Radition Therapist School Mission Statement Goals/Objectives

Profession

The Radiation Therapist is responsible for administering radiation treatment as prescribed by a Radiation Oncologist, through a variety of sophisticated therapeutic and imaging equipment. The Radiation Therapist is also instrumental in the treatment planning of a patient's course of radiation. In addition, the therapist plays an active role in the patient's support while the patient diagnosed with cancer undergoes his/her course of radiation.

Mission Statement

The University of Louisville Hospital (UofL Healthcare) James Graham Brown Cancer Center Department of Radiation Oncology Radiation Therapist School is dedicated to the education of students in the judicious use of ionizing radiation to treat patients with cancer and cancer related diseases. This program is committed to producing students who employ effective and ethical patient care using the technical skills required of an entry-level radiation therapist in today’s rapidly changing profession.

Goals

Graduates will practice as a competent entry level radiation therapist.
Graduates will practice critical thinking, problem solving, communication skills, and participate as part of the healthcare team.
Graduates will practice ethical behavior and professional development and growth in healthcare and lifelong learning.

Student Objectives

The objectives for our each student in the Radiation Therapist School are defined as to the following. The student is to demonstrate the following tasks under the direction of a Radiation Oncologist, Dosimetrist, or Oncology Nurse, Radiation Physicist or certified Radiation Therapist:

To deliver a planned course of radiation treatment
To verify the mathematical accuracy of the prescription.
To maintain daily records and document technical details of the treatment administered
To observe the clinical progress of the patient undergoing radiation therapy, observe the first signs of any complication, and determine when treatment should be withheld until a physician may be consulted.
To be able to anticipate the patients needs and /or concerns and determine the appropriate action.
To detect equipment malfunctions, report same to the proper authority, and know the safe limits of equipment
To apply rules and regulations for radiation safety, detect any radiation hazards, and provide for appropriate public safety in the event of a radiation accident.
To understand the function and utilization of equipment.
To understand the use of all treatment accessories.
To understand treatment methods and techniques
To simulate and plan a prescribed course of treatment.
To construct immobilization and beam directional devices
To be able to prepare a brachytherapy source (Dummy sources will be utilized in the preparation)
To assist and perform with the physicist or dosimetrist in the calibration of the equipment ,in quality assurance and in the treatment planning procedures.
To participate in the patient initial and follow-up program and in recording statistical data.
To participate in the patient’s nursing care while undergoing radiation treatments and patient education procedures.

Competencies

The student must also demonstrate the following competencies:

Practice oral and written communications.
Maintain records of treatment administered.
Perform basic mathematical functions.
Demonstrate knowledge of human structure, function, and pathology.
Demonstrate knowledge of radiation physics in radiation interactions and radiation protection techniques.
Provide basic patient care and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.
Deliver a planned course of radiation therapy.
Verify physician's prescribed course of radiation therapy and recognized errors in computation.
Produce and utilize immobilization and beam directional devices.
Prepare commonly used brachytherapy sources (dummy sources would be utilized)).
Demonstrate knowledge of methods of calibration of equipment and quality assurance.
Prepare isodose summations.
Detect malfunctioning equipment.
Apply rules and regulations for radiation safety, and detect defects which might pose a radiation hazard.
Understand the function of equipment and accessories.
Demonstrate knowledge of methods of current patient evaluation (status checks) and continuing patient evaluation (follow up)
Recognize patient’s clinical progress and complications, and demonstrate knowledge of when to withhold treatment until consultation with the physician.
Demonstrate knowledge of methods of applying wedges and / or compensating filters in a planned treatment.

The objectives, goals and competencies are achieved through clinical education evaluations, clinical education check offs, and didactic course grades. The competencies and objectives along with their clinical and didactic education requirements (see clinical education guidelines and acceptance and dismissal policy) are required to be achieved for the student to be eligible for graduation.