Radiation Therapy Study Guide: A Radiation Ther... [UPDATED]
The following study materials and resources are suggested by experienced R.T.s to help you prepare for the radiation therapy certification exam offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
Radiation Therapy Study Guide: A Radiation Ther...
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This book is a comprehensive review and study aid for radiation therapists. Organized in a question-and-answer format, it present clinical features and principles of treatment. Topics include radiation therapy physics, radiobiology, treatment and simulation equipment, principles of patient care, clinical components of cancer care, and cancers of the brain, head and neck region, and respiratory, digestive, urinary, and male and female reproductive systems. It offers over 500 multiple-choice questions with detailed answers and rationales. Radiation Therapy Study Guide is a valuable resource for radiation therapists preparing for certification examinations as well as for practicing therapists in need of a review.
Reviewer: Kyle Theine, MBA RT(R) (MR)(Froedtert Hospital)Description: This review and study aid uses a question and answer format to help prepare radiation therapy students for the credentialing examination.Purpose: The purpose is to help with exam preparation.Audience: It is intended for students who are preparing to become registered radiation therapists. The author is a radiation therapist.Features: The book provides examination style questions, along with explanations for correct answers. This combination helps greatly in the preparation for the examination.Assessment: This is a quality book that will be used by many radiation therapy students as they prepare for the credentialing examination. With its quality questions and complete explanations, the book will benefit its readers.
A radiation therapist is a medical professional who administers radiation to patients who have cancer. Radiation therapists are part of an interdisciplinary team of oncologists, medical physicists and oncology nurses who all work together to plan and administer treatments and monitor the condition of patients.
Becoming a radiation therapist takes between two and four years to obtain your desired degree. An associates degree takes two years to complete, and a Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy takes four years to complete. While you can become a radiation therapist with only an associates degree, many employers prefer their therapists to have a bachelor's degree in order to be considered for the position.
The demand for radiation therapists has been steadily increasing over the past decade and continues to grow. In 2017, the national median salary for a radiation therapist was $80,570. Job growth for the radiation therapy field is expected to grow 13% in the next 10 years.
Ivy Tech's curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for the national registry exam given by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), which is the exam taken to secure licensing as a radiation therapist. Graduates who successfully pass the exam have opportunities to obtain entry-level radiation therapist positions in a variety of healthcare areas, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and cancer centers.
Due to the nature of the radiation therapist profession and how much hands-on learning we incorporate into the curriculum, all Ivy Tech radiation therapy courses are taught in a traditional, in-person format.
Radiation therapist (RT) communication plays an essential part of patient-centred care in achieving better patient outcomes within radiation oncology. Patients present from a range of social circumstances, education levels and cultural backgrounds, all of which may significantly impact their level of health literacy (HL). Using literature sourced from databases such as EMCare Nursing & Allied Health Database, MEDLINE(R) and APA PsycInfo, this narrative review explores HL definitions, international comparison rates and indications of individual low HL. It also reviews HL assessments as well as exploring enablers and barriers to HL from the RT perspective. Strategies from both the individual or organisational perspective are provided for RTs to begin or continue their HL interest. By educating the radiation therapy profession about health literacy and making small changes in interpersonal interactions, there is the opportunity to impact patients' experiences and outcomes significantly.
Do you want to help people with cancer heal and recover using sophisticated medical technology? The field of radiation therapy will likely appeal to you. Radiation therapists use complex machines and precise techniques to eliminate cancers from patients' bodies. Moreover, radiation therapist jobs offer high salaries and potential for specialization and advancement.
The road to becoming a radiation therapist includes education, training, and official certification. These requirements may seem intimidating, but this page offers a step-by-step guide to the profession.
Radiation therapists are healthcare workers who administer radiation treatments to cancer patients using specialized technology and procedures. They typically work as part of an oncology team under the guidance of specialized healthcare providers, such as radiation oncologists and oncology nurses.
To administer treatment, radiation therapists operate machines called medical linear accelerators (LINAC). LINAC machines deliver X-rays that adjust to the cancerous tissue's size, shape, and location, gradually shrinking it. On a typical day, a radiation therapist operates a LINAC machine to deliver treatment, protects patients from harmful radiation exposure, reviews treatment plans created by oncologists, and records patient progress.
Radiation therapists can pursue various specializations in radiologic technology. While some specializations focus on specific areas of oncological care, such as mammography, others may require more education, training, or certification. Some of the most common specializations for radiation therapy professionals include: Mammography
Sonography
Bone densitometry
Diagnostic radiology
Interventional radiology
Medical physics
Where Do Radiation Therapists Work?Radiation therapists work full time in healthcare settings, including hospitals, physicians' offices, and oncology clinics. They also work in research-focused settings like universities or data analysis companies. The industries that most commonly employ radiation therapists are healthcare, research, and education.
As an essential service, radiation therapists have continued to work through the COVID-19 pandemic. One major difference between the work of radiation therapists and that of other oncology team members relates to remote work. While oncologists can telecommute, radiation therapists must work with patients in person.
Succeeding as a radiation therapist requires drawing upon a diverse skill set, including analytical thinking and communication skills. Radiation therapists need proficiency in operating and monitoring complex equipment. They need to be detail-oriented in order to calibrate equipment to exact measurements and follow instructions to properly deliver treatment. Strong observation and data collection skills help them collect important information that can affect patients' treatment plans.
Radiation therapy career benefits include high salary and job growth projections. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the median salary for radiation therapists was $86,850 as of May 2020. In California and New York, the median salary reaches $40,000 over the national median. Radiation therapists' specialized training makes their work in-demand and lucrative.
To become a radiation therapist, you first need to earn an associate or bachelor's degree in radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is one of the highest-paying professions that only requires an associate degree. You can also earn a radiology degree in place of majoring in radiation therapy.
Entry requirements for radiation therapy and radiology degrees vary. Most schools just require a high school diploma and science and math coursework. Some programs, however, require applicants to present observation hours in hospital-based radiation therapy centers. Radiation therapists do not need to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) to gain admission to associate or bachelor's programs in radiation therapy.
The typical radiation therapy associate degree takes two years to complete. In contrast, it takes four years to earn a bachelor of science in radiation therapy. Common courses for both degrees explore imaging in radiation therapy, therapeutic radiobiology, and oncology treatment procedures.
Radiation therapy associate and bachelor's programs also typically include clinical components at local radiation therapy centers. Students learn to apply their knowledge of LINAC operation, oncology procedure, and radiation therapy techniques during clinical hours.
When researching radiation therapy degrees, only consider programs from accredited schools to ensure that you can transfer credits and that you will receive a credible degree. Check with each prospective school to ensure that the program holds approval from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). This organization handles certification for all radiologic technology careers, including radiation therapy.
Radiation therapists need state licensure and national certification. This requires passing the national exam for radiation therapists from the ARRT. The exam costs $200 on the first attempt and $175 for subsequent tries. Once you pass the ARRT registry exam, you can apply for state licensure.
Most states require ARRT certification, a degree, and varying levels of clinical experience to apply for licensure. However, state licensure requirements vary. For instance, radiation therapists do not need state licensure to work in Pennsylvania.
Certified radiation therapists (RTs) must renew their certifications every two years. During this time, each professional should accumulate 24 continuing education credits. Check the ARRT's website to find approved continuing education providers. 041b061a72