The skyrocketing rise in mental stress and anxiety due to work or work-related problems is appalling. About one in four workers consider their job their top stress. Why is that so? Though the answer to the question is subjective and multifold, the common reason is the lack of satisfaction and extra workload. The unbearable workload and less gratification at the workplace lead to many mental and physical health disorders. While the situation may change from workplace to workplace, it also depends on the nature of the job. If you are a doctor, you cannot expect to get paid without seeing patients. Having said that, the field of radiotherapy is considered to have a wide range of low-stress jobs. If you have an interest in the medical field and want to earn a good income without tiring yourself, you must opt for it.
So, what actually is radiation therapy?
Radiation therapy, also known as radiography is one of the primary treatments for controlling cancer. It uses mechanisms that produce highly potential ionization radiations that primarily contribute to annihilating cancer cells. High doses of radiation shrink tumors by destroying the cancer cells. Radiation therapy has helped many cancer patients around the world, which is why it is widely known as a highly effective technique. While this therapy is very significant for treating cancer, it has its share of side effects too. Though there are many side effects of radiation therapy, the risk of damaging healthy cells is the biggest of all. The radiations can destroy the healthy cells if the wrong technique is incorporated during treatment.
What does a radiation therapist do?
A radiation therapist is one of the allied health positions. The radiation therapists treat(mainly)cancer and other diseases that need radiation treatments to culminate the ailment. The radiation therapists spend most of the time performing radiation treatments and offering external beam therapy. The radiation therapists are therefore engaged with the patient before, meanwhile, and after the treatment. The main jobs of the radiation therapists include:
- Consultation and communication with patients
- Adhere to standard operating procedures to protect patients from unnecessary radiation exposures
- Taking an x-ray of the patient
- Operating Medical Linear Accelerators
- Assist patients while before and after treatment
- Maintaining the records and history of the patient
15 low-stress jobs for radiation therapists?
The radiation therapists are responsible to administer the treatments to patients with cancer and other related diseases. They usually work as a part of oncology, but they have their respective duties. While radiation therapists work for hours to help the patients, it is considered a fairly low-stress job. Unlike other medical roles, radiation therapists work for some particular hours and earn a handsome amount of money. On top of that, they do not need an advanced degree to be able to do the job.
1. X-ray technologists:
What it is:
The job of the x-ray technologists is to take an x-ray of the patients’ internal anatomy to help physicians diagnose the illness. They are required to have a thorough knowledge of anatomy, radiographic exposure, patient care, and positioning. They have specific timing for their job, which varies with different medical establishments.
Responsibilities:
The responsibilities of the X-ray technologists include:
- Guiding the patients about the x-ray procedure and answering their questions
- Using the X-ray equipment to take the radiographic image of the patient
- Avoiding patients from unnecessary radiation exposure
- Ensuring the maintenance and upkeeping of the x-ray equipment
Required education:
Certificate of an associate degree or bachelor’s degree in radiologic technology or any relevant field of radiology.
2. MRI technician:
What it is:
The MRI technicians work in the radiography department. They manage the Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanners(MRIs). These imaging scanners are used to diagnose patients with problems ranging from simple to complex, such as bad sprains to tumors. Just like the job of an x-ray technologist, the MRI technician is a low-stress job.
Responsibilities:
- The MRI technicians are responsible for guiding and explaining the MRI procedure to the patients
- Positioning patients appropriately to capture a clear image
- Removing and replacing the IVs after use
- Monitoring and maintaining the patient’s records
Required education:
To be an MRI technician, you need to have an associate degree in MRI or radiology technology. You may also require a license to work.
3. Ultrasound technician:
What it is:
An ultrasound technician is the one who carries out an ultrasound imaging procedure. Ultrasound, also known as sonography, is the use of high-frequency sound waves to capture the image of the patients’ internal anatomy. Ultrasound does not use ionizing radiations; therefore, it is preferred to image a pregnant woman or infants. It helps to examine parts of the human body such as the abdomen, reproduction system, heart, and vessels. All the imaging jobs, including x-ray, MRI, and ultrasound, are less tiring jobs as they need specific skills practiced on every patient.
Responsibilities:
The responsibilities of an ultrasound technician are to:
- Prepare the room and the ultrasound equipment
- Capture the accurate anatomy and pathology
- Ensure the maintenance and upkeeping of ultrasound equipment
Required education:
To become an ultrasound technician, you need to have an associate degree in diagnostic medical sonography.
4. Radiology nurse:
What it is:
A radiology nurse is a nurse that works under the radiology premises to take care of the patients. They offer to nurse the patients who have to undergo a diagnostic imaging procedure or radiotherapy.
Responsibilities:
The radiology nurses are responsible for:
- Guiding and answering the questions of the patients regarding radiation therapy
- They assess the health of the patients. For example, they monitor the blood pressure, temperature, and pulse rate, etc.
- Help the patients while moving when going through diagnostic imaging procedures.
- Monitor the medication timings
- Monitor the recovery of the patient
Required education:
To become a radiology nurse, you must have an associate degree in nursing or a bachelor of science in nursing.
5. Dental hygienist:
What it is:
A dental hygienist has a very occasional job but gets a good salary in a hospital or private radiography center. A dental hygienist is responsible for cleaning teeth, examine patients for symptoms of oral diseases. They also guide the patients on ways to maintain good oral health.
The responsibility of the dental hygienist includes interpreting the quality of the radiography image and detecting the dental problems visible on those images.
Responsibilities:
The roles of the dental hygienist are:
- To identify any dental problems in the patient.
- Educate the patient on ways to improve teeth and oral health.
- They also take dental x-rays to evaluate the patients’ oral health.
Required education:
The dental hygienists require an associate diploma in dental hygiene or a bachelor’s or master’s degree in dental hygiene.
6. Physical therapist assistants:
What it is:
Physical therapist assistants a.k.a, PTAs are trained to help patients to rebuke their movement and activity which had suffered from the illness. A physical therapist assistant works under a professional physical therapist and his instructions. A PTA implements a plan created by the physical therapist to improve movement, reduce pain, and prevent disability. The physical therapist assistants in the department of radiation help the patients who have a problem with movement and functioning.
Responsibilities:
- The role of the PTAs is to monitor the patients’ progress and recovery in terms of their range of motion of the body
- They are also responsible for educating the patient on the exercises to continue their rehabilitation
- The PTAs offer therapeutic massage to the patients to regain the typical range of motion
Required education:
In order to become a physical therapist assistant, you will need an associate diploma or a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy.
7. Radiologic technologist:
What it is:
Radiological technologists perform different diagnostic imaging procedures, such as X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and Ultrasounds. Some radiologic technologists specialize in particular imaging examination techniques, like sonography, mammography, or cardiovascular-interventional radiography.
Responsibilities:
The radiologic technologist is responsible to:
- Upkeep the diagnostic imaging material and equipment
- Record the exact diagnostic image of the exact body part
- Instruct and advising the patients
- Prevent patients from unnecessary exposures to radiation
- Manage and monitoring the records
Required education:
You must have an associate degree or bachelor’s degree in radiology or a related field to do the job of radiological technologist.
8. Ultrasound supervisor:
What it is:
An ultrasound supervisor is one who controls and oversees the daily operations of the ultrasound department. Though an ultrasound supervisor has to follow the guidelines of a physician, s/he has the control to manage equipment and material related to ultrasound.
Responsibilities:
- Ultrasound supervisors are responsible for monitoring the performance of workers in the sonography department
- They have to guide the patients about the process
- Upkeep and maintain the ultrasound space, material, and equipment
Required education:
To become an ultrasound supervisor, you will need an associate degree in sonography.
9. Respiratory therapist:
What it is:
Respiratory therapists are the professionals who help patients with lungs and breathing problems. Although they are not doctors, they help in diagnosing respiratory problems. In a radiation therapy department, a respiratory therapist helps to identify any detrimental respiratory risks in the patients before they go through radiation therapy.
Responsibilities:
The responsibilities of the respiratory therapists are:
- To diagnose respiratory problems in a patient
- To arrange the tests and diagnostic examinations
- To work with physicians and nurses to create a plan for treatment
- Treat the patients
- Monitor and record their recovering progress
Required education:
To become a respiratory therapist, you must have an associate degree in respiratory care or a bachelor’s of health science in respiratory care.
10. Nuclear medicine technologist:
What it is:
A nuclear medicine technologist observes how a body functions, the assessment of which helps in the diagnosis and treatment of a disease. It is an amalgamation of imaging, patient care, science and technology, and medicine. Nuclear medicine technologists make radioactive drugs known as radiopharmaceuticals for patients.
Responsibilities:
- They are responsible for making radioactive and other drugs for the patients.
- They capture images that are useful for diagnosing a disease.
- They work in labs to make as well as examine specimens.
Required education:
You will need an associate degree in nuclear medicine technology or a bachelor’s degree to become a nuclear medicine technologist.
11. Radiology manager:
What it is:
A radiology manager is responsible for controlling and managing the day-to-day activities of a diagnostic imaging department. S/he oversees the daily medical progress of each patient. The radiology manager guides the technical staff and ensures the maintenance of diagnostic and treatment equipment and material.
Responsibilities:
- A radiology manager is responsible for coordinating the radiology and diagnostic imaging procedures
- Oversee the day-to-day progress of patients
- Ensure the maintenance and upkeep of the diagnostic equipment
- Provide statistical data about the treatment and clinical data
Required education:
To become a radiology manager, you need an associate degree in radiologic technology or a bachelor’s degree in health care administration or clinical radiation science.
12. Clinical educator:
What it is:
A clinical educator is also called a nursing professional development specialist. S/he is responsible for offering a wide range of training and skill enhancement duties in the healthcare facility. They are responsible for ensuring that the nurses are well-trained and skilled to conform with the requirements of respective health care units. As the name suggests, the primary role of clinical educators is to educate and train the healthcare staff.
Responsibilities:
- In the learning institutions like colleges and universities, clinical educators ensure students are equipped with relevant skills
- In the hospitals, the clinical educators train employees regarding the organization’s equipment and procedure
- The clinical educators can write policies for the oncology unit
Required education:
You will need to have a post-doctorate degree in radiology to become a clinical educator.
13. Radiologist assistant:
What it is:
A radiologist assistant is one who works under the supervision of a radiologist. The primary role of the radiologist assistant is to assist the radiologist in improving the health of the patient by assessing the condition and carrying out the required examinations.
Responsibilities:
First of all, the radiologist is responsible for looking after the patients’ health. It means that S/he helps in carrying out and assessing the imaging examinations.
They must monitor and observe the patient’s history and progress.
A radiologist assistant is also responsible for communicating with empathy with patients. S/he must address the queries of the patients and their relatives.
Required education:
You must have at least a bachelor’s degree for this job.
14. Radiologist:
What it is:
A radiologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating disease and injury using different diagnostic imaging techniques such as x-rays, CT scans, MRIs, nuclear medicine, and ultrasound.
Responsibilities:
- They are responsible for examining the patient and evaluate their medical history.
- Perform and interpret the diagnostic imaging techniques.
- Diagnose disease and injuries.
Required education:
The required education to become a radiologist is a doctor of medicine and a doctor of osteopathic medicine.
15. Radiation oncologists:
What it is:
A radiation oncologist is one who uses the therapeutic properties of radiations to treat cancer. They can work in private treatment centers or in hospitals.
Responsibilities:
The responsibilities of the radiation oncologists include:
- They must prevent the patients from exposing healthy cells from getting damaged.
- They must examine the patients’ history before carrying out therapeutic procedures.
- They must ensure to establish optimized protocols for the therapeutic procedures.
Required education:
You must get a doctorate degree in radiology to become a radiation oncologist.
Bottom line:
If you want to pursue a career in radiation therapy, you have some of the low-stress professional options as: X-ray technologists, MRI technicians, Ultrasound technicians, Radiology nurses, Dental hygienists, Physical Therapist assistants, Radiologic technologists, Ultrasound supervisors, Respiratory therapists, Nuclear medicine technologists, Radiology managers, Clinical educators, Radiologist assistants, Radiologist, and Radiation Oncologists.