Can some one please answer some of my questions??

tylerc · Joined: 08 Jan 2009 Posts: 1 Location: Pasadena California

I am interested in becoming a Radation therapist, but i have a few questions.

my questions are :

1) Is it REALLY competitive to get into Radation Programs?? What kind of GPA would i need to get accpeted??

2) What classes do you have to take befeor applying to a Program, is there ALOT of math invloved??

3) I hear Rad therapists are not in high demand, is this true? Are they in high demand here in southern California??

4) should i consider a different career since im not good in math?

5) How did you become one, what did you major in before applying to a Program, what was your GPA while applying?

hjhogle · Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2009 11:31 pm Post subject:

Radiation Therapists are not Radiographers. Radiation Therapists use ionizing radiation to treat disease.

The US Dept of Labor has information and statistics about Radiation Therapy here: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos299.htm

Of particular note is this-
"Licensure. In 2007, 32 States required radiation therapists to be licensed by a State accrediting board. Licensing requirements vary by State, but many States require applicants to pass the ARRT certification examination. Further information is available from individual State licensing offices.

Certification and other qualifications. Some States, as well as many employers, require that radiation therapists be certified by ARRT. To become ARRT-certified, an applicant must complete an accredited radiation therapy program, adhere to ARRT ethical standards, and pass the ARRT certification examination."

So. In order to practice Radiation Therapy, you'll be best served by attending an accredited radiation therapy program (you can find a list of those at the ARRT website here - http://arrt.org/index.html?content=http://www.arrt.org/nd/listOfSchools.ndm/listSchools&iframe=yes and there are quite a few listed in California).

You'll also need to take a look at the California Dept of Public Health for information regarding required California state licenses (which are in addition to national certification) - there's information available here at the RHB - Radiologic Health Branch of the California Dept of Health - http://www.cdph.ca.gov/pubsforms/forms/Pages/RHB-FormsByProgram.aspx

To find out what the prerequisites are for a radiation therapy program, use the list of accredited programs on the ARRT website, and contact those schools in California.

Any program that revolves around radiation will require math.

Good luck
hjh, RT