ÐÞ³µÂÛ̳

Wondering what a career in Raditation Therapy looks like? Lauren Cooper, graduate of ÐÞ³µÂÛ̳e's Radiation Therapy associate's degree program tells us what it's like to work in this challenging and fulfilling field.

Where are you working right now?

I am the Chief Radiation Therapist at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth, MA. My dream job is to stay right where I am and possibly move up to a department management position one day.

Describe a typical day at the Chief Radiation Therapist at Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth, MA.

We are a fairly busy site that offers a wide range of treatments. I manage two other therapists as well as five per diem therapists. My day varies from treating on the machine to doing simulations to helping out with administrative tasks. I love working with the patients and making a difference in their lives. As radiation therapists, our goal at our center is to make a dreadful situation as pleasant as possible for our cancer patients. We often throw parties for our patients and their caregivers. I enjoy listening to their stories, learning about their lives and meeting their families. Radiation therapy is special because we have the ability to create a bond with our patients unlike other fast paced modalities.

Why did you choose to purse the Radiation Therapy program at ÐÞ³µÂÛ̳é College?

From ages 16-20 I worked as a specimen processor in the Pathology Lab at South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, MA and then as an aide in the MRI department for 7 years after that. I attended St Anselm College as a Biology/premed major with the intent of going to medical school. Over time, I changed my career goals to something that I could achieve closer to home and in a shorter period of time. ÐÞ³µÂÛ̳é allowed me to continue to achieve my goal to be in healthcare while staying closer to home.

I chose radiation therapy because I would be able to care for patients and have a rewarding career in just 3 years. I was originally planning on returning to my goal of going to medical school but I enjoy every minute of what I do now and couldn’t imagine doing anything different.

How did ÐÞ³µÂÛ̳é prepare you to become a radiation therapist?

The clinical experience that ÐÞ³µÂÛ̳é offers is invaluable. It allowed me to gain hands on skill that was necessary to become what I am today. The varieties of clinical sites offered gave me the opportunity to take what I learned from each place and create my own set of valuable skills.

Ready to learn more about Radiation Therapy? Contact Admissions to sign up for the next Information Session- admissions@laboure.edu or (617) 202-3490.