Program Description

A radiation therapist uses high energy, ionizing radiation to kill cancer cells. Radiation therapists have the ability to blend compassion, patient care, and technical skills to cure illness and to enhance and extend the quality of patients’ lives.

The Radiation Therapy Program is a six-semester, two year Associate in Science degree program requiring 77 credits total. The program’s curriculum for radiation therapy technology provides the opportunity for students to obtain the knowledge needed to function as a competent therapist.

The program provides radiation therapy technology students with experience in a clinical setting to develop the interpersonal skills of a competent therapist.

Mission & Goals

MISSION STATEMENT

The Radiation Therapy Program mission is to provide educational experiences leading to success, professionalism, and opportunities in the field of radiation therapy technology.

GOALS

• Prepare each graduate with a level of didactic and clinical competence that provides successful entry into the profession.

Objectives

• Acquire and apply the knowledge and skills required in the performance of tasks of the staff radiation therapist at entry level
• Provide patient care, comfort, privacy, and confidentiality
• Apply principles of radiation protection for the patient, self and others
• Apply principles of quality assurance in radiation therapy

• Promote and maintain high academic and professional standards.

Objectives

• Communicate effectively in radiation therapy and the medical environment in verbal and written documentation
• Demonstrate appropriate affect, apply independent judgment, discretion and team work in radiation therapy practice

• Provide a foundation for advanced study in radiation therapy

Objectives

• Participate in professional activities and continuing education to promote life-long learning
• Encourage participation in advanced learning activities in the profession of radiation therapy

  Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Radiation Therapy Technology Program, you must met these criteria.

• You hold, or will hold at the time of enrollment in the Radiation Therapy technology Program, a high school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma (GED).

• You have applied to and been fully accepted by Miami Dade College. (For application information, see the Miami Dade College Catalog, available from admissions and registration offices on any campus.)

• You have passing scores on the Computerized Placement Test (CPT), or if you have taken the test but have not passed, then you have satisfactorily completed the developmental courses prescribed by MDC. The CPT can be scheduled through Testing Services at any MDC campus. For exceptions to this requirement, see the MDC Catalog.

• You have earned a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.0. (3.0 preferred) on a scale of 4.0 for any college-level courses you have taken.

• You have earned a "C" grade or better on any required pre-radiation therapy course you have taken.

• You have not repeated more than once any science or math course that you have taken.

• You have met with a Program Representative or Medical Campus advisor.

• You have completed HSC 0003.

• You have satisfied the college computer competency requirements.

• You have passed a physical examination upon admission to the program.

ADA Standards

TECHNICAL STANDARDS

In order to fulfill the requirements of the Radiation Therapy Program, students must be able to:

• Communicate in a clear and concise manner to patients and hospital personnel.

• Read and apply appropriate instructions in patients’ charts, notes, and records.

• Lift 30 pounds of weight from the floor to shoulder height.

• Move immobile patients from a stretcher to a treatment couch with assistance from faculty personnel.

• Push a patient from the waiting room to the treatment room.

• See in dim light.

• Distinguish equipment and background sounds and hear a variety of pitches.

• Walk and stand for four hours or more for continuous periods.

• Visually monitor the patient.

• Have good wrist, hand and arm strength in both upper extremities.

• Utilize a keyboard to input data.

• Use good body mechanics to bend, stretch, reach, stoop, kneel, and twist in performance of job duties..

Curriculum

Students are admitted to the Radiation Technology Program in August of each year. It is strongly recommended that you take all the required non-science general education core courses before admission to the program. The curriculum is subject to change. If you have questions about current curriculum requirements, contact the program representative at 305-237-4103

Course content is sequential and students should plan to enroll in all Radiation Therapy Technology courses in the order and during the terms indicated in the following curriculum outline. In addition to general education core courses, all students must complete HSC 0001 and the computer competency test.

Students entering the College in August 1998 or thereafter, including former students who have not been enrolled in the past 12 months must follow the curriculum below.

Approximate Costs

As of August 2006, the cost of tuition was $68.94 per credit for in-state students and $228.76 per credit for non-Florida Residents. Here are estimates for total tuition, based on 77 credits at these per-credit rates. In-state students: $5,309.00, non Florida Residents: $17,615.00. Tuition is due at the beginning of each term and can be determined by multiplying the number of credits by the cost per credit hour. The cost of books per course ranges from $50 to $300.

Students pay a laboratory fee of $20 for each lab course. An additional fee of $15.50 for malpractice insurance and $10.50 for accident insurance is required and is collected at the time of registration each Fall Term. Uniforms and lab coat will be purchased from the Campus Bookstore prior to the beginning of the program at a cost of approximately $62 for each set of scrubs and a lab coat. Appropriate all white, low-cut sneakers are required, and footwear costs may vary.

Effective January 2003, a one-time non-refundable fee of $25 us required with each medical center A.S. degree program application. Once accepted into the Radiation Therapy Program, a one-time non-refundable acceptance deposit of $100 must be paid by each student by the established deadline.

Accreditation

The program in Radiation Therapy Technology is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. (JRCERT). The most recent site visit was completed in March 2002.

Licensure

Graduates are eligible to apply to sit for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologies (ARRT) Examination in radiography and apply for a license as a general radiographer with the State of Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services, Office of Radiation Control. Both certification and a license as a general radiographer are required for employment in the state of Florida.

Graduation does not guarantee that the applicant will be granted registry/certification by the ARRT nor a state license to practice or a radiation therapist.

Important Phone Numbers

The mission of the Medical Center Campus is to provide students with affordable, accessible, quality education in health care careers. Faculty and staff strive to respond to the changing needs of students, health care providers, and health care consumers in the community at large through collaboration with health care and business communities. The Campus provides an environment that is conducive to learning by recognizing and responding to the diverse learning styles, cultures, and resources of its students.