Radiation Therapy, P.A.C.

POST - ASSOCIATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
DIVISION: ALLIED HEALTH

The Radiation Therapy Program provides academic and clinical education in the art and science of radiation therapy. The program includes instruction in general radiation therapy, surface and sectional anatomy, radiation therapy physics, oncologic pathology, radiation biology, radiation safety and protection, simulation techniques, dosimetry and treatment planning, patient care and quality management. The curriculum content, including academic and clinical education, will prepare students for employment as Radiation Therapists.

The Radiation Therapy Post-Associate Certificate program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL60606-3182, phone: 312-704-5300, fax: 312-704-5304, e-mail: mail@jrcert.org.

Program Mission: The mission of the Delgado Community College Radiation Therapy Technology Program (RATH) is to provide students with both academic and clinical instruction, which will prepare them to function safely as competent, compassionate, entry-level radiation therapists who respond professionally and ethically to patients and other team members of the radiation oncology facility and healthcare community.

Program Goals: To uphold the mission, the following goals have been set to prepare graduates to apply for the certification examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in Therapy:
 

1. Students will be clinically competent.
2. Students will demonstrate communication skills.
3. Students will develop critical thinking skills.
4. Students will model professionalism.

Student Learning Outcomes: The following Student Learning Outcomes will validate achievement of the program goals:

    1. Students will be clinically competent.
        The student will demonstrate safe and accurate equipment operation in simulation and on the treatment unit.
        The student will verify understanding of simulation and treatment unit procedures.
        The student will exhibit knowledge of basic patient care. 
        The student will perform basic treatment plans and calculations.

    2. Students will demonstrate communication skills.
        The student will successfully demonstrate effective communication skills in the clinical setting.
        The student will demonstrate satisfactory oral communication.
        The student will practice effective written communication skills.

    3. Students will develop critical thinking skills.
        The student will study documented radiation treatment errors to assist in development of problem-solving and critical thinking skills. 
        The student will demonstrate accuracy of locating and setting treatment unit parameters documented in the treatment prescription.
        The student will use critical thinking & problem-solving skills in clinical situations.

    4. Students will model professionalism.
        The student will demonstrate professionalism in the clinical setting.
        The student will demonstrate an understanding of the importance of professional development and lifelong learning.

Delgado Community College is an open admissions college; however, acceptance into the program is by selection. The Admissions Committee for the program reviews and evaluates each application on an impartial basis. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the program. Prospective students should contact the Allied Health Admissions Office to initiate application procedure.

Students accepted into the program will be required to meet the technical standards of the Radiation Therapy Technology profession which are available for review in the Allied Health Admissions Office.
To be eligible to apply for admission to the Radiation Therapy program students must:

1. Be an associate degree graduate of an accredited allied health occupation program OR
2. Have at least 60 credit hours of previous college coursework.
3. All applicants must have completed the following:

Prerequisites:

• BIOL 251 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I  3
• BIOL 252 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II  3
• BIOL 253 - Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory  1
• BIOL 254 - Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory  1
   
• ENGL 101 - English Composition I  3 OR
• ENGL 110 Intensive English Composition I  
   
• ENGL 102 - English Composition II  3
• HESC 111 - Medical Terminology  3
• MATH 120 - Contemporary Math  3
• MATH 128 - Applied Algebra  3
• PHYS 101 - Introduction to Concepts in Physics  3
• PSYC 127 - Introduction to Psychology  3
• Humanities Course  3

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the Radiation Therapy Post-Associate Certificate program, the learner will be able to:

• Assess foundational knowledge of safe and accurate equipment operation in CT simulation and on the treatment unit (SLO # 1)
• Exhibit professionalism and the ability to communicate and work effectively with an interdisciplinary team (SLO # 2)
• Use radiation therapy equipment (SLO # 3)
• Explain radiation therapy procedures (SLO # 4)
• Discuss radiation treatment side effects (SLO # 5)
• Analyze and implement treatment prescriptions and plans for safe and accurate treatment (SLO # 6)
• Recognize the unique needs of patients (SLO # 7)