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 courses Laboratory Science, (include AP 1 & Lab), GPA 3.0 minimum
Recommended High School Courses and/or Experiences: Math III, 2 years Laboratory Science, 88% 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 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 Goals
Goals of the Radiation Therapy Technology Program
Goal 1: Students will be clinically competent.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will simulate, plan and deliver a prescribed course of radiation.
Goal 2: Students will have effective verbal and written communication skills.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will practice effective communication skills in the clinical setting
Students will practice verbal communication skills in through class presentations
Students will demonstrate written communication skills through class paper
Goal 3: Students will develop professionalism, ethical behaviors and pursue life-long learning
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will demonstrate professional and ethical values
Goal 4: Students will demonstrate problem solving and critical thinking skills.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will demonstrate critical thinking through research and presentation of case studies
Students will demonstrate problem solving skills utilizing VERT
Students will demonstrate problem solving skills after completing calculations
Program Description
Radiation therapy is one of the most sophisticated tools of modern medical science. Unlike the field of Radiology where patients undergo various imaging studies such as X-ray, CT, MRI etc. to obtain a diagnosis, radiation therapy is the treatment of cancer and diseases utilizing ionizing radiations. Radiation therapy may be used alone or in combination with surgery, chemotherapy or immunotherapy, etc. The radiation therapist is responsible for localizing the tumor, implementing the treatment plan as prescribed by the radiation oncologist and observing and evaluating the clinical progress of the patient. In recent years, the use of radiation in treating cancer has increased, and with this rise has come the demand for radiation therapy services.Radiation therapy applicants are encouraged to examine the various radiologic and imaging sciences described on the American Society of Radiologic Technologists Website .
The 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 six continuous semesters (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 a sufficient number of supervised clinical hours at affiliated hospitals and clinical sites, some of which are located in the Rochester and Jamestown areas. 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.
Department Notes
- Fall program start.
- 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 email: mail@jrcert.org, www.jrcert.org and the New York Department of Health.
Special Admission Requirements/Prerequisites
High School & College Applicants: It is strongly recommended interested students meet with the program director or program counselor, as admission into the program is based on academic qualifications and interview process. SUNY Erie college application must be completed through the Admissions Department.
(**Application to the program is ONLY available online mid September-December 31st for consideration for the following Fall program start);
College Applicants :
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MTH 125 required and two (2) laboratory science courses;
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Anatomy and Physiology I or transfer equivalent must be one of the two required pre-req sciences courses with a grade of “C” or better. (It is recommended the completion of Anatomy and Physiology be done during a full academic semester)
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Minimum GPA of 3.0 at all undergraduate colleges attended within the last 5 years.
High School Applicants:
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Applicant must be a high school graduate or equivalent and have a high school average of at least 88 percent;
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Applicant should have completed two years of high school laboratory science courses (such as 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 five years of anticipated program start date;
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Completed two years of mathematics with a minimum grade of “C.” (Algebra and geometry are required; trigonometry is recommended.);
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Erie Community College pretest scores of MTLV4 and E80;
Meeting program admission requirements does NOT guarantee acceptance into the Radiation Therapy Program. Qualified candidates (meeting the above pre-reqs) are invited for an interview to help determine final selection for admission.
Admission is based on the academic qualifications of the student (transcript rubric, entrance essay rubric, three character reference forms (sent to qualified candidates in interview packet) as well as soft skills of the candidate (as determined through interview rubric). Admission is also based on space availability.
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Students are required to purchase health and accident insurance;
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All Students accepted into the program must submit a completed Allied Health Report and Physician’s Certificate. The college reserves the right to deny acceptance into the Radiation Therapy Technology Program to students who have incomplete or unacceptable physical reports;
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Students should initiate the processing of all transfer credits for any courses indicated in the Radiation Therapy Curriculum Outline while in General Studies and/or before acceptance into the Radiation Therapy Program. Students should meet with a General Studies adviser for advisement and processing of transfer credits. Acceptance into General Studies does not guarantee future entrance into the Radiation Therapy Program; and
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The Radiation Therapy Program is committed to accepting the most qualified candidates regardless of gender, religion, age, race and other demographic factors. The departments acceptance committee shall be charged with screening applicants, reviewing and evaluating application files, interviewing the applicants, rating and ranking each candidate to establish a new class.
Admission and Retention Requirements: Safety and Technical Skills
Candidates seeking enrollment into the Radiation Therapy Program must meet the safety and technical skills in the following areas: observation-communication, motor and behavioral-social attributes.
Observation-Communication
The student must possess the ability to communicate effectively and read, write and use the English language. In addition, the student must have the functional use of the senses of vision, touch, hearing, and smell which are essential in assisting patients, gathering data, and maintaining their safety. Examples of observation-communication include but are not limited to:
- appraise and report, within the Scope of Practice for Radiation Therapists, the clinical progress of the patient undergoing radiation therapy;
- accurately interpret data from medical records and treatment plan; and
- demonstrate professional attitudes in the work environment (e.g. cooperation, teamwork, attendance and punctuality).
Sensory/Motor
The student is required to perform gross and fine motor movements, maintain consciousness and equilibrium, and possess the physical strength and stamina which are necessary to provide safe delivery of radiation treatments. Examples of sensory/motor skills include but are not limited to:
- transferring patients;
- responding rapidly to emergency situations (cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, falls);
- protect and remove patients from an area in the event of a fire or disaster;
- utilize a keyboard to input data;
- distinguish equipment and background sounds and hear a variety of pitches;
- see in dim light;
- visually monitor patients via video monitors;
- monitor patients via audio monitors;
- read and apply appropriate instructions in patient charts, notes, and records;
- lift 30 pounds of weight from the floor to shoulder height;
- push a patient in a standard wheelchair;
- have good strength in both upper extremities; and
- use good body mechanics to bend, stretch, reach, stoop, kneel, and twist in performance of job duties.
Behavioral-Social attributes
The student must possess emotional stability and flexibility, which will enable him/her to develop the ability to function effectively in stressful situations. This includes the ability to adapt to changing environments, exercise sound judgement, complete assessment and intervention activities and develop sensitive interpersonal relationship with patients, families and other responsible for health care. Examples of these behavioral and social attributes include but are not limited to:
- ability to think and act rationally during a crisis;
- demonstrate appropriate behavior towards staff, peers and patients according to societal norms; and
- apply principles of confidentiality of medical records and HIPPA regulations.
Program Competencies
Upon graduation with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Radiation Therapy Technology, the graduate will be able to:
- Demonstrate professional, proficient communication and ethical interaction with patients and health-care providers;
- Demonstrate the ability to effectively manage patient and medical information;
- Demonstrate an understanding and appropriate safe use of radiation physics, equipment and quality assurance as it pertains to radiation therapy;
- Demonstrate comprehension of biological and tissue tolerances in reference to proper radiation protection;
- Demonstrate an understanding of didactic concepts related to treatment sites and tumors including but not restricted to radiation therapy treatment;
- Localize treatment of volumes utilizing appropriate equipment and procedures;
- Accurately calculate treatment doses and prescriptions;
- Demonstrate knowledge of effective radiation treatment options and application of treatment plan.
Certifications/Licensure
- An Associate in Applied Science degree is granted to each student who successfully completes all coursework, required clinical hours and ARRT competencies with grades of “C” or better defined by the program.
- New York State licensure is required for employment in New York State. Upon graduation from the program, an individual is eligible to apply for licensure. Passing the national ARRT certification exam is recognized in numerous states but some states require separate applications for additional/required state licensure which must be filed within that state.
- New York State DOH requires passing of the national American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Certification Exam (ARRT) for employment in New York State.
ARRT Website
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. The completion rate for 2018 was 64%. Seven of eleven of the students enrolled graduated. The five year, 2014 to 2018 average completion rate was 69%.
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 2014 to 2018. The five-year credentialing rate for 40/51 first-time examinees was 78%.
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 2013-2017, 84.5% 28/33 graduates actively seeking employment were hired.
Job placement rate is defined as the number of graduates employed in the radiologic sciences compared to the number of graduates actively seeking employment in radiation therapy. The JRCERT has defined not actively seeking employment as: 1) graduate fails to communicate with program officials regarding employment status after multiple attempts, 2) graduate is unwilling to seek employment that requires relocation, 3) graduate is unwilling to accept employment due to salary or hours, 4) graduate is on active military duty, and/or 5) graduate is continuing education.
Curriculum
Total Degree Credits: 77.0
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