Radiation Therapy

  What is Radiation Therapy?

Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy X-rays, electron beams and other forms of radiation in the treatment of patients with cancer. Radiation therapy is the careful and controlled application of radiation to cancerous cells while minimizing the radiation exposure to surrounding normal tissue.

Radiation therapists carry out various phases of actual patient treatment, using sophisticated therapeutic equipment such as high-energy linear accelerators. The therapist is an integral part of the team, whose responsibilities include preparing and maintaining the equipment.

Radiation therapists observe the clinical progress of the patient undergoing radiotherapy, watch for any signs of complications, and keep detailed records of the specifics of the treatment administered and the patient's reactions to that treatment. They routinely deal with patients who are experiencing pain, anxiety and fear, and they must be able to provide the necessary psychological support. The work is important, exacting, and carries tremendous responsibility.

If a student has a question concerning any specific program policy, he/she should contact the program director.

  Success Factors

Students who succeed in the radiation therapy program are strong critical thinkers. They pay close attention to detail and have the ability to follow a physician's prescription. Students who are successful in the program are also people-oriented and demonstrate the ability to communicate with patients and co-workers. The program and the profession are physically and mentally demanding.

  Career Possibilities

While most radiation therapists work in hospitals, they are also employed in clinics, research laboratories, doctors' offices and industrial laboratories, as well as in veterinary medicine, commercial sales and government agencies.

According to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), there is currently a demand for registered radiation therapists. Spurred by such factors as longer life spans and the widening application of new radiologic technologies to an expanding range of conditions, this demand is expected to continue.

The ASRT is the professional organization for careers in the radiologic sciences. More information concerning ASRT can be obtained at www.asrt.org. More information on career demand can be found at U.S. Department of Labor www.bls.gov/oco/print/ocos299.htm.

  Majoring in Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy at UC Raymond Walters College (RWC) is a 24-month associate of applied science degree program combining academic study and clinical experience. Graduates of the program are awarded an associate of allied science degree and are eligible to apply to take the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) examination. The registry is a requirement for employment at most institutions. Applicants for the ARRT examination are required to comply with state and federal laws. A charge or conviction of certain crimes must be investigated by ARRT in order to determine eligibility. A pre-application may be made to ARRT in order to obtain a ruling regarding eligibility for the examination. For more information concerning the ARRT, visit www.asrt.org.

Mission Statement:  The ultimate goal of the program is the education and preparation of students for a career as a competent entry level registered radiation therapist.

Specific goals of the program:

• Students will be clinically competent.
• Students will communicate effectively.
• Students will use critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Students will exhibit an understanding of professional values.
• The program will graduate entry-level radiation therapists.

Clinical and classroom experiences during the sophomore year require approximately 37 hours of participation each week. The curriculum for the sophomore year is only available during the day, Monday through Friday.

  Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this program. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently confirmed or enrolled, you can check your degree requirements online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the Course Applicability System (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.

The program requires that each student meet with an advisor each quarter.

FRESHMAN YEAR

Fall

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
English Composition I	28ENGL101	3
Intro to Physics I	28PHYS104	4
Anatomy & Physiology I	28BIOL201	4
College Albegra I	28MATH173	3
Radiation Therapy Technology I	28RDTH141	2
Total		16

Winter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
English Composition II	28ENGL102	3
Intro to Physics II	28PHYS105	4
Anatomy & Physiology II	28BIOL202	4
College Albegra II	28MATH174	3
First Emergency Responder	28EMS101	3
Total		17

Spring

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Intro to Physics III	28PHYS106	4
Anatomy & Physiology III	28BIOL203	4
Elective in Humanities, Behavioral or Social Science		3
Radiation Therapy Technology II	28RDTH142	2
Microcomputer Office Applications	28OATN179	3
Total		16

 Summer

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Clinical Practicum I	28RDTH221	2
Human Sectional Anatomy	28BIOL270	4
Radiation Therapy Physics I	28RDTH205	4
Patient Care	28RDTH278	1
Total		11

SOPHOMORE YEAR

Fall

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Clinical Oncology I	28RDTH201	5
Radiation Therapy Physics II	28RDTH206	4
Simulation Lab I	28RDTH211	1
Clinical Practicum II	28RDTH222	3
Radiation Biology	28RDTH243	2
Total		15

 Winter

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Clinical Oncology II	28RDTH202	5
Radiation Physics & Treatment Planning I	28RDTH281	4
Simulation Lab II	28RDTH212	1
Clinical Practicum III	28RDTH223	3
Total		13

Spring

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Clinical Oncology III	28RDTH203	5
Radiation Physics & Treatment Planning II	28RDTH282	4
Simulation Lab III	28RDTH213	1
Clinical Practicum IV	28RDTH224	3
Radiation Protection	28RDTH272	2
Total		15

 Summer

Course Name	Course Number	Credits
Clinical Practicum V	28RDTH225	3
Radiation Therapy Review	28RDTH291 401	1
Intermediate Composition		3
Total		7

 

  UC Advantages and Special Opportunities

Students entering a health-care related program should be aware that there is a potential to be exposed to a communicable disease. Students enrolling in this program will be exposed to radiation, chemicals and metals. Although students enrolled in this program have the option of disclosing/declaring a pregnancy, each student is encouraged to notify the program director regarding a pregnancy as soon as possible so that proper radiation protection requirements can be applied and adequate information can be supplied to enable the student to make fully informed decisions. A complete pregnancy policy for the program is available upon request from the program director.

Licensure is also required in many states. Graduates of the program are eligible to apply to individual states for a state license.

All faculty of the radiation therapy program are certified in radiation therapy technology or have equivalent board certification. Students in the program benefit from small class sizes, particularly in the sophomore year, when all classes are held at the Barrett Cancer Center at University Hospital. Students are exposed to state-of-the-art teaching materials and equipment. During the sophomore year, all students rotate to at least four different clinical sites in the Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Dayton areas. Students must be able to travel to clinic sites for these educational experiences.

RWC offers a baccalaureate completion program for those students interested in obtaining a bachelor's degree upon completion of the radiation Therapy technology program.

  Admission Requirements

Admission to the College
You may enroll in UC Raymond Walters College if you graduated from an accredited high school or preparatory school, or have a GED certificate (minimum composite score of 45). The college's rolling admissions policy allows you to start any quarter: fall, winter, spring or summer.

High school students who are considering RWC should take either the SAT or ACT college entrance examination for use in guidance and counseling. All students entering a degree program must also take the college's placement test prior to registering for classes. This test is given on the RWC campus.

The RWC Admissions Office provides an application for admission and all information you'll need to enroll in the college.

Admission to the Program
This program is open to all students with a high school diploma or GED and the desire to succeed in college. Although admission is open, students accepted into the program must meet the academic standards of the program to advance to upper levels of study.

Potential applicants should be aware that a career in radiation therapy is physically demanding. Students enrolling in the program must be able to complete the following in order to successfully complete the program:

• Stand or walk approximately 80 percent of the time spent in the clinic.
• Lift 14-50 pound lead blocks overhead.
• Distinguish colors and detail in low-level lighting.
• See, hear and respond quickly to patients in an emergency situations.
• Push and maneuver patients in wheelchairs or stretchers.
• Communicate with patients and other health care professionals in written and oral forms.
• Lift and assist in lifting patients, using proper body mechanics.
• Understand prescription and other records necessary for proper patient treatment.
• Be aware that there is potential for radiation therapists to be exposed to communicable diseases.
• Be aware that radiation therapists are exposed to radiation, chemical, metals and lasers.

Students concerned about fulfilling any of these requirements should contact the program director of the Raymond Walters College Disability Services Office for reasonable assistance/accommodation.

Students are encouraged to observe a registered radiation therapist in a clinical setting as soon as possible after enrolling in the program, and are required to have observed a radiation therapist for a minimum of two hours prior to beginning the clinical courses. Students are required to complete a self-evaluation after observation. In addition, the following prerequisites apply:

• High school algebra I and II, geometry, biology and chemistry with grade of "C" or better; physics is also recommended.
• ACT composite score of 19 or combined scores of 875 on the SAT.
• Prospective students who do not meet these academic requirements will be given the opportunity to make up their deficiencies within the radiation therapy program.
• Following observation in a radiation therapy department, students must complete a self-assessment form concerning the technical standards of the program.
• Prior to the freshman year, students must complete a UC health screening form.

Admission to the Sophomore (Clinical) Year

• An overall freshman grade point average (GPA) of 2.7.
• At least a grade of "C" in Introduction to Physics, College Albegra I and II Anatomy and Physiology, Basic Elements of Radiation Therapy Technology I and II, and First Emergency Responder.
• All eligible freshmen are ranked according to date of enrollment. There is a waiting list for the sophomore year. A maximum of 18 students are accepted into the sophomore year of the program. Due to the waiting list, students may need to wait for an extended period of time before being allowed to register for clinical courses.

  Transferring to UC Requirements

Transferring to Raymond Walters College

A student wishing to transfer to RWC from another accredited college or university should be guided by the following statement of policy:

1. Transfer applications are individually reviewed, and acceptance is based on receipt of application materials, as well as official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended. An official evaluation of transfer credit from other colleges will be processed after the student's file is complete.
2. Credits are accepted from any institution currently accredited by any of the six regional accrediting agencies. Enrollment Services shall have discretionary authority to accept credits from other institutions in consultation with program directors or department chairpersons.
3. Only grades of 'C" or better are accepted. Special exceptions may be granted at the discretion of Enrollment Services in consultation with program directors or department chairpersons.
4. There is a 10-year expiration limit for acceptance of transfer credits. Exceptions can be made by Enrollment Services in consultation with the appropriate program directors or department chairpersons.
5. For all situations not covered by the above, the decision will be referred to the department involved when appropriate.

  Changing Majors within UC Requirements

Students changing majors from other programs or colleges within UC will be considered based on the same criteria as outside transfers.

  International Student Requirements

Students who did not graduate from a high school in the United States of America must take an ability-to-benefit test and achieve the minimum specified score to be eligible for admission to a degree or certificate program at UC Raymond Walters College. The scores will be used for placement in English courses and general advising for all courses.

  Graduation Requirements

Prerequisites for graduation

• A "C" or better in each professional course in the sophomore year.
• Courses in the sophomore year may be repeated only once.
• Completion of all college requirements for graduation.

  Accreditation

The University of Cincinnati is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

The program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. You may learn more about the JRCERT at www.jrcert.org.