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Locum radiation therapist vs radiation therapy technician

The differences between locum radiation therapists and radiation therapy technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a locum radiation therapist and a radiation therapy technician. Additionally, a locum radiation therapist has an average salary of $86,279, which is higher than the $61,960 average annual salary of a radiation therapy technician.

The top three skills for a locum radiation therapist include oncology, patients and aria. The most important skills for a radiation therapy technician are patients, radiology, and EMR.

Locum radiation therapist vs radiation therapy technician overview

Locum Radiation TherapistRadiation Therapy Technician
Yearly salary$86,279$61,960
Hourly rate$41.48$29.79
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs39,16534,724
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Associate Degree, 49%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

What does a locum radiation therapist do?

A locum radiation therapist temporarily fulfills the duties of other therapists. They provide patients treatment services to the radiation oncology department whenever they are experiencing staff shortages and perform simulations and deliver all treatment efficiently. In oncology, a locum radiation therapist managed the day-to-day operation of radiation oncology services to ensure compliance with departmental operational goals and create a program to combine PET scan fusion with radiation oncology by forging a partnership with alliance imaging. Locum radiation therapists must have technical and interpersonal skills and be detailed oriented.

What does a radiation therapy technician do?

Radar engineers are responsible for improving radar efficiency and fixing numerous technical bugs that can pop up. They will design radar equipment using advanced modeling and testing. Adhering to safety and compliance standards is also necessary. This career will require various mechanical, writing, and speaking skills for optimal success in developing mathematical algorithms.

Locum radiation therapist vs radiation therapy technician salary

Locum radiation therapists and radiation therapy technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Locum Radiation TherapistRadiation Therapy Technician
Average salary$86,279$61,960
Salary rangeBetween $64,000 And $116,000Between $40,000 And $94,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between locum radiation therapist and radiation therapy technician education

There are a few differences between a locum radiation therapist and a radiation therapy technician in terms of educational background:

Locum Radiation TherapistRadiation Therapy Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 46%Associate Degree, 49%
Most common majorBiochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular BiologyMedical Technician
Most common collegeDuke UniversityDuke University

Locum radiation therapist vs radiation therapy technician demographics

Here are the differences between locum radiation therapists' and radiation therapy technicians' demographics:

Locum Radiation TherapistRadiation Therapy Technician
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 48.0% Female, 52.0%Male, 36.1% Female, 63.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 8.7% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 5.4% White, 69.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 8.8% Hispanic or Latino, 9.9% Asian, 3.0% White, 70.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage17%17%

Differences between locum radiation therapist and radiation therapy technician duties and responsibilities

Locum radiation therapist example responsibilities.

  • Manage daily clinical staffing needs by appropriately deploying PRN therapist when need, which save company from employing an additional FTE.
  • Provide daily QA on Varian equipment.
  • Utilize a Varian 6EX machine with IMPAC record and verify software.
  • Work on Nucletron for HDR breast, skin and gynecologic treatments.
  • treat using Siemens Primus and Impac while studying for boards and job hunting.
  • Position and treat patients accurately according to physician's prescription.
  • Show more

Radiation therapy technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage flow and daily operation of the treatment linac.
  • Develop skills in RapidArc (or VMAT) treatment.
  • Train and supervise student radiotherapy technologists.
  • Deliver daily radiation therapy treatments to oncology patients.
  • Train or supervise student or subordinate radiotherapy technologists.
  • Administer and monitor anesthesia for patients receiving radiation therapy.
  • Show more

Locum radiation therapist vs radiation therapy technician skills

Common locum radiation therapist skills
  • Oncology, 25%
  • Patients, 23%
  • Aria, 12%
  • IMRT, 11%
  • IGRT, 10%
  • OBI, 4%
Common radiation therapy technician skills
  • Patients, 50%
  • Radiology, 9%
  • EMR, 7%
  • Aria, 6%
  • Patient Treatment, 5%
  • Treatment Machines, 3%

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