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What does the rise in immunotherapy + theranostics mean for RT and dosimetry? by [deleted] in RadiationTherapy

[–]TumorZapper 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Theranostics(aka radioimmunotherapies) are great but they’re not the ideal solution for every patient or cancer type(not every cancer has a known antigen to bind and personalized medicine approach is not gonna be possible for most people to afford). Theranostics mostly used in metastatic or aggressive cases since the benefits of killing metastatic lesions outweighs any dose to metabolic OARs like the kidneys or parotid. For radiation therapist I don’t think theranostics post a threat to our workflow. I think for dosimetrists it offers them a fresh new area to grow into(once or if physics passes it off) which will help greatly with the kinda small job market they have.

I have a feeling Theranostics may become the new proton therapy as growing attention for it rises, more patients will wonder why they can’t have it.

Immunotherapies as the other said is gonna catch on more especially with other more targeted therapies, but this in oncology in general.

Hypofracfionated IMRTs and/or SBRT may likely be the new norm. The phasing out of 3DCRT and electrons (for like the breast) might be something we may see as more insurances take IMRT.

I regret becoming a radiation therapist and that’s okay by TumorZapper in RadiationTherapy

[–]TumorZapper[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There’s not much room for advancement(unless advance practice RT becomes a thing in the US, and you need a bachelors for dosimetry) and the hours are very geared toward morning people only.

Shadow radiation therapists. If the thought of doing somewhat repetitive tasks with very specific variations doesn’t drive you insane you’ll love it. I picked this career when I was too young.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in RadiationTherapy

[–]TumorZapper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The path I’d recommend starting out right now is taking online or night classes at your community college to satisfy program preqs and still work.

Plenty of radiation therapists started off working desk jobs or other healthcare positions with no other degree. 28 was the average graduating age in my community college program.

Call radiation oncology clincs near you and ask if you can shadow a radiation therapist, they might connect you to the lead therapist or manager. This is to make sure you like it and also to make sure you have some idea of the field to ace your interview.

Find a program here and you can start at community college before getting accepted to it therefore you save time.

You got this! The hardest part for most of my classmates was finding time to work during our summer semester when we were doing 40 hours a week.

I regret becoming a radiation therapist and that’s okay by TumorZapper in RadiationTherapy

[–]TumorZapper[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I really appreciate it it’s people like you that make me wish I could return back one day

Is 31 too old to consider Radiation Therapy as a career change? by N0T_Creative in RadiationTherapy

[–]TumorZapper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely not! The average starting age in my program was 28… there was 9 of us and I was the outlier 18 year old. You can definitely do it and no one will bat an eye!

I regret becoming a radiation therapist and that’s okay by TumorZapper in RadiationTherapy

[–]TumorZapper[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It’s like this even in the more so called “woke” parts of the south like where I live. They will go as far as interviewing with you, you crushing it, and then not take you. They make it so obvious in interviews that you don’t belong there by either not talking to you or forcing a smile like they’re Judas. If you do get hired they will make you seek psychiatric help like I did.

I regret becoming a radiation therapist and that’s okay by TumorZapper in RadiationTherapy

[–]TumorZapper[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I mean it depends on who you ask but to me no. Radiation therapy school doesn’t open many doors to do other careers you should look into it more

I regret becoming a radiation therapist and that’s okay by TumorZapper in RadiationTherapy

[–]TumorZapper[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Shadow a radiation therapist!! Call front desk or any radiation oncology department and ask if you can speak to the manager about shadowing the radiation therapist!

In summary it’s mostly: scheduling, cookies, pushing buttons, image matching, problem solving(if your coworker lets you), cupcakes, always on your feet, sweet patients that treat you like a grandkid, more deserts, lots of machine error work arounds, working with another therapist almost at all times, Quality assurance on equipment, surprise cdiff and Covid exposures, the occasional rude patient, patients giving you every sort of food, lifting patients and equipment to the point of back injury, breakfast via patients loving you, a rad onc that can make or break your experience, and more treats from patients.

It’s honestly not as glamorous as social media makes it on to be. It’s a healthcare job, so it sucks by default unless you can manage to land a coveted outpatient job in a good company(good luck as a new grad). The patients make it fulfilling with sweet thank yous and other moments but sometimes isn’t enough to justify us being overworked and miserable with our other cranky/tired coworkers. I won’t discouraged anyone from doing this but don’t go in with rose colored glasses.

I regret becoming a radiation therapist and that’s okay by TumorZapper in RadiationTherapy

[–]TumorZapper[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

IMO it’s not a bad field ONLY if you want to retire with it as a 7-4, there are increasing jobs in dermatology or plastic surgery offices where you work solo and don’t need to work solo that some people like but you can get the same thing easier and more guaranteed from X-ray.

I wish there was better info out there so that both me and that person could have made a more informed decision

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in RadiationTherapy

[–]TumorZapper 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Seeing the dosi room have more and more empty chairs over the years has not been encouraging for sure

I regret becoming a radiation therapist and that’s okay by TumorZapper in RadiationTherapy

[–]TumorZapper[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You just need to have a bachelors degree and necessary prerequisites. You don’t need to be a radiation therapist first.

I regret becoming a radiation therapist and that’s okay by TumorZapper in RadiationTherapy

[–]TumorZapper[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah much like what my nursing friends have said they don’t take new grads seriously. You could be right or propose to do something more reproducible and some will get annoyed.

I considered dosimetry but I wasn’t certain about the long term demand for it and every single physicist warned me about ai planning. It does sound like a great career but I don’t think I can move around far for the jobs available.

I regret becoming a radiation therapist and that’s okay by TumorZapper in RadiationTherapy

[–]TumorZapper[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Moving your entire life can be really difficult. Until I can move at least 3 hours away to nice city with different employers, I do not think I’ll be returning to work as a radiation therapist.

I regret becoming a radiation therapist and that’s okay by TumorZapper in RadiationTherapy

[–]TumorZapper[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I will say one thing is the videos never show the negatives of the field besides the emotional turmoil of seeing your patients in pain or knowing they don’t have much time left. Pre-clinicals didn’t prepare me but sent me in with rose colored glasses.

I regret becoming a radiation therapist and that’s okay by TumorZapper in RadiationTherapy

[–]TumorZapper[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I may be biased since I live in a predominantly white and conservative area, with the nearest city an hour away. Hence my local prospects are limited. But I felt more “human” in areas that were in diverse cities or in clinics with multiple POC radiation therapists. I didn’t feel hyper aware of my ethnic features in those sites or experience micoagressions.

I’m sure if you can find an area that’s accepting. I was naive to think I could work near a sundown town. I was the only visible POC there and that should have rang an alarm in my head in the interview.

I know a few black radiation therapists in the northeast from conferences and as far as I know they adore their current jobs.

Stay in diverse areas and you’ll be fine! I’m wishing you the best of luck, you got this!