WHAT IS A RADIATION THERAPIST?
Radiation Therapists are health care professionals skilled in the art and science of medical radiation treatment delivery. The majority of patients receiving radiation therapy have cancer. Along with surgery and chemotherapy, radiation therapy offers these patients the best chance to succeed in the fight against their disease. Major focus areas are the care and assessment of patients, simulation, treatment planning, and delivery of treatments using linear accelerators and radioisotopes. High technology equipment and innovative treatment methods maximize treatment effectiveness. Radiation therapists must have excellent technical skills, and also be empathetic and effective communicators. Radiation therapy can be a very rewarding career.
PROGRAM INFORMATION
The program leads to a baccalaureate degree in Radiologic Sciences with a major in Radiation Therapy. Students must complete 51 hours of major courses in Radiation Therapy along with 35 General Education hours and 34 hours of Radiography hours (from an accredited program). Upon completion of this degree students are eligible to apply to the ARRT for the examination in Radiation Therapy.
Classes for new radiation therapy students begin in the Fall Semester (August) and run for twelve consecutive months. During the 12 month program, students participate in a structured rotation sequence through the radiation therapy departments in the clinical setting.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
1. General Education Requirements
Students who need more than 10 hours of general education requirements are encouraged not to apply to the program. Preference will be given to those who have less than 10 hours to complete. Interviews will not be granted for those lacking more than 10 hours of general education requirements. The only exception will be if there are not enough applicants to fill the class.
2. Completion of an accredited radiography program.
3. Cumulative Grade Point Average - minimum of 2.5
4. Completion of A&P I and II with labs (8 hours).
Points will be given during application process according to GPA. Cumulative GPA less than 2.5 will not be considered for admission.
ADMISSION PROCESS
- Apply to Arkansas State University and have all transfer coursework evaluated for credit.
- Determine whether you meet the Admission Requirements for the Radiation Therapy program.
- Download Radiation Therapy application.
- Download Radiation Therapy reference forms.
- Download Radiation Therapy check sheet and follow the directions.
- Submit completed application by April 1st. Application packet must be in the department office by 5 p.m. on April 1!
- After evaluation of all completed applications, interviews with qualified applicants will be conducted.
Selection of students will be based upon the following:
Applicants to the Radiation Therapy Program are selected by the Admissions Committee using the following criteria:
(1) Cumulative grade point average (Cumulative GPA less than 2.5 will not be considered for admission.)
(2) Selected course grades
(3) Interview
(4) Number of completed courses toward degree
(5) Arkansas residents, ASU students, and those that have radiation therapy work
experience receive extra points.
(6) References
The above criteria are converted to a point system.
Students who need more than 10 hours of general education requirements are encouraged not to apply to the program. Preference will be given to those who have less than 10 hours to complete. Interviews will not be granted for those lacking more than 10 hours of general education requirements. The only exception will be if there is not enough applicants to fill the class.
A new class begins each Fall and applications are due before April 1 of each year.
For more information contact:
Tracy B. White, M.S., R.T. (R)(T)
Arkansas State University
Radiologic Science Program
P.O. Box 910
State University (Jonesboro), AR 72467
Arkansas State University is an equal opportunity institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap/disability, or other unlawful factors in employment practices or admission and treatment of students.
Please print the Application Check Sheet, an Application and 3 reference forms to be completed and submitted by April 1st. Application packet must be in the department office by 5 p.m. on April 1!
CLINICAL EDUCATION
Classes for new radiation therapy students begin in the Fall Semester (August) and run for twelve consecutive months. During the 12 month program, students participate in a structured rotation sequence through the radiation therapy departments in the clinical affiliates. These include:
St. Bernard's Regional Medial Center
Jonesboro, AR |
Three Rivers Medical Center - North
Poplar Bluff, MO |
St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, TN |
White River Medical Center
Batesville, AR |
Students must provide their own transportation to the clinical affiliates. When determining educational costs, consideration should be given to this additional expense.
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS
Arkansas State University College of Nursing and Health Professions requires background checks for students admitted to professional programs if the screening is required by an affiliate requirement. This is to ensure compliance with agreements between the College and Clinical Facilities.
Arkansas State University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions works with Verified Credentials, Inc. to establish an acceptable screening procedure. This cost of the background check is between $50 and $100. Applicants who fail to submit a background check will not be eligible to participate in the clinical experience.
Please follow the directions in the link below for submitting your application to Verified Credentials:
Upon completion, the results of the background screening will be sent to you via email that will apprise you of the findings as well as your final score of:
Red—Convictions or Discrepancy found
Yellow—Possible Discrepancy found
Green—No Convictions or Discrepancies found
If any information is found that would negatively affect your eligibility for clinical placement in the Program, you will be given an opportunity to challenge the information through the Adverse Action process associated with Verified Credentials. The clinical site will receive the information concerning any reports that are yellow or red and will determine your eligibility to participate in the clinical experience base on their criteria.
CURRICULUM
| Semester |
Course: |
Hours: |
| FALL |
RST 4203 Intro to Radiation Therapy and Pt. Care
RST 4214 Radiation Therapy Principles + Practice I
RST 4313 Radiation Physics I
RST 4513 Radiation Therapy Clinical Education I
RS 4463 Statistics for Medical Imaging
|
3
4
3
3
3 |
| SPRING |
RST 4224 Radiation Therapy Principles + Practice II
RST 4333 Applied Radiation Biology
RST 4323 Radiation Physics II
RST 4523 Radiation Therapy Clinical Education II
RS 4343 Radiologic Administrative Concepts
|
4
3
3
3
3 |
| SUMMER |
RST 4234 Radiation Therapy Principles + Practice III
RST 4413 Radiation Protection, Safety, and Quality Management
RST 4242 Radiation Therapy Clinical Treatment Planning
RST 4533 Radiation Therapy Clinical Education III
RS 3133 Radiologic Sectional Anatomy
|
4
3
2
3
3 |
* This curriculum consists of 38 Radiation Therapy hours and 8 Radioligic Science hours.
** All clinical courses reflect an 8:1 hour ratio for clock hours to credit hours.
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
The Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences programs and professions require a high level of proficiency in English so that all students will be able to fully meet academic and clinical objectives as well as meet criteria for professional licensure.
All foreign born students - learn more about the English Proficiency Reqirements >>
EXPENSES
In addition to tuition costs, Radiologic Science students will incur the following expenses:
- All students in the College of Nursing & Health Professions must purchase malpractice insurance prior to rotating through clinical sites. The annual cost of this insurance is about $40. Information regarding purchase of malpractice insurance may be obtained through the Program Director.
- Students (except DMS & MRI students) are assessed a fee of $120 per academic year to cover the cost of radiation exposure monitoring devices.
- The cost of textbooks will vary each semester, with a majority of the total cost occurring in the first semester of the professional program. Textbook costs for the first semester may be as much as $500. These texts are used throughout the program.
- Students will be required to purchase uniforms. Approximately $200 should be estimated for uniforms for the program.
- CPR certification is required. Some classes are free, while others may charge a nominal fee.
- Students are required to purchase name badges. This is a nominal, one time fee of less than $20.
- Arkansas State University College of Nursing and Health Professions requires background checks for students admitted to professional programs. This cost of the background check is between $50 and $100.
IMMUNIZATION & HEALTH RECORDS
Once accepted into a program students must provide documented evidence of vaccination for hepatitis-B. Vaccination consists of three separate doses of the vaccine, given at time zero, 1 month, and 6 months. Optimal protection is not conferred until after the third dose. The student must start this series immediately after acceptance to the professional program.
Students will be required to provide documentation of a physical examination once accepted into the professional program. In addition, pregnancy is of special concern because students are in a clinical radiation environment with the exception of Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
TECHNICAL STANDARDS
In order to ensure patient safety and welfare, the student must demonstrate "with or without accommodations" in order to successfully complete the program:
- Sufficient eyesight to observe teaching methods and patients, manipulate equipment and accessories, and evaluate radiographs for quality.
- Sufficient hearing to communicate effectively with members of the healthcare team and patients and hear various patient, equipment and background sounds.
- Sufficient gross and fine motor coordination to manipulate equipment and accessories, lift a minimum of fifty (50) pounds, and respond promptly to patient's needs.
- Satisfactory intellectual and emotional functions to ensure patient safety and to exercise independent judgment in the performance of assigned responsibilities in stressful situations.
- Satisfactory verbal, written, and reading skills to effectively and promptly communicate in English.
- The ability to work collaboratively and demonstrate ethical behaviors with all members of the healthcare team.
CREDIT FOR CURRENT PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION
Students holding current ARRT Advanced Level Certification in Cardiovascular-Interventional Technology, Mammography, Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or Quality Management, ARRT registration in Radiation Therapy or Nuclear Medicine, NMTCB registration in Nuclear Medicine, or ARDMS registration in Diagnostic Medical Sonography may request credit for work experience, independent study options, and waiver of clinical education course work in their area of expertise. These requests will be evaluated on an individual basis but will require completion of at least one course in the specialty from ASU in order to complete the requirements for a minor toward the BSRS degree and at least two courses in the specialty from ASU to complete the requirements for a major toward the BSRS degree. In addition, students must complete the general education requirements, Radiologic Sciences Core requirements, and meet all residency requirements of the university.
CREDIT FOR WORK EXPERIENCE
Technologists who have successfully passed an appropriate national professional examination and have worked 1,000 hours in that specialty over the past two years are eligible to receive credit for work experience. Individuals should contact their advisor for further information.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
Arkansas State University is an equal opportunity institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap/disability, or other unlawful factors in employment practices or admission and treatment of students.
ONLINE WEB COURSES
Arkansas State University Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences programs do not offer full degrees or professional clinical courses via online Internet web resources. However, we do offer some courses via the university Blackboard (trademark software) online Internet web services.
These courses vary in design; some are taken completely online and do not require any on-campus attendance, others require presentations or examinations on-campus, while still others meet regularly on-campus.
All online Internet web courses taken via the university Blackboard web site qualify for ASU-Jonesboro main campus residency course credit.
If you are a current ASU student, you may access Web for Students to search the current course schedules for web courses. If you are not a current ASU student, please contact us at the contacts given at the bottom of this page to find out what the possibilities are for you.
Mission
The Radiation Therapy Program at Arkansas State University exists to produce competent entry-level radiation therapists for the practice of radiation therapy.
Goals/Outcomes
1. Students will be clinically competent:
Outcomes
a. Students will be able to perform treatment procedures accurately
b. Students will be able to perform simulation procedures accurately
2. Students will communicate effectively:
Outcomes
a. Students will demonstrate written communication skills
b. Students will use effective oral communication skills
3. Students will develop critical thinking skills:
Outcomes
a. Students will be able to adopt standard radiation therapy
techniques to varying clinical situations
b. Students will identify & access effective treatment plans
4. Students will demonstrate professionalism:
Outcomes
a. Students will understand professional ethics
b. Students will demonstrate professional conduct
ACCREDITATION
The program is accredited by:
The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 N. Wacker Dr., Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
(312) 704-5300
For more information contact:
www.jrcert.org
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
American Healthcare Radiology Administrators
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
American Society of Radiologic Technologists
Association of Educators in Radiological Sciences
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements
Radiology Business Management Association
