Last Updated on December 28, 2022
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Radiation Therapy Training Program
Through an affiliation with Grady School of Radiation Therapy, we provide future radiation therapists with on-site clinical training at our various care sites.
Overview
How to Apply
Grady’s School of Radiation Therapy has a well-established program in the state of Georgia and is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. The program receives local and out-of-state applicants for education on becoming a future radiation therapy professional.
To learn more and apply, please visit the program website.Grady’s School of Radiation Therapy
The year-long course through Grady’s School of Radiation Therapy provides students who satisfactorily complete the program with eligibility for certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
Students enrolled in the program rotate to our department’s various photon campuses to complete the clinical requirements for eligibility to take the national certification exam with AART. Maintaining certified status requires demonstration of participation in continuing education activities on a bi-annual bases.
Students rotating to the campuses listed below are guided through the training process by the clinical trainer based at their clinical site. The clinical trainers are the designated educators for the radiation therapy team.
Our current clinical trainers and training locations are:
- Dan Iaccio, BS, RT (R)(T)
Winship Cancer Institute (Clifton campus) - Rafael Reeves, RT (R)(T)
Emory University Hospital Midtown - Phil Myers, BA, RTT
Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital
Emory Decatur Hospital and Emory Hillandale Hospital are set to become new training locations in 2021.Education and Training
- Physician ResidencyToggle Menu
- Medical Physics ResidencyToggle Menu
- Medical Physics Certificate ProgramToggle Menu
- Dosimetry Training Program
- Radiation Therapy Training Program
Faculty Directory
Our faculty consists of world-class radiation oncologists and scientists on the forefront of discoveries providing the best possible care to our patients.
12 month radiation therapy programs
What Education is Required to Become a Radiation Therapist?
The majority of employers prefer you to have an associate or bachelor’s degree to become a radiation therapist. These degree programs prepare you to perform highly complicated procedures using radiation equipment so that you are also eligible to take and pass a licensing exam.
Program Cost
The cost for an associate degree can vary from $7,490 to $41,340. A bachelor’s degree costs more with a range of $32,060 to $107,560. However, you also receive more intensive training with this degree program.
| Type | Cost |
| Associate Degree | $7,490 – $41,340 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | $32,060 – $107,560 |
Program Length
Most people take about two years to finish their associate degree. A bachelor’s degree usually takes four years, but some programs offer options such as summer courses that allow you to finish faster.
| Type | Length |
| Associate Degree | 2 Years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 Years |
Can I Pursue This Program Online?
The best radiation schools require you to spend some time on a traditional campus to learn how to perform the required duties for this career. This is because you will need to work directly with the actual types of equipment that you use to administer radiation to patients. You may be able to take certain general education courses online such as mathematics or introductory computer classes.
Admission Requirements
Technical schools, colleges, and universities offer radiation therapist training. Each of these schools has requirements in place that you must meet before you are eligible for admission to
this program.
• be 18 or over
• have a high school diploma or GED
• have a passing grade on entrance exams
Curriculum
The curriculum used in a radiation therapy education program combines medical science with technology to teach you how to perform your radiation therapist duties. As with other members of the healthcare field, you will take anatomy and physiology classes along with others that teach you medical terminology and the ethics involved with patient care. Your courses will also introduce you to computer science and research methodology. Radiation therapy programs also require you to practice what you learn in a clinical setting. In the beginning, most of your practice will involve mock set ups in the classroom. Later, you may move on to working with actual patients under the guidance of a licensed radiation therapist.
What are the 9 Best Radiation Therapy Programs Accredited by JRCERT in the Nation for 2022
1) Loma Linda University – Loma Linda, CA
2) University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, NC
3) University of Massachusetts Medical School – Worcester, MA
4) Yale University – New Haven, CT
5) University of Vermont – Burlington, VT
6) Saint Louis University – Saint Louis, MO
7) University of Iowa – Iowa City, IA
8) Thomas Jefferson University – Philadelphia, PA
9) Gwynedd Mercy University – Gwynedd Valley, PA
Why Attending a Program Accredited by JRCERT Makes a Difference?
The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology assesses educational programs to make sure that they adhere to high standards that help prepare graduates for careers in the medical field. You will need to attend an educational program that holds this credential to be eligible to apply for certification and licensing as a radiation therapist.
Certification and Licensure Requirements to Work as a Radiation Therapist
Currently, the majority of states require you to be licensed or certified to practice as a radiation therapist. However, the requirements can vary, and the American Society of Radiologic Technologists provides information regarding the stipulations that each state has in place. To become licensed or obtain a permit, you will need to follow the application process for that specific state. This typically involves providing proof of your completion of an accredited degree program along with a copy of your ARRT certification or exam results.
You can get certified as a radiation therapist by seeking certification through the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Their certification process requires you to complete three separate requirements. These include completing an associate degree or higher. You will also need to pass an ethics review that makes sure that you do not have a history of unethical violations such as fraud or felony convictions that arouses concern about your professional conduct. Finally, you will need to complete an exam that is computer-based and contains multiple choice questions that pertain to your duties as a radiation therapist.
Where Do Radiation Therapists Work?
Hospitals; State, Local, and Private:
Radiation therapists work in hospitals where they help to administer treatments for cancer.
Offices of Physicians:
A physician may offer certain types of radiation therapy in their clinics that require the expertise of a certified radiation therapist.
Self-Employed Workers:
Some radiation therapists are self-employed and work with other members of the medical field on a contracted or one-time basis.
Outpatient Care Centers:
Many outpatient centers offer treatment for cancer that allows patients to receive radiation therapy and return home the same day.
| Industry | Employment | |
| Number | Percent | |
| Hospitals; State, Local, and Private | 10,130 | 58% |
| Offices of Physicians | 4,270 | 25% |
| Self-Employed Workers | 1,070 | 6% |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 1,030 | 6% |
| (Source: BLS) |
Work Environment & Conditions
As a radiation therapist, you can expect to work with patients who are undergoing medical treatments that are typically designed to prevent or eliminate cancerous tumors. Therefore, you can anticipate spending a portion of your appointments providing information to people who may be new to this type of treatment. You will also need to identify the precise area to be treated and calibrate the machinery to apply the correct treatment. This type of work can be stressful because it requires strict attention to every detail. However, radiation therapists also find it rewarding to know that they are helping patients through a challenging time. Since the position does carry the risk of accidental radiation exposure, you will be trained in how to properly protect yourself and patients from being in harm’s way.
What Starting Salary Can I Expect as a Radiation Therapist?
A radiation therapist salary starts at $28.88 and works out to approximately $60,080 a year. This amount is over four times the current federal minimum wage, and it allows you to enter the profession at a high starting salary that increases over time.
| Type | Salary |
| Hourly | $28.88 |
| Monthly | $5,010 |
| Annual | $60,080 |
| (Source: In-House Research) |
How Much Will My Salary Grow with Experience?
Your experience as a radiation therapist pays off over the course of twenty years. Your high starting salary is just the beginning since you can expect your salary to increase to around $71,350 after five years. At the twenty-year mark, a salary of $107,830 puts you in the same earning range as others who make six-figures a year. Being able to make a comfortable living while also knowing that you help others is rewarding, and you can know that your experience helps you to provide better care to each patient that enters your therapy room.
| Level of Experience | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
| 1-4 years | $28.88 | $5,010 | $60,080 |
| 5-9 years | $34.30 | $5,950 | $71,350 |
| 10-19 years | $41.75 | $7,240 | $86,850 |
| 20 years or more | $51.84 | $8,990 | $107,830 |
| (Source: BLS) |
How Many Job Openings are there for Radiation Therapy Graduates?
| New | Replacement | Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement) |
| 160 | 940 | 1,100 |
| (Source: careeronestop) |
10 Year Employment Outlook
You need to know that the educational training that you receive will allow you to find work in a career that flourishes, and radiation therapists will continue to be in high demand over the next ten years. Right now, it is anticipated that the need for employees in this field will increase by 9.04 percent. This is likely due to the overall growth in the healthcare industry. New technology has made it possible to detect cancerous tumors earlier so that more people are diagnosed while they are still eligible for radiation therapy. The aging population also contributes to the higher rate of growth in this field since they are at greater risk of needing cancer treatment. You can also expect to see this growth rise as more communities establish new medical facilities that provide radiation therapy services.
| Employment | Employment Growth, 2020-30 | ||
| 2020 | 2030 | Number | Percent |
| 17,700 | 19,300 | +1,600 | +9.04% |
| (Source: careeronestop) |
State Wise Employment, Job Openings & Salary Breakdown
| State | Employment | Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement) | Annual Average Salary |
| Alabama | 440 | 30 | 90,860 |
| Arizona | 270 | N/A | 94,320 |
| Arkansas | 100 | 20 | 73,460 |
| California | 1,260 | 80 | 126,610 |
| Colorado | 290 | 20 | 95,890 |
| Connecticut | 140 | 10 | 102,000 |
| Delaware | 50 | 0 | 98,900 |
| Florida | 1,150 | 70 | 84,840 |
| Georgia | 320 | 50 | 88,640 |
| Hawaii | ** | N/A | 94,820 |
| Idaho | 100 | 0 | 83,500 |
| Illinois | 580 | 30 | 86,830 |
| Indiana | 450 | 30 | 80,410 |
| Iowa | 140 | 10 | 77,420 |
| Kansas | 240 | 20 | 72,620 |
| Kentucky | 240 | 10 | 79,180 |
| Louisiana | 200 | 0 | 78,020 |
| Maine | 70 | 0 | 89,780 |
| Maryland | 330 | 30 | 89,840 |
| Massachusetts | 380 | 30 | 92,880 |
| Michigan | 430 | 20 | 78,760 |
| Minnesota | 420 | 20 | 85,090 |
| Mississippi | 150 | 0 | 92,600 |
| Missouri | 480 | 30 | 78,160 |
| Montana | 60 | 0 | 103,570 |
| Nebraska | 120 | 10 | 82,990 |
| Nevada | 160 | N/A | 90,120 |
| New Hampshire | 80 | 10 | 93,510 |
| New Jersey | 650 | 30 | 102,530 |
| New Mexico | 80 | 0 | 83,050 |
| New York | 1,320 | 90 | 120,470 |
| North Carolina | 550 | 30 | 80,860 |
| Ohio | 520 | 30 | 92,510 |
| Oklahoma | 300 | 20 | N/A |
| Oregon | 190 | 10 | 107,920 |
| Pennsylvania | 590 | 40 | 87,170 |
| Rhode Island | ** | N/A | 102,490 |
| South Carolina | 240 | N/A | 95,520 |
| South Dakota | 30 | 0 | 84,320 |
| Tennessee | 430 | 30 | 83,300 |
| Texas | 1,760 | 160 | 93,040 |
| Utah | 80 | N/A | 89,100 |
| Vermont | 40 | N/A | 89,430 |
| Virginia | 370 | 30 | 85,330 |
| Washington | 300 | 40 | 106,450 |
| West Virginia | 40 | N/A | 78,350 |
| Wisconsin | 900 | 40 | 82,030 |
| (Source: BLS & careeronestop) |
