Cancer is one of the toughest illnesses there exist for humankind, and the variety of this illness is incredible, making it impossible to stick to one therapy option.
One of the most used therapy options to treat cancer is radiotherapy, and a radiation therapist is a person in charge of performing it and helping cancer patients get healthy.
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What Is A Radiation Therapist?
A radiation therapist is a professional who works with cancer patients and makes sure they are getting their radiotherapy treatment correctly.
According to the doctor’s orders, these professionals are in charge of assessing the patient before treatment, while administering treatment, and after treatment.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statics, for radiation therapists, the median annual wage was $82,79 per year and $39.80 per hour in May 2021.
What Are The Responsibilities/Duties Of A Radiation Therapist?
According to VocationalTrainingHQ.com, the major duties and responsibilities of a radiation therapist include:
- Clean and sanitize equipment.
- Position patient for radiation therapy.
- Explain procedures and answer any questions.
- Administer correct dosage of radiation to patients.
- Monitor patient.
- Record data.
- Communicate with other team members.
What Are The Costs Of Radiation Therapist Programs?
The cost of a radiation therapist program can vary depending on the duration of the program and level of specialization, the school, the type of program (online or in-person,) if you are an in-state resident or out-state student, and the state where the school is located.
People have the option to choose between a two-year associate degree or a four-year bachelor’s degree to become a radiotherapist.
Typically, the cost for a two-year radiotherapist associate’s degree can go from $7,200 to $41,500.
A four-year bachelor’s degree costs more and can go from $32,000 to $110,000.
Extra Expenses
- Textbooks have an estimated cost of $1,000 or more.
- After finishing the program, professionals must get certified to be able to work. Most states require licensing and certification provided by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
What Are The Best Schools That Offer Radiation Therapists Programs?
Looking for radiation therapist schools and programs it’s best to find one that’s accredited by The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).
The JRCERT accreditation will assure professionals that the education of a radiation therapist program adheres to high standards, and these programs will make professionals eligible to apply for the ARRT or ARMRIT certification and licensing.
Some radiation therapist programs that are accredited by the JRCERT include:
| Type of Program | Program Name | City | State | Award Type |
| Radiation Therapy | Amarillo College | Amarillo | TX | Associate’s Degree |
| Radiation Therapy | Arkansas State University | Jonesboro | AR | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Radiation Therapy | Augusta University | Augusta | GA | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Radiation Therapy | Austin Peay State University | Clarksville | TN | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Radiation Therapy | Baker College of Jackson | Jackson | MI | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Radiation Therapy | Baptist Health Sciences University | Memphis | TN | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Radiation Therapy | Bellarmine University | Louisville | KY | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Radiation Therapy | Bellevue College | Bellevue | WA | Associate’s Degree |
| Radiation Therapy | Bergen Community College | Paramus | NJ | Certificate |
| Radiation Therapy | Broward College North Campus | Coconut Creek | FL | Certificate, Associate’s Degree |
| Radiation Therapy | Carolinas College of Health Sciences | Charlotte | NC | Certificate |
| Radiation Therapy | Center for Allied Health Education | Brooklyn | NY | Certificate |
| Radiation Therapy | Central Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute (CARTI) | Little Rock | AR | Certificate |
| Radiation Therapy | Chattanooga State Community College | Chattanooga | TN | Certificate |
| Radiation Therapy | City of Hope | Duarte | CA | Certificate |
| Radiation Therapy | Community College of Allegheny County (Allegheny Campus) | Pittsburgh | PA | Certificate, Associate’s Degree |
| Radiation Therapy | Community College of Baltimore County | Baltimore | MD | Associate’s Degree |
| Radiation Therapy | Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center | Livingston | NJ | Certificate |
| Radiation Therapy | Delgado Community College | New Orleans | LA | Certificate |
| Radiation Therapy | Forsyth Technical Community College | Winston-Salem | NC | Associate’s Degree |
The 15 best radiation science bachelor’s programs are:
| School | Program | Estimated Tuition Cost |
| University of Michigan-Flint | B.S. in Radiation Therapy | $61,008 – $121,148 |
| University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill | B.S. in Medical Imaging | $35,920 – $144,636 |
| University of Missouri at Columbia | Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHS) with an emphasis in Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences | $53,056 – $68-816 |
| University of Mississippi | B.S. in Radiologic Sciences | $42,924 |
| Baker College | B.S. in Radiation Therapy | $49,800 |
| University of Saint Francis | B.S. in Radiation Therapy | $136,000 |
| Wayne State University | B.S. in Radiation Therapy | $47,640 – $109-080 |
| Saint Louis University | B.S. in Radiation Therapy | $44,700 |
| Oakland University | B.S. in Radiation Therapy | $53,384 – $98,840 |
| Midwestern State University-Texas | B.S. in Radiologic Science | $38,404 – $80,857 |
| Indiana University Northwest | B.S. in Radiologic Science | $30,108 – $79,912 |
| Northwestern State University of Louisiana | B.S. in Radiologic Science | $61,376 – $78,224 |
| Augusta University | B.S. in Radiation Therapy | $35,328 – $169,470 |
| Thomas Jefferson University | B.S. in Radiation Therapy | $83,430 – $166,860 |
| University of Southern Indiana | B.S. in Radiologic and Imaging Sciences | $34,184 – $79,424 |
