Radiation Therapy Technology, A.A.S.

Degree: Associate in Applied Science
HEGIS Code: 5207
Curriculum Code: 669.RAD
Health Sciences Division

Pre-Admission Recommendations: 

College Applicants:

• minimum GPA of 3.0 at all undergraduate colleges attended within the last five years
• appropriate college math: MT 125 Algebra level required or higher: pre Calculus or Calculus (excludes statistics)
• two (2) laboratory science courses within the last five years of anticipated program Fall start each with a minimum grade of C
  • Anatomy and Physiology I with lab or transfer equivalent MUST be one of the two required pre-req sciences courses (completion of Anatomy and Physiology is recommended to be done during a full academic semester)
  • second science courses with a lab (Anatomy and Physiology II, Chemistry or Physics)

High School Applicants:

• applicant must be a high school graduate or equivalent and have a high school average of at least 88 percent
• college level Math documented on transcript: Algebra level required (MT 125) or higher: pre Calculus or Calculus (excludes statistics) at time of graduation from high school with Min C grade.
• 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 anatomy and physiology course with lab within the past five years of anticipated program start date

Qualified applicants (meeting prerequisites by December 31st) may be invited to interview with the program in Spring for final selection.

Career Opportunities/Further Education: Employment opportunities for radiation therapy technologists exist in hospitals, physicians’ private practices, specialized veterinary radiation oncology practices and government agencies. With additional training and/or advanced degrees, a therapist has career opportunities in a variety of areas such as medical physics, dosimetry, and management. Opportunities also exist in the field of support, training and sales for major vendors of radiation therapy equipment.

Program Description Mission Statement Program Goals Department Notes Special Admission Requirements/Prerequisites Admission and Retention Requirements: Safety and Technical Skills Program Competencies Program Effectiveness

Program Description

The Radiation Therapy Program offered at SUNY Erie is designed to provide students with the knowledge and cognitive skills necessary for competent performance as an entry-level radiation therapist.

Radiation Therapists and Radiologic Technologists, as their job titles imply, both work with radiation equipment. They use X-rays in different ways, however, radiologic technologists perform imaging studies that are used for diagnosis, while radiation therapists treat patients who have cancer.  Radiation Therapy Career

Radiation Therapy applicants are encouraged to examine the various Radiologic and imaging sciences described on American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT).

The Radiation Therapist is directly responsible for the actual daily treatment of patients with the use of sophisticated radiation-producing equipment. The Radiation Therapist is responsible for delivering ionizing radiation (X-rays, gamma rays, electrons and protons) according to the treatment plan as prescribed by the radiation oncologist.

SUNY Erie’s Radiation Therapy program is one of a few Radiation Therapy programs that offer Virtual Environment Radiotherapy Training (VERT) for students. Students learn to set up virtual patients, utilizing real machine controls that operate life size Virtual treatment machine(s). Students can see the radiation beams and treatment prescription dose applied to patient anatomy within the 3D images..  

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.

Career Opportunities/Further Education: Employment opportunities for radiation therapy technologists exist in hospitals, physicians’ private practices, specialized veterinary radiation oncology practices and government agencies. With additional training and/or advanced degrees, a therapist has career opportunities in a variety of areas such as medical physics, dosimetry, and management. Opportunities also exist in the field of support, training and sales for major vendors of radiation therapy equipment.  BLS Bureau of Labor and Statistics

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 demonstrate clinical competency.

Student Learning Outcomes:       

              Students will demonstrate competency in treatment procedures.

              Students will demonstrate competency in simulation procedures.

         

Goal 2:  Students will demonstrate effective communication skills.

Student Learning Outcomes:

              Students will demonstrate effective communication skills in the clinical setting.

              Students will practice good communication skills through class presentations.

 

Goal 3:  Students will demonstrate professionalism, ethical behaviors and pursue life-long learning.

Student Learning Outcomes:         

              Students will demonstrate professional behaviors.

              Students will demonstrate ethical behaviors.

              Student will participate in continuing education.

 

Goal 4: Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills.

Student Learning Outcomes:         

              Students will demonstrate accurate interpretation of prescription, set up and administration of treatment . 

              Students will demonstrate clinical application and critical thinking skills utilizing VERT.

Department Notes

• FALL program start

• shadowing in Radiation Therapy is highly recommended

• fulltime Day seated program

• six continuous semesters (24 calendar months)

• completion of sufficient number of supervised clinical hours at affiliated hospitals and clinical sites*

• students must earn a grade of C in all prereqs, co-reqs and Radiation Therapy Technology didactic and clinical courses

• hospital and clinical affiliates require students to have a health assessment and immunizations, including Hepatitis B

• Radiation Therapy course activities/special lectures/clinical may be scheduled during the day, evening, weekend, and/or summer

• Radiation Therapy Technology Student Handbook details additional program policies

• students are responsible to meet all requirements and/or costs associated with travel to and from clinical rotations, uniforms, agency fees for review sessions, NYS application and ARRT registry application

• graduates qualify to apply to the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists ARRT examination for certification in radiation therapy technology upon program completion

• eligibility for licensure as a registered Radiation Therapist by persons who have been convicted of a crime (felony or misdemeanor) or have charges pending in any state or country will be determined through an investigation by the ARRT American Registry of Radiologic Technologist Ethics Committee for ARRT Board eligibility

• students are expected to adhere to high academic standards of performance, ethics and professional behavior throughout program duration; students are required to abide by all program policies as published in the “Radiation Therapy Technology Student Handbook” 

Clinical Site Affiliations

Students complete supervised clinical training hours specific in each syllabus at the affiliated sites listed below which offer a wide range of clinical experience. The availability of these sites are subject to change during the two years. During, the Students are responsible for transportation to and from all clinical assignments: 

Cancer Care of WNY
3085 Harlem Road
Cheektowaga, NY 14225

 

Cancer Care of WNY                          
117 Foote Avenue                                                                    
Jamestown, NY 14701     

                                                     

Cancer Care of WNY  
3850 Saunders Settlement Road
Suite 100
Cambria, NY 14132

 

Rochester General Hospital                      
1425 Portland Avenue                                                             
Rochester, NY 14621     

 

Linden Oaks
20 Hagen Drive                                                                     
Suite 100                                                                              
Rochester, NY 14625

 

Lipson Cancer Center @ Unity
1561 Long Pond Rd
Suite 120 POB
Greece, NY 14626

 

Lipson Cancer Institute-United Memorial 
127 North Street 
Batavia, NY 14020

 

Associated Medical Professional (AMP) 
1226 East Water Street
Syracuse, NY 13210

 

Mildred Millman Radiation Medicine  
1415 Buffalo Street
Olean NY 14760    

                                                     

UPMC Erie
2500 West 12th street
Erie, PA 16505

Special Admission Requirements/Prerequisites

High School and 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 available online September until February 15th.  ALL required pre reqs must be completed prior to this date for consideration for the following FALL program start.

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.

• students are required to purchase health and accident insurance;

• all students accepted into the program must submit a completed Health Science Division 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;

• 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

• 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);

• protecting and removing patients from an area in the event of a fire or disaster;

• utilizing a keyboard to input data;

• distinguishing equipment and background sounds and hear a variety of pitches;

• seeing in dim light;

• visually monitoring patients via video monitors;

• monitoring patients via audio monitors;

• reading and applying appropriate instructions in patient charts, notes, and records;

• lifting 30 pounds of weight from the floor to shoulder height;

• pushing a patient in a standard wheelchair;

• having good strength in both upper extremities; and

• using 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 judgment, 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.

 

Computer/Technology/Information Literacy

• ability to use basic computer skills including Word, PowerPoint and Excel

• ability to communicate through electronic forums such as WebEx or Zoom and college online learning format (Brightspace)

• ability to navigate efficiently and utilize electronic resources such as electronic library database and catalogs etc. in accordance with legal guidelines as published by college and department handbook

 

Unsafe Practice

Unsatisfactory clinical practice is defined as a failure to perform up to the minimum standards established for the specific clinical experience. Unsafe or unethical clinical practice is defined as behavior observed by or reported to faculty that is actually or potentially detrimental to the patient, the patient’s family, and/or to the health care facility and staff. Every student in the program is expected to act in a safe and ethical manner consistent with the ARRT Code of Ethics for all Radiologic Technology Medical Fields

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; and
• demonstrate knowledge of effective radiation treatment options and application of treatment plan.

Certifications/Licensure

• An Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S) 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.

• SUNY Erie Community College is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) www.msche.org.  MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Licensure Compliance Statement

SUNY Erie Community College Radiation Therapy Technology curriculum and its program of study meets the educational requirements by the Board of Regents in New York State to award an Associate in Applied Science Degree (AAS) with a major in Radiation Therapy Technology. Graduates are eligible to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) credentialing exam for Licensure as a registered therapist and apply for Radiation Therapy licensure in New York. Other states may have different educational requirements for program completion and licensure requirements. SUNY Erie Radiation Therapy Program has not made a determination of whether the curriculum meets the educational requirements for licensure in states other than in New York. If seeking licensure in a state other than New York, please review the requirement of that American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. To search a particular State’s licensure information please visit: ASRT Individual State Licensure Information.

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.

Outcome Measure	Year	Results
Credentialing Examination: The number of students who pass, on the first attempt, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination, or an unrestricted state licensing examination, compared with the number of graduates who take the examination within six months of graduating.
	2018	6/7
	2019	7/7
	2020	4/4
	2021	7/7
	2022	2/2
	Current 5-Year Average JRCERT Benchmark 75%	Total of above: 26/27 (_96_%)
Job Placement:  The number of graduates employed in the radiologic sciences compared to the number of graduates actively seeking employment in the radiologic sciences, within twelve months of graduating.
	2018	5/5
	2019	7/7
	2020	4/4
	2021	6/6
	2022	2/2
	Current 5-Year Average JRCERT Benchmark 75%	Total of above: 24/24 (_100_%)
Program Completion:  The number of students who complete the program within the stated program length.	2022	2/2
	Most Recent Program Completion Rate Program Benchmark 75_%	Total of above: 2/2(_100%)

*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