Being a Radiation Therapy Technologist means making the difference for many seriously ill cancer patients. Radiation Therapy Technologists work with specialized equipment and compassion to assist in the preparation of both the patient and their affected area before radiation treatment. They may also administer radiation therapy to cancer patients with equipment such as the Linear Accelerator. Radiation Therapy Technologists have the responsibility of keeping the patient’s exposure to radiation as low as possible while ensuring that precision and care is constant. Employment opportunities exist at hospitals, clinics, doctors’ offices, private health agencies and even in industry.
Radiation therapists are educated in physics, radiation safety, cancer management, patient anatomy, and patient care. Students must complete the 62/63 semester hour pre-professional component prior to enrolling in professional component courses.
The professional component (junior and senior years) consists of two years of academic and clinical study in Radiologic Sciences. The program is six semesters in length, including two summer terms. All candidates must have satisfied the pre-professional component to qualify for the degree-seeking professional component, but completion of that component does not guarantee admission to the professional component.