Radiation Therapist

Duties and responsibilities: Radiation therapists operate machines called linear accelerators, which are used to deliver radiation therapy. These machines direct high-energy x rays at specific cancer cells in a patient's body, shrinking or removing them. Radiation therapists are part of the oncology team that treats patients with cancer.

Salary: $49,606 - $90,842

Education: Radiation therapist programs can range from 1-to-2 years. One-year programs result in a certificate or diploma, while students in 2-year programs will earn associate's degrees.

One-year programs emphasize supervised clinical education in training facilities like hospitals. The associate's degree provides in-depth training that focuses both on theoretical knowledge (in the classroom) and hands-on experiences.

Demand for this profession: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for radiation therapists was expected to increase 24% from 2012-2022, which is faster than average. Job growth will be spurred by the increasing number of elderly citizens along with developments of treatment techniques. Besides hospitals, outpatient care centers and physician's offices are major employers.

Reflection: I would like to be one is a good choice, to help people with cancer that’s a good cause and it’s an awesome job