What Is A Radiation Therapist?

A radiation therapist is a medical professional who is trained to administer beams of radiation to a targeted area of the human body. The beams of radiation are “treatments” to cure disease, such as cancer.

A radiation therapist works closely with both the patient and the doctor to make sure the treatment is done with minimal pain and discomfort. The radiation therapist first consults with the patient’s doctor, then interprets the treatment needed. On the day of treatment, the radiation therapist walks the patient through the process, then administers and records the treatment.

Administering treatment requires calculating the proper dose of radiation, positioning the radiation equipment over the tumor (or area of treatment), adjusting accessories or external devices to make sure only the effected area gets the dose of radiation, and operating the radiation equipment.

Most treatment sessions last only a few minutes, but overall treatments last several weeks therefore proper recordkeeping is vital to the success of the patient’s treatment. Record keeping not only includes the dosage and extent of radiation treatment, but how the patient reacts to treatment (including any new symptoms since the last treatment), how the cancerous cells react to treatment (did they shrink, increase, or show no change), and how the non-cancerous cells are affected by the current treatment (including how they were affected by past treatments).

To get the facts about radiation therapy, visit the National Cancer Institute. To learn more about how radiation therapy works, visit MedicineNet.com and Tirgan.com.

Come back on Monday as we finish up our discussion on Radiation Therapy.

What Is The Pay And Job Market Like For A Radiographer?

According to the American Society of Radiological Technologists, “radiologic technologists are the largest group of allied health professionals in the country” performing more than 300 millions procedures per year. With that many procedures, it’s no wonder radiographers are in high demand.

The pay scale varies according to the specialty of the radiographer, the place of employment, and the geographic area.

Pay Scale Examples The top 90th percentile in New York alone averages $63,677 per year with the top 90th percentile in Delray Beach averaging $54,281 per and the top 90th percentile in Atlanta averaging $54,038 per year. To learn more about these figures, check out Salary.com

As the radiographer increases his/her knowledge through hands-on experience and by receiving additional medical training and certification, his/her pay scale increases.

Radiographers, also known as x-ray technicians, earn $39,605 to $53,360 per year, on the average—increasing and decreasing depending on where the radiographer lives geographically—and usually spend their days x-raying bones for fractures and breaks, providing ultrasounds, and performing other imaging procedures.

More advanced radiographers make $50,000 and up per year. Their job titles include, but are not limited to:

• Cardiovascular And Interventional Radiographers
  Cardiovascular radiographers use specialized x-ray equipment to study the flow of blood to the heart through the blood vessels. To learn more visit the Association of Vascular and Interventional Radiographers.
  
  
• Computed Tomography Radiographers
  Computed Tomography Radiographers produce 3D images from several flat x-rays to help doctors get a better look at what’s going on inside the human body. This procedure is known as a CT scan. To learn more about CT scans, visit Medi-Rad Associates.
  
  
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist
  Magnetic Resonance Imaging Techs use magnets and radio waves to examine the inside of the human body. To learn more visit the Western Journal of Medicine.
  
  
• Mammographers
  Mammographers use x-ray technology to check breasts for abnormalities and cancer cells. To learn more visit Radiology Info Source for Patients.
  
  
• Nuclear Medicine Technologist
  Nuclear Medicine Techs administer radio active drugs to patients then analyze the distribution of the drug throughout the body via gamma camera. To learn more visit the Society of Nuclear Medicine.
  
  
• Radiation Therapy Technologist
  Radiation therapists disburse radiation to kill living cancer cells. To learn more visit the American Society of Radiologic Technologies.
  

Come back on Friday as we discuss Radiation Therapy: what it is, what it entails, and where you can find work.

What Is A Radiographer?

A radiographer is a medical professional who is trained to operate equipment that detects and produces radiation. There are two types of radiographers: diagnostic and therapeutic.

Diagnostic radiographers use x-rays and body scans to take images of the inside of the body. These images help doctors locate the root of an illness, injury, or disease; monitor changes within the body; and determine proper treatment.

Therapeutic radiographers use radiation to help heal the human body. Most people recognize this type of treatment when they think of cancer patients. The radiographer delivers a precise does of radiation to the cancer cells while minimizing the effect the radiation has on the surrounding body tissues. The correct dose of radiation helps kill the cancer cells and gives the cancer patient a chance to live a cancer-free life.

Radiographers also use two types of radiation: ionizing and non-ionizing.

Ionizing radiation is used during x-rays and therapeutic treatments. It basically alters the atoms in a body by removing electrons and when used in high dosages, damages living cells.

Non-ionizing radiation is used during ultrasounds. It basically uses electromagnetic radiation which doesn’t alter, change, or damage living cells.

To learn more about the differences between ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, both of which are used by medical radiographers, visit the United States Environmental Protection Agency website.

Come back on Wednesday as we finish up our discussion on Radiographers.