Radiation Therapy Technologist Job Description and Salary 

This article discusses Radiation Therapy Technologist Job Description and Salary. Also, it highlights some of the duties of a Radiation Therapy Technologist.

Cancer patients undergo treatments such as immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.

Radiotherapy is our primary concern in this case as we will look at one of the careers in the field: radiation therapist technologist. As we proceed with the article, we will discuss the job description and the salary. 

What is Radiation Therapy?

Radiation therapy is one of the treatments adopted in medicine for managing and treating cancer.

It is a procedure that uses radiation, such as X-rays, to attack the cancerous cells in the body. It effectively reduces the spread of cancer from the affected areas to other areas in the body. 

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However, radiation therapy may be a way to treat cancer, but it is not entirely the best option. Instead, it is just one of the preferred options for cancer treatment.

There are adverse effects, such as disturbing side effects, and they may even lead to the development of new cancer in the body. 

Radiotherapy is expensive because it involves a lot of sophisticated equipment and a high level of close monitoring.

Why is Radiation therapy used? 

Radiation therapy helps treat cancer, as stated earlier. Depending on the application, it helps.

• Manage cancer growth in the body.
• Combined with chemotherapy for the treatment of cancer.
• Used in preoperative surgery procedures to remove cancerous cells.

Types of radiation therapy 

The types of radiation therapy used for cancer patients depend on several factors. Some factors an oncologist and radiologist look out for before choosing the types of radiation for the treatment include.

• The maturity of the cancerous cell
• Location of the cancerous cells 
• Age group
• Medical history of the patient
• Body reaction to the radiation

For the types of radiation, we have external and internal radiation as the two types of radiation.

External beam radiation

It involves using external sources to produce radiation for cancer treatment. There is a focus on where cancerous cells are located or close to them. The emitted radiations move all over the patient’s body as directed by the machine. 

There are schedules for the procedure as determined by the oncologist and radiologist in charge. The system is twice a week or otherwise.

Internal beam radiation

In internal beam radiation treatment (also known as brachytherapy), the radiation is not from a machine or external source. Instead, it is either ingested or placed close to the tumor or affected area. The radiation is packaged as implants, making it easier to treat small areas of cancerous cells. 

The implants are permanently or temporarily fixed, depending on the treatment given. 

Who is a radiation therapy technologist

A radiation therapy technologist performs care for cancer patients by handling the equipment and technology for providing radiotherapy for them. They work alongside oncologists, radiologists, and radiotherapists to consider cancer patients. 

We will explore the answers to the question of the duties of a radiation therapy technologist in a healthcare facility.

What does radiation therapy radiotherapy do?

The duties of a radiation therapist are as follows. 

Diagnosis

Radiation therapy technologists used CT scans from radiologists and radiotherapists to develop a suitable treatment plan for the patient. Also, use the data from the assessment and diagnostic tests to set up the machine for the treatment. 

Additionally, they use machines such as stimulators to describe the tumor’s location.

Prepare patients for surgery or therapy

Another duty of a radiation therapy technologist is to prepare the patients for surgery or therapy. They measure and make masks for the patients to map out their heads and necks during the operation.

In addition, they train the patients on how to hold their breath during radiation treatment. Also, they take contours on the patients’ body parts to prep them for radiotherapy. 

Document medical records 

Radiation therapy technologists document the medical records and charts detailing each observation and treatment procedure. 

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Education and instruction

They provide education for the patients regarding their therapy and their health in general. In addition, they also offer answers to the complaints and questions of the patient and the family members/guardians. 

Furthermore, they instruct residents and interns on conducting their duties and give them room to test their knowledge in the area. 

Maintenance of Radiation Equipment 

It is part of the job of a radiation therapist technologist to ensure that the equipment is properly managed and kept in a safe condition. They also ensure that the necessary parties and funding go to the maintenance or repair of the equipment. 

Moral Support 

Radiation therapist technologists ensure they provide patient care with compassion and empathy. It is one way to give the patient moral support, which is helpful for them through the medical procedure. 

Health and safety guidelines

They ensure that they perform treatment plans regarding the patients’ handling and administration of radiation.

An understanding of the safety protocols and how to affect them are part of the duties of a radiation therapy technologist. Also, they must know how to safely dispose of biomedical and radiation waste. 

Work Environment 

Radiation therapist technologists perform their job in diagnostic laboratories, cancer treatment clinics, or hospitals.

They spend most of their working hours performing diagnoses, updating medical records, and administering radiation doses to treat patients. They work full-time, and their closing hours depend on where they work.

Qualities of a Radiation therapy technologist 

The qualities that are required of anyone aspiring or practicing as a radiation therapy technologist are 

Technical expertise skills 

Radiation therapy technologists deal with sophisticated machines, such as MRI machines. They must know how to operate them and troubleshoot when problems arise. 

Mathematical Knowledge 

Knowing how to measure using the mathematical sense is essential because administering radiation is a delicate operation. Radiation doses administered incorrectly can affect the health of the patient. 

Communication skills 

The ability to communicate clearly to patients and their family members is essential. Also, it is crucial to record-keeping when it comes to written communication and taking down medical charts. 

Radiation Therapy Technologist Salary 

According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary of a radiation therapy technologist in a year is $106,502

Final Notes on Radiation Therapy Technologist Job Description and Salary 

Radiation therapy is one of the treatments used for cancer patients to either manage their symptoms, shrink the growth, or remove cancerous cells in the body.

It is an expensive and delicate procedure that requires the expertise of a radiation therapy technologist.

In conjunction with an oncologist and a radiotherapist, a radiation therapy technologist administers the treatment.

They oversee the procedure by handling the equipment. The article explains the radiation types and the job description of a radiation therapy technologist. 

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