Radiation therapists and ultrasound technicians are both Allied Health positions, but they have fairly different job responsibilities. The radiation technician treats cancer and different diseases that will respond to radiation treatments via the delivery of external beam therapy. The sonographer focuses on utilizing ultrasound tools to take images of soft tissues and systems for diagnostic purposes. The positions are related in that both use refined medical tools, work directly with sufferers, and are employed in a wide range of medical settings that include hospitals, doctor offices and clinics.

What does a Radiation Therapist Do?

Radiology technicians or therapists spend a big a part of their time at work performing radiation treatments on patients who have cancer. Most states require the therapist to be licensed, and licensing requires certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Primary orthopedic surgeon job description duties for radiation therapists embrace:

Consult with sufferers, explaining treatments and answering questions

Adhere to safety procedures and protect affected person from all pointless radiation publicity

Help sufferers on and off x-ray tables

Take x-rays of patient to determine precise remedy location

Operate medical linear accelerators (LINACS), setting equipment to deliver the best doses of radiation to the proper location on the patient's body

Keep affected person history, updating records to report therapy particulars

Seek the advice of with radiologist, oncologist, dosimetrist and others physicians and medical crew members
Typically, the radiation procedures are for treating all forms of cancer and are sometimes a part of a therapy regimen that additionally includes surgical procedure and/or chemotherapy. The skilled may match at a hospital, cancer remedy heart, clinic, mobile radiology units and other medical facilities.

What does an Ultrasound Technician Do?

The ultrasound technician can be called an ultrasound technologist or Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. The typical job duties are as follows:

Discuss medical history with patients and assessment and doc present well being points

Record the patient history and imaging procedures

Operate the ultrasound equipment, expertly using controls and settings to acquire the most effective pictures for diagnostic functions

Assist the affected person physically get on and off the imaging table and help them position their body so that photographs are as best as possible

Complete the sonograms, checking each one for readability and accuracy

Analyze the images taken and use important thinking expertise and experience to make decisions concerning the want for additional pictures

Guarantee pictures are properly recorded and the process documented

Interpret sonographs to carry out diagnostic responsibilities

Guarantee affected person historical past is up to date

Consult with physicians, nurses and other hospital staff as needed
The Diagnostic Medical Sonographer must have the information and abilities to expertly research the pictures produced and recognize the difference between normal and abnormal tissue and systems. Relying on their training and credentials, sonographers normally take photographs of the abdomen, breast, musculoskeletal system, female reproductive programs and cardiovascular system.

Is Radiation Therapist Wage Higher Than Ultrasound Technician Wage?

Radiation Therapists earned more than ultrasound technicians as of Might 2012 per the Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational survey. Professionals working in radiation therapy are potentially uncovered to radiated options during treatments, so it's not shocking they're paid more than Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. The Radiation Therapy Technologist earned a median salary of $eighty,410 or $38.sixty six per hour compared to the sonographers average salary of $66,360 per yr or $31.ninety per hour. However, there have been significantly more sonographers employed (110,400) compared to radiology technicians (19,one hundred).

How you can Turn into a Radiation Therapist vs. Ultrasound Technician?

Radiation therapists can earn an Associates degree or Bachelors degree in radiation therapy by finishing radiation therapist programs. There are additionally certificates programs offered primarily at vocational schools, but employers will consider those with degrees before applicants with certificates. Attending ARRT acknowledged radiation therapist schools acknowledged ensures the students obtain one of the best information and expertise wanted to pass the exams for earning the radiation therapist certification. Anyone beginning a program after 2014 should word that solely those that have earned an Affiliate degree or Bachelor's degree from a training program accredited and recognized by ARRT shall be eligible to sit for the exam for Certification in Radiography.

There's quite a lot of schools and faculties offering sonography programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Well being Programs, with many leading to an Associates degree or Bachelors degree. For individuals who have a degree in an Allied Health program, there are also certificate programs that take a yr to 18 months to complete. Accredited ultrasound technician programs include didactic and medical training. Licensing will not be necessary except in a few states, so the ultrasound technician ought to take the ultrasound technician certification exams offered by American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers after completing a CAAHEP accredited program. Credentialing is now required by most employers.