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Course Descriptions for the Radiation Therapist Program:
Fall Semester
Principles of Radiation Oncology (30 Lecture Hours)
This course will provide a rationale for the principles and concepts employed in the field of Radiation Therapy. It deals with the fundamentals of the Radiation Therapist Program, the psychological and legal aspects of the cancer patient and a general overview of the clinical applications of radiation therapy to the cancer patient. This course provides the student with the basic concepts of patient care. Vital signs, emergency management, pain management, and nutrition are reviewed. The nursing care of the head and neck, breast, lung, GU, GYN, etc. areas of the patient who is undergoing radiation treatments is reviewed.. CPR certification is required for students. Various aspects in Pharmacology will be reviewed, a general overview of computer applications is given. Medical Imaging and Processing of film is reviewed. This course also provides basic concept to the student the billing coding for the patient.
Technical Radiation Oncology I (20 Lecture Hours)
This course will provide the student with the technical aspects of Radiation Oncology. Modalities of treatment, the distinctive properties of each patient setup considerations are discussed. Various treatment setups will be performed for various treatment sites. Mold room and immobilization devices will be discussed and demonstrated. Surface anatomy for the various anatomical regions will be reviewed.
Treatment Planning I (40 Lecture Hours)
This course provides basic concepts of treatment planning utilized in Radiation Oncology. Basic calculations for patients who would undergo radiation treatments are performed.
Mathematical Analysis (15 Lecture Hours)
This course will provide the student with an introductory study of college algebra, trigonometry and precalculus mathematics to be used in conjunction with treatment planning for various techniques to be calculated.
Medical Terminology (15 Lecture Hours)
This course will provide the student with an introductory study of medical terms as they relate to the practice of radiation oncology. The student will also review general terms for body systems and diseases used in the medical profession.
Physical Concepts in Radiation Oncology I (40 Lecture Hours)
(Radiation Physics I)
This course will provide students with the basic principles and concepts of radiation protection necessary to protect themselves, co-workers, and patients from unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation. This course will also define the instrumentation and the practical application of the same. The student will perform calculations for MPD for radiation workers of various ages and for members of the general population in various age groups. Specific responsibilities of the Radiation Therapist are discussed examined, performed and evaluated. Students will be introduced to radiation interactions in matter, as well as primary and secondary barrier calculations.
Radiation Biology (15 Lecture Hours)
This course will provide the student with the concepts of radiation biology including in-depth instruction on the effects of various ionizing radiation specifically for radiotherapy patients. Emphasis placed upon effects of radiation on the various systems of the human body and the tolerance level of each are pertinent
to radiation therapy.
Clinical Education Experience I (Approximately 300 Clinical Hours)
Clinical practice whereby students, in a closely supervised relationship, observe and assist in actual patient care situations. This includes supervised clinical practice with competencies developed in areas of simulation, physics, dosimetry, and nursing care to the radiation therapy patient. The students will assist the staff therapists in preparation and treatment of the patient who is to undergo radiation therapy treatments.
Spring Semester
Staging and Treatment of Cancer (45 Lecture Hours)
This course provides the rationale and the staging of tumors within the various systems of the body and provides the methods used clinically to
diagnose and treat cancer patients with radiation. The role of radiotherapy and its relationship to other modalities utilized in the treatment of cancer is
explored and defined. Emphasis is placed on radiation techniques used to treat the specific sites of disease.
Technical Radiation Oncology II ( 30 Hours )
This course will provide the student with the technical aspects of Radiation Oncology. Various treatment setups will be performed for a number of treatment sites. Surface anatomy for the various anatomical sites will be reviewed.
Physical Concepts in Radiation Oncology II (60 Hours)
(Radiation Physics II)
This course will prove the student with a review of concepts and theories in developing an understanding of medical use of radiation in clinical settings. Treatment units used in external radiation therapy, measurement and quality of ionizing radiation produced, absorbed dose measurement,
applications specifically for radiation patients are discussed. This course will provide the student with knowledge of physics units, and dose distribution.
TTreatment Planning II (60 Lecture Hours)
Problem solving with the more complex techniques utilized in planning a patient's radiation treatment. Various external beam techniques and calculations are performed. Treatment plans using various techniques are performed. Brachytherapy concepts are introduced. Emerging technology and techniques in radiation therapy are presented and discussed.
Anatomy and Pathology of Cancer (45 Lecture Hours)
This course will involve descriptions of primary organs and systems in the regions of CNS, genitourinary, GI, reproductive, respiratory, endocrine, skin, muscular and skeletal system. Grading of tumors within the CNS, genitourinary, GI, reproductive, respiratory, endocrine, skin, muscular and skeletal regions are presented detailing the pathological aspect of the cells and tissues. Topographic anatomy, physiologic and basic functions of the specific sites will be discussed. Tumor pathology including epidemiology, etiology, signs/symptoms, cell types, predisposing factors and metastatic pathways of specific sites, specified in the course syllabus, are presented and discussed.
Problem Solving / Quality Assurance (20 Lecture hours)
This course will provide the student with an understanding of requirements necessary for quality assurance of patient care, mechanical, electrical, and technical aspects involved in Radiation Oncology. Various problem solving scenarios will be performed relating to the patient’s treatment, care, and technical / mechanical aspects.
Cross Sectional Anatomy (25 Hours)
This course will provide the principles and concepts of various imaging modalities used in application for diagnosis and design of radiation treatments. Cross sectional anatomy will be demonstrated in CT, PET, MRI, and Ultrasound examinations.
CLINICAL EDUCATION EXPERIENCE II (Approximately 500 Hours)
Clinical practice whereby students, in a closely supervised relationship, assist and perform in actual patient care situations. This includes supervised clinical practice with competencies areas of simulation, physics, dosimetry and treatment procedures. The students will more actively assist and participate
In the preparation and treatment of the patient who is to undergo radiation therapy.
Summer Semester
Clinical Education Experience III (Approximately 250 Clinical Hours)
Supervised clinical practice of simulation, treatment, physics, and dosimetry procedures. The student is expected to demonstrate competency in the performance of all clinical functions of simulation, dosimetry, physics, and treatment areas. An advanced clinical education course in which the student executes both basic and advanced treatment procedures in the clinical setting under direct supervision and as deemed appropriate to the student's competency level. The course further perfects the clinical expertise and judgment of the student in all aspects of clinical radiation therapy technology. Individualized performance evaluations obtained are an inherent part of this course.
Review Seminar (30 lecture hours)
Capstone seminar where selected topics related to radiation therapy are reviewed with emphasis on the vast radiation therapy knowledge base required of a practicing radiation therapist. Students will also be instructed in standardized test taking skills.
Course Descriptions for the Radiation Therapist Program:
Fall Semester
Principles of Radiation Oncology (30 Lecture Hours)
This course will provide a rationale for the principles and concepts employed in the field of Radiation Therapy. It deals with the fundamentals of the Radiation Therapist Program, the psychological and legal aspects of the cancer patient and a general overview of the clinical applications of radiation therapy to the cancer patient. This course provides the student with the basic concepts of patient care. Vital signs, emergency management, pain management, and nutrition are reviewed. The nursing care of the head and neck, breast, lung, GU, GYN, etc. areas of the patient who is undergoing radiation treatments is reviewed.. CPR certification is required for students. Various aspects in Pharmacology will be reviewed, a general overview of computer applications is given. Medical Imaging and Processing of film is reviewed. This course also provides basic concept to the student the billing coding for the patient.
Technical Radiation Oncology I (20 Lecture Hours)
This course will provide the student with the technical aspects of Radiation Oncology. Modalities of treatment, the distinctive properties of each patient setup considerations are discussed. Various treatment setups will be performed for various treatment sites. Mold room and immobilization devices will be discussed and demonstrated. Surface anatomy for the various anatomical regions will be reviewed.
Treatment Planning I (40 Lecture Hours)
This course provides basic concepts of treatment planning utilized in Radiation Oncology. Basic calculations for patients who would undergo radiation treatments are performed.
Mathematical Analysis (15 Lecture Hours)
This course will provide the student with an introductory study of college algebra, trigonometry and precalculus mathematics to be used in conjunction with treatment planning for various techniques to be calculated.
Medical Terminology (15 Lecture Hours)
This course will provide the student with an introductory study of medical terms as they relate to the practice of radiation oncology. The student will also review general terms for body systems and diseases used in the medical profession.
Physical Concepts in Radiation Oncology I (40 Lecture Hours)
(Radiation Physics I)
This course will provide students with the basic principles and concepts of radiation protection necessary to protect themselves, co-workers, and patients from unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation. This course will also define the instrumentation and the practical application of the same. The student will perform calculations for MPD for radiation workers of various ages and for members of the general population in various age groups. Specific responsibilities of the Radiation Therapist are discussed examined, performed and evaluated. Students will be introduced to radiation interactions in matter, as well as primary and secondary barrier calculations.
Radiation Biology (15 Lecture Hours)
This course will provide the student with the concepts of radiation biology including in-depth instruction on the effects of various ionizing radiation specifically for radiotherapy patients. Emphasis placed upon effects of radiation on the various systems of the human body and the tolerance level of each are pertinent
to radiation therapy.
Clinical Education Experience I (Approximately 300 Clinical Hours)
Clinical practice whereby students, in a closely supervised relationship, observe and assist in actual patient care situations. This includes supervised clinical practice with competencies developed in areas of simulation, physics, dosimetry, and nursing care to the radiation therapy patient. The students will assist the staff therapists in preparation and treatment of the patient who is to undergo radiation therapy treatments.
Spring Semester
Staging and Treatment of Cancer (45 Lecture Hours)
This course provides the rationale and the staging of tumors within the various systems of the body and provides the methods used clinically to
diagnose and treat cancer patients with radiation. The role of radiotherapy and its relationship to other modalities utilized in the treatment of cancer is
explored and defined. Emphasis is placed on radiation techniques used to treat the specific sites of disease.
Technical Radiation Oncology II ( 30 Hours )
This course will provide the student with the technical aspects of Radiation Oncology. Various treatment setups will be performed for a number of treatment sites. Surface anatomy for the various anatomical sites will be reviewed.
Physical Concepts in Radiation Oncology II (60 Hours)
(Radiation Physics II)
This course will prove the student with a review of concepts and theories in developing an understanding of medical use of radiation in clinical settings. Treatment units used in external radiation therapy, measurement and quality of ionizing radiation produced, absorbed dose measurement,
applications specifically for radiation patients are discussed. This course will provide the student with knowledge of physics units, and dose distribution.
TTreatment Planning II (60 Lecture Hours)
Problem solving with the more complex techniques utilized in planning a patient's radiation treatment. Various external beam techniques and calculations are performed. Treatment plans using various techniques are performed. Brachytherapy concepts are introduced. Emerging technology and techniques in radiation therapy are presented and discussed.
Anatomy and Pathology of Cancer (45 Lecture Hours)
This course will involve descriptions of primary organs and systems in the regions of CNS, genitourinary, GI, reproductive, respiratory, endocrine, skin, muscular and skeletal system. Grading of tumors within the CNS, genitourinary, GI, reproductive, respiratory, endocrine, skin, muscular and skeletal regions are presented detailing the pathological aspect of the cells and tissues. Topographic anatomy, physiologic and basic functions of the specific sites will be discussed. Tumor pathology including epidemiology, etiology, signs/symptoms, cell types, predisposing factors and metastatic pathways of specific sites, specified in the course syllabus, are presented and discussed.
Problem Solving / Quality Assurance (20 Lecture hours)
This course will provide the student with an understanding of requirements necessary for quality assurance of patient care, mechanical, electrical, and technical aspects involved in Radiation Oncology. Various problem solving scenarios will be performed relating to the patient’s treatment, care, and technical / mechanical aspects.
Cross Sectional Anatomy (25 Hours)
This course will provide the principles and concepts of various imaging modalities used in application for diagnosis and design of radiation treatments. Cross sectional anatomy will be demonstrated in CT, PET, MRI, and Ultrasound examinations.
CLINICAL EDUCATION EXPERIENCE II (Approximately 500 Hours)
Clinical practice whereby students, in a closely supervised relationship, assist and perform in actual patient care situations. This includes supervised clinical practice with competencies areas of simulation, physics, dosimetry and treatment procedures. The students will more actively assist and participate
In the preparation and treatment of the patient who is to undergo radiation therapy.
Summer Semester
Clinical Education Experience III (Approximately 250 Clinical Hours)
Supervised clinical practice of simulation, treatment, physics, and dosimetry procedures. The student is expected to demonstrate competency in the performance of all clinical functions of simulation, dosimetry, physics, and treatment areas. An advanced clinical education course in which the student executes both basic and advanced treatment procedures in the clinical setting under direct supervision and as deemed appropriate to the student's competency level. The course further perfects the clinical expertise and judgment of the student in all aspects of clinical radiation therapy technology. Individualized performance evaluations obtained are an inherent part of this course.
Review Seminar (30 lecture hours)
Capstone seminar where selected topics related to radiation therapy are reviewed with emphasis on the vast radiation therapy knowledge base required of a practicing radiation therapist. Students will also be instructed in standardized test taking skills.
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