is better? Thx

Answer: The market is becoming flooded with people in school for Radiation Technician. Try shadowing someone for a day and make sure either one is a career you truly want. Try the website below for interests, skills and abilities needed on both, and for an estimate of yearly wages in your state. Click on CareerInfoNet and you will find the information.

Question: How do I go about becoming a radiation therapist? Due to certain circumstances I am currently enrolled in a community college and am taking up liberal arts. After a lot of contemplating I decided that I would like to become a radiation therapist. Am I wasting my time by getting an associates in liberal arts? Is there some type of other school that I have to attend? I had thought about getting my associates in liberal arts and then going onto a four year to complete my other two years in radiation therapy. If someone can please help me I would greatly appreciate it !! Thanks!

Answer: Take a look at different schools to see what their programs require. Your present credits may fit more closely to some schools more than others. The liberal arts degree should provide much of the course work that is needed, as long as you tailor your courses to meet the requirements for the 4-yr school you want to graduate from. Pick a couple of 4yr schools that you might like to attend, and match your coursework to their requirements as much as possible.

Question: How much does a radiation therapist make really? I would prefer this from a real radiation therapist. I look at sites and they all seem to differ. Do you also know how much a dosimetrist makes and how to transition to a dosimetrist?

Answer: Radiation therapy is an additional year of study with some externship. You have to became a radiology tech first. To become a dosimetrist takes different schooling not necessarily related but similar to a physicist. Salaries differ a lot between hospitals and states. For instance, I'm a CT tech one place pays $33 an hr another $38, another $48. (california) It's the same for rad therapy techs and dosimetrist. There's also call and shift differential for techs. Dosimetry is a nice field.

Question: What do you need to do to become a radiation therapist? Where can I find places that will get me into a program for radiation therapy? Is it better to get an associate's degree or is a certification fine? Also, what is the difference between radiation therapist and nuclear medication technologist? Also, what is the average salary of a radiation therapist in NJ/NY?

Answer: You need to attend an accredited program, whether it is Radiation Therapy or Nuclear Medicine. You can find these here: http://www.arrt.org/index.html?content=h… A radiation therapist delivers radiation to cancer patients, in order to try to slow or stop the cancerous growths. For details: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos299.htm A nuclear medicine technologist uses radioactive isotopes to help diagnose disease or conditions. For details: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos104.htm

Question: How do I become a radiation therapist in Illinois? I'll be a senior in the fall so I wanted to get an idea now of how to become a radiation therapist. I'd prefer to get an associates degree but if I can do the bachelors degree thing too. I'm just confused on the go to college part and doing a program too ??? i'm lost but its something I wanna do I love helping people.

Answer: You have to go through an accredited program. SCHOOL OF RADIATION THERAPY SOUTHERN ILL UNIV CARBONDALE COLL OF APPLSCI & ARTS RM 18 CARBONDALE, IL 62901-0000 Program Director: KEVIN S COLLINS Telephone: 618-453-8882 SCHOOL OF RADIATION THERAPY NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL 251 E HURON ST GALTER PV LC178 CHICAGO, IL 60611-0000 Program Director: SANDY L PIEHL Telephone: 312-926-2733 RADIATION THERAPY TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM COLLEGE OF DUPAGE 425 FAWELL BLVD GLEN ELLYN, IL 60137-6599 Program Director: JEFFREY A PAPP Telephone: 630-942-2074 SCHOOL OF RADIATION THERAPY SWEDISH AMERICAN HOSPITAL 1400 CHARLES STREET ROCKFORD, IL 61108-0000 Program Director: LEIA D C LEVY Telephone: 815-961-2038

Question: Can I become a Radiation Therapist with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology? In what should I major if I wish to become a radiation therapist? I was thinking Biology, but I honestly don't know what is needed. The college I was planning on attending does not have any type of Radiology majors...I don't even know if those exist. So in what should I major? Would I need any schooling beyond a Bachelor's?

Answer: A Radiation Therapist is actually a program at many different schools and Universities. Some places are two year programs, some places are 4 year programs. The ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) is pretty much the most recognized certification program for people in the Radiology field. I'd take a peek at their website. They list schools that have Radiation Therapist programs. This might give you a place to startL http://www.arrt.org/index.html?content=h… I do know that many Radiography programs are very competitive and difficult to get into. I'd suggest having a backup plan if I were you. I don't think I'd opt for a 4-year Biology degree. If I were in your shoes, I'd opt for a Nursing program. It will only help to have a strong medical background if you do get into a Radiology program. If you don't get in, you still have a degree similar to your desired field of work that is in high demand and great paying. You could also call the HR department of your local hospital. Tell them you aren't looking for a job just yet, but you want to know what they look for in an applicant. Don't be afraid to ask to talk to the head of Radiology or ask for thier email address. Hope this helps a little

Question: Does anyone have details on job oportunities and salaries for Radiation Therapist in New York State? I'm almost done my degree and I'm trying to decide where to go work; Quebec, Ontario or New York. If anyone is Radiation Therapist, please give me some details if you don't mind. I don't want to know your exact salary, that is private, but a range would be great. And if you have info on job openings, that would also be useful. Thank You!

Answer: The salary/remuneration for a particular job is the market value for a particular profession and designation at the city/town where the office is located. Job postings at websites like Monster, Yahoo HotJobs and Careerbuilder carry information about salaries. The Govt Dept of Labor, (www.bls.gov) Bureau of statistics has information about median salaries for different professions and details of additional compensation offered. Other online resources are salary.com and payscale. Your salary will also depend on your educational qualification and how you handle your career. More details and links to relevant websites available at http://tinyurl.com/rndxq

Question: Downside to becoming a Radiation therapist? What would be a downside to becoming a Radiation Therapist? Would it eventually make me sick, even though i won't be completely exposed to it? What do patients looks like? Are they at their beginning stages of cancer? Do children with cancer get Radiation Therapy?

Answer: It shouldn’t make you sick. There are safety measures in place to prevent that. I know several people in the field and none have had a problem. Some patients get pre-surgical treatment to shrink the tumor before surgery, but most are post-surgical and they do not have early stage cancers. Since the area being treated is at or near the surgical site you do see a lot of scars and women without breasts. Most patients initial treatment is 5 days a week for 4-6 weeks so you get to know them and their family pretty well. I would think this would hard if and when they pass away. You will also treat terminal patients to simply control pain. This would be difficult for me. And yes children do receive radiation therapy.

Question: what is the salary for a Radiation Therapist ? would i have to take Medical Radiologic Technology -- Radiation Therapist as a cousre in college , any more info would help thanks

Answer: It depends on where you'll be working from. One place I found the Average Annual Salary was $56,500 and the Salary Range was $44,600-$73,900. Pretty good!