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SIUC Application    Program Application/Information    General Program Information

Radiation Therapy Program Application
Please use this application only if you are an RT or will be an RT by the Fall Semester.
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Welcome to the Radiation Therapy Specialization Homepage

Program Mission

The mission of the Radiation Therapy Program offered by Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) is to provide a quality program integrating education, research and service in order to meet the needs of the profession and improve health care of the people and communities we serve.

Program Goals

1. Prepare the student to practice as an entry level professional Radiation Therapy by offering a comprehensive curriculum and quality didactic/clinical instruction.
   
   
2. Provide didactic and clinical experiences that lead to research in educational, professional, or health care issues relating to radiation therapy.
   
   
3. Provide avenues to students for professional development and growth within the profession.
   
   
4. Provide avenues for students to develop and apply skills in effective communication, analytical and critical thinking and problem-solving necessary for successful radiation therapy practice.
   
   
5. Provide a clinical and didactic environment which leads to the development of clinical skills and competence appropriate to an entry level Radiation Therapy.

What is Radiation Therapy?

Radiation Therapy is the use of high energy x-rays, gamma rays, or fast particles such as electrons or protons for the treatment of cancer. This treatment is provided to cure the patient or to relieve the painful symptoms of the disease (palliation). Small doses of radiation are given over a period of several days to add up to a large dose of radiation. The radiation is given in this manner so cancer cells will die from the injuries they encounter while normal tissues repair themselves in the time from one treatment to the next.

This specialty has a great deal of patient contact because you see these patients usually 15-40 different times over the course of their treatment.

How do I become a Radiation Therapist?

The Radiation Therapy Specialization option is offered during the 4th year of the Radiologic Sciences B.S. degree program (See course sequence). Upon completion of the Radiation Therapy curriculum the student will be prepared to challenge the national registry examination in Radiation Therapy offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

Eligibility for the Radiation Therapy Specialization

Individuals should be registered radiologic technologists. Preferred candidates have all core curriculum and senior institution requirements complete.

Number of Students

Due to clinical hour requirements and the number of clinical sites, a maximum of 20-25 students per year will be admitted. There will be 2 internship sites for these students, one for the spring clinical and one for the summer clinical.

Application

Applications should be received by January 1st of the year one plans to attend the program. Class selection will occur in February.

Class Location

Classes during the fall semester are held on the campus at SIUC in Carbondale, Illinois. During the spring and summer semesters students will attend distant cancer centers for their clinical training.

General Description of a Radiation Therapist

Radiation Therapists must be able to interact compassionately and effectively with people who range from healthy to terminally ill.

The professional responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Performing radiation therapy simulations (setting the patient up for daily treatments)
  
  
• Delivering the daily radiation treatments
  
  
• Evaluating and monitoring treatment delivery equipment
  
  
• Performing radiation dose calculations
  
  
• Working under supervision as a member of the medical team
  
  
• Providing high quality patient care
  
  
• Collaborating with physicians and other members of the health care team.
  
  

Technical Aspects of a Radiation Therapist

Radiation Therapists should be able to:

• Lift more than 50 pounds routinely
  
  
• Push and pull routinely
  
  
• Bend and stoop routinely
  
  
• Have full use of both hands, wrists, and shoulders
  
  
• Distinguish audible sounds
  
  
• Work standing on their feet 90% of the time
  
  
• Assist patients on and off treatment tables, carts and in and out of wheelchairs
  
  
• Communicate effectively with patients, patients' families, and other health care professionals
  
  
• Organize and accurately perform the individual steps in a radiation therapy procedure in the proper sequence
  
  

Career Opportunities

Radiation Therapists can choose to work in hospitals, physician clinics, or for technical companies within the industry. Career advancement opportunities exist in education, administration, research and commercial companies as education/application specialists, sales representatives, technical advisors, etc. The therapist can also pursue a career in medical dosimetry. This is the treatment planning and dose calculations specialty within radiation therapy. In addition to excellent career opportunities, salaries for radiation therapists are competitive with or higher than other professionals with similar levels of education.

Expenses

Tuition: Standard SIUC tuition and fees.
Textbooks and Lab Coat: Approximately $500
Living Expenses: Students must find housing on their own. This can vary greatly.

A Computer, Scanner, and High Speed Internet will be required for the spring and summer semesters.

RADIATION THERAPY SPECIALIZATION RADIOLOGIC SCIENCES BACHELOR OF SCIENCE PROGRAM COLLEGE OF APPLIED SCIENCES AND ARTS

Curriculum

FALL SEMESTER - SENIOR YEAR		SPRING SEMESTER - SENIOR YEAR
Course Semester Hours RAD 360-Fundamentals of Radiation Therapy  2 RAD 370-Tech and App of Radiotherapy 3 RAD 380-Physics of Radiotherapy 3 RAD 390-Oncologic Nursing   2 RAD 400-Dosimetry and Instrumentation  3  Total 13		Course Semester Hours RAD 410-Clinical Internship I 10 RAD 420-Special Problems 2   Total 12
SUMMER SEMESTER - SENIOR YEAR
Course Semester Hours RAD 430- Radiation Clinical Internship 4 RAD 440- Seminar in Radiation Therapy 2   Total 6

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