One of the best advantage that a radiologic technology offer is the opportunity to branch out in many possible modalities. This includes Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Computed Tomography, Research, Nuclear Medicine, Sonography, Diagnostic X-ray, Interventional Radiology and Radiation Therapy. It is very hard for many student to decide where to branch off because all modalities are interesting. I myself have changed my decision plenty of times but I have decided that Radiation Therapy is what interest me the most. Radiation Therapy fits my personality very well because I am very compassionate and empathetic. Many patients are in need of deep support from their healthcare provider and this apply especially for cancer patient.
Radiation Therapy
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The job includes the use of linear accelerator that serves to deliver radiation to the specific tissue that are affected by cancer. The machine produces high energy x-radiation that targets the cancer cell with the goal of destroying the entirety of the cancer cell. Although radiation therapy is very beneficial it also comes with risk and side effects. The radiation that is being administer from the linear accelerator does not only kill and destroy cancer cell, because it also affect normal tissue. This leads to many possible side effects, some side effects may be acute or chronic and those includes: fatigue, memory loss, fibrosis, diarrhea, bowel bleeding, infertility, and worst case scenario is to lead another type of cancer like lymphoma, breast cancer and many more. Even with the risk that comes with radiation therapy over half of the cancer patients still get purse to be treated by radiation therapy. Many scientists and researchers have a goal of improving the treatment by making it a lot safer for our cancer …show more content…
Most employer requires a minimum of associate’s degree but many certification also leads to bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy. It is a twelve month program and the program includes clinical setting while learning human anatomy and physiology, physics, algebra, computer science, and research methodology in a didactic environment. The program also includes improving a students’ technical skills because the profession require for a healthcare provider to administer the correct amount of dose to the patient. It also improves interpersonal skill of a worker because as mentioned earlier cancer patients need have a great relationship with their patients. Lastly, it also improves a students’ technical skill because the profession works on a machine and knowledge on technical equipment is a requirement. Once a student has completed the program the student will then receive the certification through American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT). The student must adhere the code of ethics and pass the ARRT registration to be able to start working as radiation therapist. Radiation therapy are associated not only with ARRT but also with American Society of Radiologic Technologist (ASRT) and American Association of Medical
The role of the radiologist is one that has undergone numerous changes over the years and continues to evolve a rapid pace. Radiologists specialize in the diagnoses of disease through obtaining and interpreting medical images. There are a number of different devices and procedures at the disposal of a radiologist to aid him or her in these diagnoses’. Some images are obtained by using x-ray or other radioactive substances, others through the use of sound waves and the body’s natural magnetism. Another sector of radiology focuses on the treatment of certain diseases using radiation (RSNA). Due to vast clinical work and correlated studies, the radiologist may additionally sub-specialize in various areas. Some of these sub-specialties include breast imaging, cardiovascular, Computed Tomography (CT), diagnostic radiology, emergency, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), musculoskeletal, neuroradiology, nuclear medicine, pediatric radiology, radiobiology, and Ultrasound (Schenter). After spending a vast amount of time on research and going to internship at the hospital, I have come to realize that my passion in science has greatly intensified. Furthermore, both experiences helped to shape up my future goals more prominently than before, which is coupled with the fact that I have now established a profound interest in radiology, or rather nuclear medicine.
The career that I chose for a possible advancement beyond a staff radiation therapist was radiation oncology supervisor. Overall the main day to day duties of a radiation oncology supervision is to make sure the department is running smoothly by making sure their staff are appropriately completing their duties. They do this by making sure the staff are sticking to the standards and ethics implemented by their profession and the hospital.1 As part of their job it is their duty to hire employees and makes sure those employees are trained to provide good care to cancer patients.1 They have many administrative day to day duties like planning budgets, developing policies, identifying problems within the department and developing solutions.1 The
Radiation therapy is a growing field that has not been around very long. This field works with patients that have many different types of cancer ranging from leukemia, lung cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancer, and brain cancer among others. Cancer can be effectively treated using surgical, chemical and radiation treatment or a combination of the three. Many advantages and disadvantages have emerged when considering the use of radiation therapy and these pros and cons should be discussed thoroughly between the Oncologist and patient before a decision has been made on a course of action. Special licensing is required to enter this specialized field of radiation therapy and can be obtained through special programs.
The team includes a radiation oncologist, radiation physicist, dosimetrist, radiation therapist, and a radiation therapy nurse. Each member of the team has a specific role in the treatment of each patient. “The radiation oncologist is a doctor specially trained to treat cancer patients with radiation.” (American Cancer Society p. 4) The oncologist will work with the dosimetrist to determine the plan for treatment. “The radiation physicist is the person who makes sure the radiation equipment is working as it should and that it gives you the dose prescribed by your radiation oncologist.” (American Cancer Society p. 4) “The dosimetrist is supervised by the radiation physicist, this person helps the radiation oncologist plan the treatment.” (American Cancer Society p. 4) “The radiation therapist is the person who operates the radiation equipment and positions you for treatment.” (American Cancer Society p. 4) Every member of the team is important to ensure the treatment is delivered safely and effectively as
What is radiology? Radiology is a branch of medical science that makes the use of radiation and radioactive materials. Radiology is related to energy- related physical phenomena in the diagnosis and treatment of particular diseases. Two major therapy- related areas of radiology are so- called therapeutic radiology. Therapeutic radiology deals particularly with the use of ionizing radiation is to treat cancer, and interventional radiology, Which radiological imaging techniques are used to assist various minimally invasive surgical procedures.
Attending Florida Southwestern State College to become an x-ray tech is a huge accomplish for me. Because I have a learning disability unfortunately I have to take remedial courses like intermediate algebra, Brush up English, and a reading course the first semester. The good thing about studying Radiology is you can switch to any type of jobs in this field. For an example, you can switch to working with MRI’s or Cat Scans if you want to try another department in the Radiology field. This specific field is for you to work with x-rays. It’s important to know the bone structure .You can work with ultrasounds to, Cat Scans, to MRI’s (Magnetic resonance imaging).
“Just take my hand, together we can do it, I’m gonna love you through it.” (I’m Gonna Love You Through It- Martina McBride). Breast cancer is an awful disease that will change your life in a single moment. ”Everything in my life was turned upside-down. I really had a wonderful life; A husband, three children. And breast cancer came along and just smashed my world” (Janelle’s Journey). Breast cancer is an aggressive war that takes a great amount of fighting to survive. “You go from being perfectly healthy, to feeling like, ‘okay, I’m dying’. It started a whirlwind of things that I never anticipated having to go through.” (Bonnie’s Story- Beyond The Shock). Did you know that the youngest person ever to have been diagnosed with breast cancer
Radiologic Technologists use radiation to produce images of tissue, organs, and vessels that make up the body, as well as cancer, tumors, broken bones, and tumors (Cape Fear Community College). If a person is in the medical imaging field to become a Radiologic Technologist to help people, this part of the job is what grabs their attention, because as soon as they find these problems they omit the images to a doctor that helps take care of it. Radiologic Technologist is a branch of Health Science Cluster Diagnostic services pathway (OkCollegeStart). When a person’s knows where their career choice starts it helps get a better overview of where to start and helps get them where they want to be. Radiologic Technologists review and evaluate developed x-ray, videotape, or computer generated information to determine if images are “satisfactory for diagnostic purposes” (OkCollegeStart). Persons who are more technology driven are attracted to this career because of the technology a person gets to use and process. Radiologic
Cancer patients often wonder if going through treatments like chemotherapy and radiation are worth the risk of the side effects, in addition to the cancerous side effects. They feel that they can’t enjoy or relax in what a short amount of time they have left because they are bedridden from the nausea and pain that treatments put them through. Patients tell their loved ones to just let them die so long as they don’t have to go through any more pain. Those who are too old, are unable to recover from the effects, or are just too far in the grips of cancer, should refuse the more harsh treatments like chemo and radiation. On the positive side, refusing treatments after a certain point can save their families from the stress and cost of hospital bills. If caught early enough, patients can opt for safer and easier routes to getting rid of cancer like surgery or by doing a stem cell transplant.
I was inspired and motivated when I saw radiographers worked on X-Rays, MRI, CT and Ultrasound scanners to produce body images which were used for disease diagnosis. Even though I was not performing a technical job, this experience installed me with a positive impression towards my decision to change a career to the Radiography.
Radiation therapists work closely with patients to fight cancer. According to Health Care Careers, Oncologists, Dosimetrists and nurses are some of the professionals that a radiation therapist works with while caring for a cancer patient. This group of professionals will determine a specialized treatment plan. The first step usually includes a CT scan performed by a radiologist to find the exact area that needs to be targeted with x-rays. Next, the therapist uses a special machine that emits radiation called a Linear Accelerator. They use this machine during a treatment called external beam therapy. During this process, the Linear Accelerator will project x-rays at targeted cancer cells or tumors. Another therapist will be in a different room monitoring the patient’s viral signs until the procedure is over. The external therapy l...
Modern medicine is capable of treating a tremendous range of human disease and injuries, but the usefulness of all medical specialties depends on accurate diagnosis. Virtually every conceivable medical specialty relies on radiological technologies to provide formal diagnoses, making radiology one of the most important of all medical specialties. Radiologists enjoy some of the best working conditions in modern medicine and typically experience very positive employment conditions. Consequently, their services are generally in very high demand, with many starting out with six-figure annual incomes immediately after completion of their professional training.
Radiology technology is a science of using radiation to produce images. There are many jobs you can perform in diagnostic imaging usually a radiologic technologist will oft...
There used to be training programs that range from six months to two years in duration and result in a certificate upon successful completion. Course work will include anatomy, patient positioning, radiation safety, and basic patient care. Now, beginning in January 2015, there is a requirement for every one to pursue a career in Radiology to have a license before they can even get a job as a radiologic technologist. There is an exam after you complete your two-year schooling in a radiology school that you must take to obtain your licensure. This exam is called the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. You must complete this within a certain amount of time after your graduation date from the facility you earned your degree from to receive a license while earning your required continuing education credits to work in the
I was under the assumption that Radiology was primarily X-ray. I couldn’t be more wrong! The RT 100 course, does an outstanding job helping students understand all that is involved within the department. Exploring modalities, equipment, expectations, and organizations, gave us, the students, plenty to contemplate. Material presented, gave me a firm foundation on what I will need to consider, assuming this will be the field of science I choose to pursue. I also feel that if I continue, there will be no surprises on what is expected of me because practically every detail is discussed within the