Radiation Therapy Programs in Florida

Radiation Therapy in Florida – Steps to Become a Radiation Therapist in Florida

Fighting cancer is the primary job of radiation therapists, also called radiation therapy technologists. Radiation therapy in Florida offers a rewarding career assisting oncologists in using radiation to eradicate cancer cells. In order to become a radiation therapist in Florida, individuals must be certified by the Florida Department of Health. In order to receive Florida certification, you have to complete a radiation therapy program in Florida and pass the AART (American Registry of Radiation Technologists) examination. After submitting your application for license to the Florida Department of Health, you can take the 200 question exam, which covers clinical concepts, radiation protection, and patient care.

Over 1,400 radiation technologists are employed in Florida, making it the state with the second largest number of radiation therapists in the country. The annual mean wage of a radiation therapist in Florida is $76,080. The national mean annual wage is $79,380, so radiation therapy in Florida provides only slightly lower annual wages than the national average and even with the median annual wage in the field. The job outlook for radiation therapy is great, because the field in growing faster than the average. There is an expected twenty percent increase by 2020.

Tuition costs for radiation therapy programs in Florida typically range from $9,000 to $12,000 per semester. There are programs offered at Keiser University, MedVance Institute, Heritage Institute, Fortis College, Anthem College, Lincoln Technical Institute, Southeastern College, ATA Career Education, Broward Community College, Miami-Dade College, Hillsborough Community College, School for 21st Century Oncology, Florida Community College, and more. The schools in Florida offer one-year programs, two-year associate degrees, and four-year bachelor degrees. Though you can receive your certification with a simple training program, most employers require an associate degree at the very least. The program you choose should also be accredited for the work to be considered valid.

How to become a radiation therapy specialist in Florida includes getting training, applying to the Florida Department of Health, and passing the certification exam. After fulfilling these three criteria, radiation therapists in Florida are ready to apply for positions helping fight cancer. There is nothing quite like helping a cancer patient achieve remission, and live to enjoy their families and lives for more years. Radiation technologists should have good interpersonal skills, an understanding of human anatomy, training in the safe use of radiation, and more. With these skills, professionals in radiation therapy can enjoy rewarding careers in the medical field.