with electron capabilities. They position patients under the equipment with absolute accuracy in order to expose affected body parts to treatment while protecting the rest of the body from radiation.

They also check the patient's reactions for radiation side effects such as nausea, hair loss, and skin irritation. They give instructions and explanations to patients who are likely to be very ill. Radiation therapists, in contrast to other radiologic technologists, are likely to see the same patient a number of times during the course of treatment.

What do I have to do to get this job?

Educational qualification: Diploma in Radiology

Work environment: Most full-time radiologist technologists work about 40 hours a week; they may have evening, weekend, or on-call hours.

Technologists are on their feet for long periods and may lift or turn disabled patients. They work at radiologic machines but may also do some procedures at patients' bedsides. Some radiologic technologists travel to patients in large vans equipped with sophisticated diagnostic equipment.

Radiation therapists are prone to emotional "burn out" because they treat extremely ill and dying patients on a daily basis. Although potential radiation hazards exist in this occupation, they have been minimized by the use of lead aprons, gloves, and other shielding devices, as well as by instruments that monitor radiation exposure. Technologists wear badges that measure radiation levels in the radiation area, and detailed records are kept on their cumulative lifetime dose.

How much will I be paid when I start?

2000/-to 3000/-

What is the future with this job?

What is the future with this job? Jobseekers are likely to face competition from many other qualified applicants for most job openings through the year 2006. In an attempt to employ fewer technologists and lower labor costs, hospitals have begun to merge radiologic with nuclear medicine technology departments. Consequently, technologists who can perform both radiologic and nuclear medicine procedures will have the best job opportunities. The streamlining of these departments has led to slower job growth in hospitals at the same time that the number of qualified applicants entering the field has increased. The imbalance between job openings and jobseekers has caused competition for jobs to become intense. Though it is unclear how severe the imbalance will remain, it is expected to persist at some level through the year 2006.

Sonographers should experience somewhat better job opportunities than other radiologic technologist occupations. Ultrasound is becoming an increasingly attractive alternative to radio logic procedures. Ultrasound technology is expected to continue to evolve rapidly and spawn many new ultrasound procedures. Furthermore, because radiation is absent from ultrasound procedures, there are no known side effects to patients.

Employment of radiologic technologists is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2006, as the population grows and ages, increasing the demand for diagnostic imaging and therapeutic technology. For example, radiation therapy will continue to be used—alone or in combination with surgery or chemotherapy—to treat cancer. Although physicians are enthusiastic about the clinical benefits of new technologies, the extent to which they are adopted depends largely on cost and reimbursement considerations. Some promising new technologies may not come into widespread use because they are too expensive and third- party payers may not be willing to pay for their use.

Hospitals will remain the principal employer of radiologic technologists. However, employment is expected to grow most rapidly in offices and clinics of physicians, including diagnostic imaging centers. Health facilities such as these are expected to grow very rapidly through 2006 due to the strong shift toward outpatient care, encouraged by third-party payers and made possible by technological advances that permit more procedures to be performed outside the hospital. Some jobs will also come from the need to replace technologists who leave the occupation

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