Radiation Therapy

Description

Radiation therapy is the process of using high dose radiation to treat diseases, such as cancer. This high-tech, high-touch profession provides the opportunity to deliver quality patient care while working with technologically sophisticated equipment. Working under the direction of a radiation oncologist, the responsibilities of a radiation therapist include administering radiation treatments directly to patients, monitoring patients’ physical and psychological conditions, maintaining patient records, and ensuring the enforcement of radiation safety regulations. Radiation therapists must be detail-oriented, self-motivated, and must enjoy working with people. The Carolinas College Radiation Therapy Program is a full-time, semester credit hour, 12-month diploma program. Admission to the program requires that the applicant has graduated from a JRCERT—accredited Radiologic Technology Program and has passed the national certification examination in Radiologic Technology and holds a current, unencumbered ARRT certification. Applicants who are registry-eligible may be provisionally accepted if ARRT-certified prior to program entry. Graduates of the Radiation Therapy Program are prepared to function as entry-level radiation therapists and are eligible to challenge the national certification examination in Radiation Therapy administered by the ARRT. The Radiation Therapy Program curriculum is designed to develop critical thinking skills by integrating theoretical concepts with practical experiences. While all courses are taught at the college, clinical (practicum) education takes place in several sites in and around Charlotte, NC, principally at Carolinas Medical Center (CMC) - affiliated facilities. The aging U.S. population and advances in radiotherapeutic technology ensure that radiation therapists will continue to be in demand. Entry-level radiation therapists can expect to earn approximately $55,000 year.