Purpose
What is Radiation Therapy?
Radiation therapy is a radiologic imaging sciences specialty that is one of the disciplines in a radiation oncology center. Radiation therapists practice in a cooperative effort between medical and radiation oncology physicians, medical physicists, dosimetrists, oncology nurses and dietitians. Radiation therapists are responsible for accurately recording, interpreting, and administering the treatment prescribed by radiation oncologists. Radiation therapists help physicians use fluoroscopy, x-ray, and/or computed tomography to localize and outline anatomical areas for treatment. These responsibilities require highly specialized clinical skills as well as complex critical thinking in order to effectively contribute to the team approach of patient treatment.
Mission & Vision
The program’s mission is to provide competent, entry level Radiation Therapists who shape their profession, society, and lives of the communities of which they serve.
The program provides students opportunities to develop technical knowledge and personal skills necessary for a career in the radiation sciences. The curriculum is designed to combine compassion with integrity in order to shape a student into a professional. The program provides a unique learning environment which includes state of the art equipment. By recruiting the help of highly qualified Radiation Oncology faculty, students acquire skills necessary to become successful Radiation Therapists.
Programmatic Goals
Upon completion of the program students will be able to:
- demonstrate clinical competence.
- develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.
- communicate effectively to patients and healthcare professionals.
- demonstrate professional behavior in clinical areas and the profession.
Student Learning Outcomes
While in the program, students will be evaluated by the following learning outcomes;
- Students will appropriately simulate treatment delivery.
- Students will demonstrate correct positioning of patients for treatment.
- Students will illustrate correct simulation of a variety of patients.
- Students will compare current treatment images to treatment plan and determine accuracy of positioning.
- Students will propose treatment plans for the treatment of breast cancer.
- Students will describe procedures to patients.
- Students will communicate effectively with healthcare staff.
- Students will demonstrate effective formal presentation skills.
- Students will demonstrate professional behavior.
- Students will integrate networking into program and profession.
Accreditation
The Radiation Therapy program is accredited for a term of 8 years by the The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). The program adheres to the JRCERT standards. Upon accreditation, students have the right to notify the JRCERT if they believe the university is not adhering to these standards.
The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
Phone: (312) 704-5300
Fax: (312) 704-5304
Web: www.jrcert.org
E-mail: [email protected]
