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A radiation therapist or sometimes known as a radiographer, uses radiation to help reduce tumors and cancer in patients in order to increase the survival rate and overall quality of life. More over, they create radiographic images of the patients body to allow doctors and other staff to get a better read of the situation and give the proper diagnosis. This short guide and outline will give you some basic information on how to get into the field and what you can expect as a radiation therapist salary.
Radiation Therapist Salary Information:
The average radiation therapist salary in the United States is just under $60,000 per year. When starting out you can expect to make a minimum of $45,000 annually. Depending on your specialization within the field, especially within the field of medical dosimetry, you can earn up to $90,000 equipped with the right amount of experience.
Radiation Therapist School Requirements:
To become a radiation therapist, you will need certification in a two year program from an accredited school or college. You can also go a step further and get a full four-year bachelor degree in radiology. It is very important that your college or school is accredited by JRCERT, or Joint Review Committee on Education of Radiologic Technology. Without this accreditation, it will be almost impossible to get a job. Once you have completed your studies, you will be required to sit for the board exam. After you have pass the exam, you will be accredited and ready to start your career.
Radiation Therapist Work Environment:
Radiation therapists can work in a variety of places but will most likely end up in a hospital. At the hospital, you can choose to work in the operating room, trauma, critical care, CT scanning, MRI, fluoroscopy or angiography. The work itself, is not very stressful but you can end up working long hours, especially if you are in trauma or critical care. The upside is that there is a constant need for radiation therapists so will have no problem finding employment.
Going down this path can lead to a rewarding and stable career along with a good radiation therapist salary. Please remember to take advantage of all government and state programs as they sometimes give grants to students. Also, be sure to contact your local schools about help with tuition as they will be more than accommodating. By doing a little research and groundwork, you should have no problem becoming a radiation therapist. |
