Radiation Therapy, A.S.

Program Design

The Radiation Therapy associate degree program enables graduates to work as radiation therapists. Radiation therapy uses high energy X-rays to treat diseases, primarily cancer. Using highly specialized computerized equipment, the radiation is targeted to abnormal cells while minimizing the side effects. The Radiation Therapist is a vital member of the health care team in the Radiation Oncology Department. This individual is responsible for administering, monitoring, and documenting the prescribed course of treatment from the radiation oncologist.  The Radiation Therapist is involved in assessing the physical and emotional needs of the patients and making the appropriate referrals. This unique profession combines technical and interpersonal skills and offers many career possibilities available to trained radiation therapists, including management, dosimetry, education, applications specialist, sales, and technology-related fields.

Scholastic Preparation and Admission Process

Radiation therapy Program relies on a selective admission, which uses specific admissions criteria.  The admission criteria require that the students have completed the following prerequisites:

• BIO 211 and 212  Anatomy & Physiology (2 semesters with a lab)
  • Completed within 5 years of the application deadline
  • Required grade of C or better
• MAT 186 Pre-Calculus
  • Completed within 5 years of the application deadline
  • Required grade of C or better
• COM 173 Public Speaking
• ENG 101 English Composition

The minimum overall GPA requirement is 2.5.  Also required for admission to the Radiation Therapy Program is a health care application, a clinical shadow to be scheduled by program faculty and an interview.  Technical standards for the program are available upon request.  More information or questions on specific criteria for program acceptance and the admission process is available from the Admissions Office at 860-512-3210 or the Mathematics, Science & Health Careers division office at 860-512-2704.

Accreditation

This program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology and prepares graduates for certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).                

The JRCERT has been authorized by the United States Office of Education to accredit educational programs for Radiography and Radiation Therapy.  The standards are located at JRCERT.org.  If students do not feel the program is in compliance with the JRCERT standards may call or write to the JRCERT at:

              The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
              20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
              Chicago, IL 60606-3182
              Phone: (312) 704-5300
              Fax: (312) 704-5304
              Web: www.jrcert.org
              eMail: mail@jcert.org

Curriculum

The program begins each August and continues through two years, including the summer semester.  Classes with a RDT and RAD designation and clinical experience are offered during the day.  After a short orientation students begin the clinical experience in conjunction with classes held at the college. 

Modifications to the MCC academic calendar will be made for the clinical courses to enhance the clinical experience.  Students can expect to begin their clinical course 1-3 weeks prior to the scheduled date on the MCC calendar. Specific dates for the year are published in the student handbook and are published on the MCC catalog for the semester.

Clinical Instruction will take place at the following sites:

• Hartford Hospital Radiation Oncology Department, Hartford, CT
• Mid State Medical Center Radiation Oncology Department, Meriden,  CT
• UConn Health Center - John Dempsey Hospital, Farmington, CT
• Middlesex Memorial Hospital, Middlesex, CT.
• DeQuattro Community Cancer Care, Manchester, CT
• St. Francis Care, Hartford, CT
• Hospital of Central Connecticut

Note:  Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from class and clinical assignments.

Due to standards from The Joint Commission, students are advised that the healthcare facilities to which they are assigned for clinical rotations may require that they submit a criminal background check, required immunization records and other documentation needed to meet the standards. Manchester Community College cannot be responsible for finding an alternate clinical placement for a student who fails to meet the required hospital requirements.  A student who is unable to complete the required clinical experience will be unable to complete the requirements for the associate degree in Radiation Therapy but may be able to apply some or all of the credits completed to an associate degree in General Studies.  Students are advised to meet with an MCC Counselor to discuss degree completion requirements.  Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate is eligible to apply for participation in the American Registry of Radiologic Technology Certification Exam. For specific requires for eligibility please visit ARRT.org.  Once you have received certification from the ARRT by successfully completing the national exam, you will be eligible to work in any state. Many states require licensure prior to your employment. You can access licensure information on each state by contacting the state’s department of labor.  Students are responsible for hospital parking fees, uniforms and miscellaneous expenses.