Medical radiation physicists take precise measurements of radiation beam characteristics and do other safety measurements on a regular basis. Medical physicists have doctorates or master's degrees. Qualified physicists have completed four years of college. They also have had two to four years of graduate school and typically one to two years of clinical physics training. They may be certified by the American Board of Radiology or the American Board of Medical Physics.
Radiation therapists work with the radiation oncologists in treatment planning and treatment.
They treat each patient under the physician's prescription and supervision. They maintain daily records and regularly check the treatment machines to make sure they are working properly. They take a special examination, and can be certified by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. In addition, many states require that radiation therapy technologists be licensed. Dosimetrists Dosimetrists carefully calculate the dose of radiation to make sure the tumor gets enough radiation.