Degree: Associate in Applied Science
HEGIS Code: 5207
Curriculum Code: 0669
Campus Location: City (Fall Admittance Only)
Health Sciences Division
Pre-Admission Recommendations: Math 125 or higher, 2 years Laboratory Science, (include AP1 & Lab), Letters of recommendation at the time of interview*, GPA 3.0 minimum
Recommended High School Courses and/or Experiences: Math III, 2 years Laboratory Science, 86% Average minimum
Career Opportunities/Further Education: Hospitals, Government Agencies, Private Practice
*Interviews will be requested and arranged by the Department to qualified applicants meeting prerequisites by December 31st.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Radiologic Technology: Radiation Therapy Technology Program is to provide a comprehensive education and emphasize excellence by incorporating extensive didactic learning, professional courses and clinical experiences necessary to prepare students to: become entry-level radiation therapists; provide quality patient care; be active participants in the profession; and to pursue life-long learning.
Program Description
Radiation therapy is one of the most sophisticated tools of modern medical science. Radiotherapy, the treatment of disease with ionizing radiations, may be used alone or in combination with surgery or chemotherapy. The primary responsibility of the radiation therapy technologist is to plan and implement the treatment program prescribed by the radiation oncologist. In recent years, the use of radiation in treating cancer has increased, and with this rise has come the demand for radiation therapy services.
The Radiologic Technology: Radiation Therapy Technology curriculum is designed to provide students with the knowledge and cognitive skills necessary for the competent performance as an entry-level radiation therapy technologist.
Program graduates will have demonstrated numerous academic and clinical competencies consistent with the individual course objectives required within the program. Course objectives and competencies are developed from information provided by accreditation bodies, licensing agencies, and professional societies. The competencies listed below are an abbreviated list of clinical competencies.
This program, completed over 24 calendar months of full-time study, features a concentration of radiotherapy courses supplemented with labs. In addition to these specialized studies, students take courses in anatomy and physiology, composition, psychology and radiation biology. Program graduates will have completed more than 2,200 hours of supervised clinical experiences at affiliated hospitals and clinical sites. Upon completion of the courses and the clinical work, graduates qualify to apply to the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists examination for certification in radiation therapy technology.
Employment opportunities for radiation therapy technologists exist in hospitals, physicians’ private practices and government agencies.
Program Goals
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Goal I: The medical community will benefit from clinically competent Radiation Therapy Technology graduates entering the profession.
- Program retention rate will remain high.
- Students taking the ARRT exam will pass the first time and be employed within six months of program completion.
- Graduates will indicate overall program satisfaction and readiness for an entry-level radiation therapy position.
- Employers indicate satisfaction with graduate skill levels and seek to hire future graduates.
- Students acquire the skills and knowledge of an entry-level therapist.
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Goal II: Program graduates will have the knowledge and communication skills of a competent entry-level radiation therapist.
- Students will be competent and concise at keeping radiation therapy records.
- Students will be skillful in machine operation and patient set-ups.
- Students will interpret and implement radiation therapy treatment plans and provide appropriate patient care.
- Students will practice effective communication skills in the clinical setting.
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Goal III: Students will develop professionalism, ethical and moral practices as guided by values consistent with the professions Code of Ethics and pursue lifelong learning.
- Students demonstrate professional behavior and ethical values.
- Graduates exhibit professional work attitudes, ethics and behavior in team situations.
- Post graduates will indicate professional membership in the ARRT.
- Post graduates will pursue advanced degrees or certificates.
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Goal IV: Students will demonstrate proficiency in problem solving and critical thinking skills.
- Students practice effective communication skills in the clinical setting.
- Students practice verbal communication skills through class presentations.
- Students demonstrate critical thinking through presentation of case studies.
- Students will demonstrate problem solving skills by completing calculations and required competencies.
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Department Notes
- Students must earn a grade of “C” in all radiologic technology and science courses.
- Hospital and clinical affiliates of the program require students to have a health assessment and immunizations, including Hepatitis B.
- The Radiation Therapy Technology Student Handbook describes additional program policies.
- Students must meet the technical standards for the program. Please contact the department for details.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology 20 N Wacker Dr.,Suite 2850, Chicago,Il.60606-3182 phone:312-704-5300, fax: (312) 704- 5304, e-mail: mail@jrcert.org, www.jrcert.org and the State of New York Department of Health.
Special Admission Requirements/Prerequisites
- Applicant must be a high school graduate or equivalent and have a high school average of at least 86 percent.
- Applicant should have completed two years of high school laboratory science courses (such as biology with lab, chemistry with lab, or physics with lab) with a minimum grade of “C”; or completed a college-level anatomy and physiology course with lab within the past seven years.
- Have completed two years of mathematics with a minimum grade of “C.” (Algebra and geometry are required; trigonometry is recommended.)
- Erie Community College pretest scores of MTLV4 and E80.
- Three recommendation forms or letters at time of interview.
- Students are required to purchase health and accident insurance.
- An informational interview is required.
- Students enrolled in the program must submit a completed Allied Health Report and Physician’s Certificate. The college reserves the right to deny acceptance into the Radiologic Technology: Radiation Therapy Technology Program to students who have incomplete or unacceptable physical reports.
*NOTE: Appropriate college math (MT 125 required) and two (2) laboratory science courses with a grade of “C” or better and an overall QPA of at least 3.0 can be substituted for the high school requirements above.
Program Competencies
Upon graduation with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Radiologic Technology: Radiation Therapy Technology, the graduate will be able to:
- deliver a planned course of radiation therapy;
- verify the mathematical accuracy of the prescription for radiotherapy;
- maintain daily records and document technical details of the radiotherapy treatment administered;
- observe the clinical progress of the patient undergoing radiation therapy, observe the first signs of any complications and determine when treatment should be withheld until a physician may be consulted;
- provide patient care and comfort essential to radiation therapy procedures;
- within the scope of practice for a radiation therapy technologist, detect equipment malfunctions, report same to the proper authority and know the safe limits of equipment operation;
- understand the functions, limitations and utilization of radiotherapy equipment;
- apply the rules and regulations for radiation safety, detect radiation hazards and other hazards to patient welfare within the scope of practice for the radiation therapy technologist;
- simulate and plan a prescribed course of radiotherapy treatment;
- construct immobilization and beam-directional devices for external beam radiotherapy;
- assist in the preparation of brachytherapy sources, calibration of radiotherapy equipment and the maintenance of quality assurance procedures and records;
- assist in exam room procedures, patient follow-up, patient educational procedures for the radiotherapy patient;
- provide certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation;
- communicate clearly and effectively in written, verbal and nonverbal form; and
- demonstrate an awareness of the ethical and legal responsibilities of radiation therapy technologists.
Program Effectiveness
In addition to the mission statement, goals and program competencies (objectives) already listed on this page, the following data is provided to reflect the Radiation Therapy Technology Program’s effectiveness.
Program completion rate: This is defined as the number of students who complete the program, didactic and clinical within 150% of the stated program length. It is an annual measure of the number of students beginning the program and the actual number that complete the program. Information for years 2009 to 2013 is listed. The completion rate for 2013 was 83%. Fifteen students of the eighteen enrolled graduated and three students will be returning in 2014 to complete the program. The five year, 2009 to 2013 average completion rate was 79%.
Program credentialing rate: This rate reflects the number of students that pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), Radiation Therapy certification examination on their first attempt. The information for the years 2008 to 2013. The five-year credentialing rate for 67 first-time examinees was 76%.
Program job placement rate: This rate reflects the number of students who obtain employment in radiation therapy within twelve (12) months of graduation versus the number of graduates actively seeking employment. For the most recent five-year period, 76% (or 31 of the 41 graduates) of those actively seeking employment were hired.
Curriculum
Total Degree Credits: 85.0
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