How to Choose the Best Radiation Therapist Program

<P>Radiation therapist programs, like other quality medical training programs, should be accredited and in good standing so that you can be sure your program is going to prepare you adequately for your career.  Two respected accreditation organizations are the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.  Next, you should look for what practical experience or internships that the program offers. Make sure that there is at best one semester in a hospital or cancer treatment center.  The more time, the better simply because in an internship, you apply your knowledge and develop confidence and proficiency.  Check on how the clinical rotations offered match with the requirements for employment and licensure.  Also, inquire about financial assistance, graduation rates and transfer of credit, as well as, certification requirements.</P> <P>Some radiation therapist programs offer a one-year certificate option.  Before signing up for these courses, make sure that the program includes the American Society of Radiologic Technologists&#39; national radiation therapy curriculum.  If the courses are aligned with the national radiation therapy curriculum, then the topics you study will be those that you will encounter on the Registry of Radiologic Technologist Examination.  It makes sense to be well prepared for the exam and a school should be able to tell you how they plan to get you prepared for success.</P> <P>In order to apply for radiation therapists jobs you must have a certificate.  Some certificate programs can be done in one year and this is after you complete your radiation therapist degree.  A radiation therapist degree can be an associates or a bachelor degree in radiation therapy.  Some of the classes can be done online to be a more convenient way of completing the required coursework.  While completing clinical hours and other specific work isnt possible online, classes like physics, algebra and pre-calculus lend themselves nicely to online study.</P> <P>Whatever school you choose to prepare to be a radiation therapist, you will be entering an exciting part of the medical field.  Radiation therapists jobs can be found in hospitals or cancer treatment centers. Typically, you will join a cancer radiation oncology team and be a part of the treatment plans for your patients.  In your role you may assist in developing the treatment plan for patients and you will deliver the high energy x-ray treatments that targets the cancer cells in the patients body to either to shrink or destroy them altogether.  The sessions usually occur several times per week for a month or possibly two at a time. Also, you actually will become the face of radiation therapy, so your patient will look to you to explain the process. Other members of the treatment team will count on you to monitor the patient for any adverse reactions from the radiation therapy.</P> <P>Radiation therapist programs are available in several states and for certificate, associate and bachelor degrees. Someone could locate schools by doing a search on sites like Braintrack.com. This can yield a fairly complete list for schools.  You can compare program offerings and lengths. With that information, you can begin to narrow down aspects that are important to you, such as class size, graduation rates and especially accreditation information.  Financial assistance is generally available for most schools, but inquiring at your school is the way to find funds specifically for them.  Radiation therapy offers an accessible entry into the field of medicine.  With a certificate, associates degree or a bachelor degree, there are opportunities to secure good jobs.  Work in a cancer treatment center or a hospital and be an active part of patients treatment and hopefully recovery.</P>