Technical Certificate

Radiation Therapy Specialist (6153)

This is a selective access program. The Radiation Therapy Specialist program is available only to technologists or nuclear medicine technologists registered with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

The radiation therapist assists in the treatment of cancer patients. Working as part of a health care team, supervised by a radiation oncologist, the radiation therapist positions the patient for treatment, performs the necessary mathematical calculations to determine the radiation dosage and delivers the radiation treatments utilizing highly sophisticated equipment.

Prospective students must complete an application to the college, an application for the program and be in “good standing” with the ARRT. Students must provide a copy of their current ARRT card. The ARRT card must clearly show the candidate’s identification number, the registration category, the “valid through end of” date and indicates that the candidate is “in compliance with continuing education requirements.” Students will be notified by mail of their acceptance into the program. Orientation and registration information will also be provided. Those who fail to contact our office upon notification of acceptance will forfeit their placement in the program.

Expected Job Growth and Earnings
Growth should be faster than the average; as the population grows and ages, the demand for diagnostic imaging increases. ARRTs typically earn somewhere between $44,000 - $53,000.

Certification and Licensing
At the completion of the program, students will be eligible to sit for the ARRT board examination in radiation therapy.

Application Requirements
This certificate is designed for graduates of accredited radiography or nuclear medicine programs who have passed a certification examination in one of these disciplines (ARRT or NMTCB). Eligible individuals may enter this one-year program in order to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to become a registered radiation therapist.

Cost
Estimated tuition is $2,720 (for Florida residents, as of 7/05). The estimated cost for books, materials and fees is $2,000.

Curriculum

Professional Courses
RAT 1001	Introduction to Radiation Therapy	3
RAT 2242	Oncology I	3
RAT 2614	Radiation Physics	3
RAT 2241	Radiation Biology and Safety	3
RAT 1804	Clinical Education I	4
RAT 2651	Dosimetry and Treatment Planning	3
RAT 2243	Oncology II	3
RAT 2123	Patient Care in Radiation Therapy	3
RAT 2814	Clinical Education II	6
RAT 2061	Seminar: Registry Review	3
RAT 2824	Clinical Educaton III	9
	Total Credit Hours	43

Please see the technical certificate Graduation Requirements.

Notes
A physical examination will be required upon acceptance to the program.

Record of Conviction of a Crime
The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) will determine a Radiation Therapy program graduate’s eligibility for credentialing when there is an arrest/conviction record. Convicted felons must pre-apply to the ARRT to determine eligibility. Students should contact the ARRT at 651.687.0048 between the hours of 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. (EST) for questions concerning eligibility requirements. The ARRT must declare the student eligible before the student enrolls in the Radiation Therapy program.

Most clinical agencies require students to undergo drug screen and criminal background checks prior to placement in the agencies for clinical experiences. Students whose drug screening and criminal background checks are deemed unsatisfactory may be denied access to clinical experiences by the clinical agencies. Failure to qualify for and meet clinical requirements at clinical sites may prevent completion of the program. Withdrawal from the program may be necessary if students cannot be placed for clinical experiences.

The cost of the background check and drug screen is borne by the student. Additionally, it is the student’s responsibility to have all paperwork completed by the program’s published deadline.Students who are unable to complete the clinical requirements after acceptance into selective access programs are not eligible for refunds of tuition.