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Home » Related Occupations » Sonographer vs. Radiation Therapist

Sonographer vs. Radiation Therapist: Programs, Salary and Jobs

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  • What does a Radiation Therapist Do?
  • What does an Ultrasound Technician Do?
  • Is Radiation Therapist Salary Higher Than Sonography Salary?
  • How to Become a Radiation Therapist vs. Sonographer?
  • Radiation Therapist Programs by State
  • Pros and Cons

Radiation Therapists and Diagnostic Medical Sonographers are both Allied Health positions, but they have quite different job responsibilities. The Radiation Therapist treats cancer and other diseases that may respond to radiation treatments through the delivery of external beam therapy. The Diagnostic Medical Sonographer focuses on using ultrasound equipment to take images of soft tissues and systems for diagnostic purposes. The positions are similar in that both use sophisticated medical equipment, work directly with patients, and are employed in a variety of medical settings that include hospitals, physician offices and clinics.

What does a Radiation Therapist Do?

Radiology Technicians or Therapists spend a large 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). Main job duties for Radiation Therapists include:

  • Consult with patients, explaining treatments and answering questions
  • Adhere to safety procedures and protect patient from all unnecessary radiation exposure
  • Assist patients on and off x-ray tables
  • Take x-rays of patient to determine exact treatment location
  • Operate medical linear accelerators (LINACS), setting equipment to deliver the right doses of radiation to the correct location on the patient’s body
  • Maintain patient history, updating records to record treatment details
  • Consult with radiologist, oncologist, dosimetrist, physicians and other medical team members

Typically, the radiation procedures are for treating all types of cancer and are often part of a treatment regimen that also involves surgery and/or chemotherapy. The professional may work at a hospital, cancer treatment center, clinic, mobile radiology units and other medical facilities.

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What does an Ultrasound Technician Do?

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

  • Discuss medical history with patients and review and document current health issues
  • Record the patient history and imaging procedures
  • Operate the ultrasound equipment, expertly using controls and settings to obtain the best images for diagnostic purposes
  • Help the patient physically get on and off the imaging table and help them position their body so that images are as ideal as possible
  • Complete the sonograms, checking each one for clarity and accuracy
  • Analyze the images taken and use critical thinking skills and experience to make decisions concerning the need for additional images
  • Ensure images are properly recorded and the procedure documented
  • Interpret sonographs to perform diagnostic responsibilities
  • Ensure patient history is updated
  • Consult with physicians, nurses and other hospital staff as necessary

The Diagnostic Medical Sonographer must have the knowledge and skills to expertly study the images produced and recognize the difference between normal and abnormal tissue and systems. Depending on their training and credentials, sonographers usually take images of the abdomen, breast, musculoskeletal system, female reproductive systems and cardiovascular system.

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Is Radiation Therapist Salary Higher Than Sonography Salary?

Radiation Therapists earned more than Ultrasound Technologists as of May 2016 per the Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational survey. Professionals working in radiation therapy are potentially exposed to radiated solutions during treatments, so it is not surprising they are paid more than Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. The Radiation Therapy Technologist earned a median salary of $80,160 or $38.54 per hour compared to the sonographers average salary of $69,650 per year or $33.49 per hour. However, there were significantly more sonographers employed (65,790) compared to radiology technicians (17,450). | See Job Openings

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How to Become a Radiation Therapist vs. Sonographer?

Radiation Therapists can earn an Associates degree or Bachelors degree in radiation therapy by completing radiation therapist programs. There are also certificate programs offered mainly at vocational schools, but employers will consider those with degrees before applicants with certificates. Attending ARRT recognized radiation therapist schools recognized ensures the students obtain the best knowledge and skills needed to pass the exams for earning the radiation therapist certification. Anyone starting a program after 2014 should note that only those who have earned an Associate degree or Bachelor’s degree from a training program accredited and recognized by ARRT will be eligible to sit for the exam for Certification in Radiography.

A List of Best Radiation Therapist Programs by State

StateCitySchoolZipContact NamePhone
AlabamaBirminghamUniversity of Alabama35294-0001Kerry L Glasscock(205)934-7368
AlabamaMobileUniversity of South Alabama36688-0002Patricia A Brewer(251)445-9346
ArizonaPhoenixGateway Community College85034-1704Julia Jacobs(602)286-8483
ArkansasState UniversityArkansas State University72467-0910Tracy B White(870)972-3073
ArkansasLittle RockCentral Arkansas Radiation Therapy Institute72205-6523Sheila R Randolph(501)660-7621
CaliforniaSan FranciscoCity College of San Francisco94112-1821Kyle R Thornton(415)239-3767
CaliforniaDuarteCity of Hope91010-3012Christine J Homan-Forell(626)301-8247
CaliforniaLoma LindaLoma Linda University92354-2804Carol A L Davis(909)558-7368
CaliforniaCosta MesaNational University92626-1502Cheryl R Young(714)429-5118
ColoradoDenverCommunity College of Denver80230-0000Don P Mc Coy(303)981-0860
ConnecticutNew HavenGateway Community College06510-3304Gina M Finn(203)285-2392
ConnecticutManchesterManchester Community College06045-1046Nora Gervais Uricchio(860)512-2730
District of ColumbiaWashingtonHoward University20059-1024Marquise D Frazier(202)806-5576
FloridaCape Coral21st Century Oncology Inc33990-3213Claire M Skowronski(239)573-5972
FloridaCoconut CreekBroward College33066-1615Kathryn A Almquist(954)201-2152
FloridaJacksonvilleFlorida State College32218-4436Jane A Wiggins(904)766-6643
FloridaTampaHillsborough Community College33630-0000Karen M Nelson(813)253-7372
FloridaDelray BeachIAMP Cambridge Institute33484Jacqueline K Mylan(561)381-4990
FloridaLakelandKeiser University33805-2316Jennifer L Hsu(863)682-6020
FloridaMelbourneKeiser University32901-1853Shawn D Zaicek(321)586-9841
FloridaMiamiMiami Dade College33127-0000Richard Prentiss(305)237-4030
GeorgiaSavannahArmstrong State University31419-0000Pamela C Cartright(912)344-2834
GeorgiaAugustaAugusta University30912-2613Myra Lynne Eggert(706)721-4179
GeorgiaAtlantaGrady Health System30303-3031Kevin E Kindle(404)616-5024
GeorgiaAtlantaIAMP Cambridge Institute30342Leigh A Akley(404)255-4500
IllinoisGlen EllynCollege of DuPage60137-6708Jeffrey A Papp(630)942-2074
IllinoisChicagoNorthwestern Memorial Hospital60611-2908Heather Z Mallett(312)926-2733
IllinoisCarbondaleSouthern Illinois University62901-2583Kevin S Collins(618)453-8800
IllinoisJolietUniversity of Saint Francis60435-6169Leia D C Levy(815)768-8356
IndianaIndianapolisIndiana University Department of Radiation Oncology46202-5116Maria C Walker(317)944-1343
IndianaGaryIndiana University Northwest College of Health and Human Services46408-1101Amanda G Sorg(219)981-4204
IndianaBloomingtonIvy Tech Community College47404-9772Karlee Renee Wyatt(812)330-6288
IndianaSouth BendRadiological Technologies University VT46601Mellonie F BrownUnknown
IowaIowa CityUniversity of Iowa52242-1009Jared Lee Stiles(319)356-8286
KansasTopekaWashburn University66621-0001Becky J Dodge(785)670-1440
KentuckyLouisvilleBellarmine University40205-1863Carol M Scherbak(502)272-8355
LouisianaNew OrleansDelgado Community College70119-4399Robin L Wegener(504)671-6230
MarylandBaltimoreCommunity College of Baltimore County21237-3855Adrienne M Dougherty(443)840-1505
MassachusettsMiltonLaboure College02186-4253Pauline E Clancy(617)296-8300
MassachusettsBostonMCPHS University02115-5804Kelly A Ebert(617)224-3322
MassachusettsBostonSuffolk University02108-5302Lisa A Crouse(617)973-5315
MassachusettsWorcesterUMass Memorial Medical Center01655-0002Patricia E Webster(774)442-5551
MichiganJacksonBaker College49202-1230Terilynn K Fedchenko(517)780-4562
MichiganGrand RapidsGrand Valley State University49503-3314Le Shell J Palmer(616)331-5949
MichiganFlintUniversity of Michigan48502-1907Julie A Hollenbeck(810)424-5368
MichiganDetroitWayne State University48201-2427Adam F Kempa(313)577-1137
MinnesotaEaganArgosy University Twin Cities55121-1756Jennifer M Rems(651)846-3437
MinnesotaRochesterMayo Clinic School of Health Sciences55905-0001Leila A Bussman-Yeakel(507)284-4148
MinnesotaMinneapolisUniversity of Minnesota Medical Center Fairview55455-0363Patricia Fountinelle(612)273-5107
MissouriSaint LouisSaint Louis University Doisy College63104-1111Kathleen Oelke Kienstra(314)977-8630
NebraskaOmahaUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center68198-4545Lisa A Bartenhagen(402)559-4236
NevadaLas VegasCollege of Southern Nevada89146-1139James W Godin(702)651-7370
New HampshireConcordNHTI - Concord's Community College03301-7425Amy C Vonkadich(603)271-0700
New JerseyParamusBergen Community College07652-1508Carol A Chovanec(201)493-5034
New JerseyLivingstonSaint Barnabas Medical Center07039-5672Jennie S Lichtenberger(973)322-5628
New YorkBuffaloErie Community College City Campus14203-2601Jean E Wood(716)270-4726
New YorkBronxManhattan College10471-4004Kayla M Valentino(718)862-7834
New YorkNew YorkMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center10065-6007Linda D Schaaf(212)639-6835
New YorkGarden CityNassau Community College11530-6719Carolyn Confusione(516)572-9640
New YorkBrooklynNew York Methodist Hospital11229-2093Myriam Soto(718)645-3500
New YorkStony BrookSUNY11794-7028Samantha D Skubish(646)574-9958
New YorkSyracuseSUNY Upstate Medical University13210-2306Joan O'brien(315)464-6937
North CarolinaCharlotteCarolinas College of Health Sciences28232Ronald L Braswell Jr(704)355-6937
North CarolinaWinston SalemForsyth Technical Community College27103-5150Christina R Gibson(336)734-7184
North CarolinaGreenvillePitt Community College27835-0000Freida E Spencer(252)493-7452
North CarolinaChapel HillUniversity of North Carolina27514-4220Robert D Adams(919)445-5210
OhioSalemKent State University44460Victoria L Migge(330)337-4133
OhioColumbusOhio State University43210-1240Ruth M Hackworth(614)293-6203
OklahomaOklahoma CityUniversity of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center73117-1215Stacy L Anderson(405)271-6477
OregonPortlandOregon Health & Science University97201-5042Kristi L Tonning(503)494-6708
PennsylvaniaPittsburghCommunity College of Allegheny County15212-6003Kelli A Collette(412)237-2752
PennsylvaniaGwynedd ValleyGwynedd Mercy University19437-0901Rose Marie Troutman(267)448-1429
PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaThomas Jefferson University19107-5211Matthew F Marquess(215)503-1434
South DakotaMitchellMitchell Technical Institute57301-4900Paula A Freeman(605)995-7162
TennesseeClarksvilleAustin Peay State University37044-0001Amy Freshley Lebkuecher(931)221-7240
TennesseeMemphisBaptist College of Health Sciences38104-3110Julia L Lasley(901)572-2644
TennesseeChattanoogaChattanooga State Community College37406-1018Lisa D Legg(423)697-3336
TennesseeNashvilleVanderbilt Center of Radiation Oncology37232-0002Karen K Munyon(615)343-9239
TexasAmarilloAmarillo College79178-0001Anthony M Tackitt(806)354-6063
TexasEl PasoEl Paso Community College79998-0000(915)831-2000
TexasGalvestonGalveston College77550-7447Hubert Callahan(409)944-1492
TexasSan MarcosTexas State University78666-4684Reynaldo G Lozano(512)245-1345
TexasHoustonUniversity of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center77030-4000Shaun T Caldwell(713)792-3455
TexasDallasUT Southwestern Medical Center75390-9082Kameka L Rideaux(214)648-1512
UtahOgdenWeber State University84408-3925Robert J Walker(801)626-7156
VermontBurlingtonUniversity of Vermont05405-1743Wade M Carson(802)656-0341
VirginiaRichmondVirginia Commonwealth University23284-3057Melanie C Dempsey(804)828-9104
VirginiaRoanokeVirginia Western Community College24038-4007Matilda A Conner(540)587-6104
WashingtonBellevueBellevue College98007-6406Linda S Schinman(425)564-3058
West VirginiaMorgantownWest Virginia University Hospitals26506-9234Christina M Paugh(304)598-4715
WisconsinLa CrosseUniversity of Wisconsin La Crosse54601-3742Melissa R Weege(608)785-6979

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There is a variety of schools and colleges offering sonography programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP), with many leading to an Associates degree or Bachelors degree. For those who have a degree in an Allied Health program, there are also certificate programs that take a year to 18 months to complete. Accredited ultrasound technician programs include didactic and clinical training. Licensing is not mandatory except in a few states, so the ultrasound technician should take the ultrasound technician certification exams offered by American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) after completing a CAAHEP accredited program. Credentialing is now required by most employers.

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Making the Right Career Choice

There are two considerations when choosing the right Allied Health career. The first concerns position growth over the next decade. For the period 2014 to 2024, there is a growth of 2,300 new positions projected for Radiation Therapists compared to 16,000 job positions for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers. The other major consideration is the fact that radiation therapists do work with hazardous materials, while exposure is limited for ultrasound technicians.

What are Pros and Cons of Becoming a Radiation Therapist?

Following are some advantages of becoming a Radiation Therapist:

  • Works as a member of a medical team to devise customized patient treatment plans
  • Able to deliver treatments for serious medical conditions, and that can be very rewarding when the person recovers or their life is extended
  • Normally has a regular work schedule and day shifts unless working in an emergency department or facility
  • Can pursue ARRT post-primary pathways to certification in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography, Bone Density, Quality Management, Sonography and Vascular Sonography

Following are some disadvantages of become a Radiation Therapist:

  • Potential exposure to hazardous radioactive materials and radiation from equipment
  • Requires standing 80 percent of the time and must frequently turn and lift patients unable to help themselves, so it is a physically demanding job
  • Can be emotionally draining job since many patients are often seriously ill and under a lot of stress

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What are Pros and Cons of Becoming an Ultrasound Tech?

Following are some advantages of becoming an Ultrasound Technician:

  • Ideal career choice for those who want to work in the medical field but prefer to have a limited scope of responsibility
  • Interesting and varied work requiring professional judgment concerning the type, number and scope of images required based on the patient’s medical issues
  • Since using ultrasound is a non-invasive procedure, sonographers may find the projected employment growth could potentially be even higher due to the rollout of the national health care program
  • Can choose to specialize as a cardiac sonographer, vascular sonographer or musculoskeletal sonographer through a combination of completing additional educational requirements and sitting for ARDMS specialty exams

Following are some disadvantages of becoming an Ultrasound Technician:

  • Often required to work rotating shifts or to be on call during various times throughout each month
  • Requires long periods of standing on feet and must physically assist patients, so it is a physically demanding job
  • Sonographers have higher rates of occupational musculoskeletal injuries and pain due to physical exertion than other health professions
  • Is a lower paying occupation compared to radiation therapy, nursing and several others

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Both the Diagnostic Medical Sonographer and the Radiation Therapist deliver important medical procedures. One of the main deciding factors when choosing a career path is the fact the ultrasound technologist does not work with radiation. Any potential exposure to hazardous materials would be a result of working in a medical facility. Both are excellent and rewarding careers with great employment opportunities. | See Job Openings

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