Radiation Therapy

Radiation Therapy Program

Radiation Therapy (A.A.S.)

Radiation Therapy Technology A.A.S. – Radiologic Tech: Radiation Therapy Technology (A.A.S.) – The Radiation Therapy program is a two-year (four semesters and three summer sessions) program leading to the Associate in Applied Science degree. Radiation Therapy courses are offered during the day only. Students are admitted to the program during the Fall semester only. 

Radiation Therapists primarily treat cancer patients by applying ionizing radiation according to a Radiation Oncologist's prescription, using a variety of complex treatment techniques and equipment. The Radiation Therapy program combines technical and liberal arts courses given at Nassau Community College with off campus clinical education at various affiliated hospitals and free-standing cancer centers. Students will rotate to different clinical settings ranging throughout Manhattan, Queens, Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The program maintains a fully functional VERT lab (virtual simulation), a state-of-the-art reality training system in radiation therapy, and a physics lab for treatment planning.

An additional $50 per student OSHA training fee for each clinical rotation may apply. The Test for Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is required for all applicants.

To be eligible for admission to the Radiation Therapy Program, candidates must meet academic requirements and be 18 years of age by the start of the first day of the first semester. Students must be legally eligible for employment and licensure in the United States at the time of application and be of "good moral character" as defined by the New York State Department of Health, applicable to the profession of Radiation Therapy. An interview is required. Background checks and physicals, including drug testing, are required upon acceptance to the program and is at the cost of the student. Acceptance into the Radiation Therapy program is conditional, based upon the outcome of your background check and drug testing.

This program is accredited by the New York State Department of Health and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.

JRCERT
20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, Illinois 60606
(312) 704-5300 | Fax (312) 704-5304| mail@jrcert.org 

Opportunities for professional advancement at the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree level are available.

Program Effectiveness Data

jrcert.org

1. Five-Year Average Credentialing Examination First Time pass rate: 96%
   1. Reporting period: 2015-2019
   2. Sample size: 48 students took the examination/46 students passed the examination. 46/48 x 100= 96%
2. Five-Year Average SPD Employer Services rate: 100% 
   1. Reporting period: 2015-2019
   2. Sample size: 47 students applied for jobs/47 attained job placement. 47/47 x100= 100%

      One student did not actively seek employment in the field.

      The JRCERT has defined “not actively seeking employment” as:
      1) Graduate fails to communicate with program officials regarding employment status after multiple attempts OR
      2) Graduate is unwilling to seek employment that requires relocation OR
      3) Graduate is unwilling to accept employment due to salary or hours OR
      4) Graduate is on active military duty OR
      5) Graduate is continuing education.
3. Program Completion Rate: 90%
   1. Reporting period: the total number of students that began the program for classes that graduated between January 1, and December 31, 2019
   2. Sample size: 10 students started the program/9 students completed the program, 90%
      9/10 x 100= 90.0%

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Mission Statement

The Radiation Therapy Program is a component of the Allied Health Sciences Department at Nassau Community College. It is dedicated to providing low cost, high quality education to prepare graduates for positions as entry level radiation therapists who possess the necessary knowledge and skills to deliver prescribed treatments safely and competently.

In fulfillment of this Mission, the Radiation Therapy Program
at Nassau Community College upholds the following Goals:

Goal 1: Students will be Academically and Clinically competent Radiation Therapists.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students will demonstrate academic competency
  • Students will achieve a passing grade or better in each didactic course
• Students will demonstrate clinical competency
  • Students will complete all required participatory and competency logs
  • Students will complete all Advanced Skill Modules requiring specific tasks
  • Students will utilize Radiation Safety for patients, self, and all staff
  • Students will complete all ARRT clinical competency requirements
  • Students will satisfactorily complete Clinical Final Exam

Goal 2: Students will exhibit Professionalism as members of the healthcare team including ethical, compassionate and culturally competent patient care, and demonstrate the pursuit of Lifelong Learning.

Student learning Outcomes:

• Students will demonstrate culturally competent patient care, and sensitivity and awareness of each patient's individual values
  • Students will demonstrate understanding of Professionalism, cultural competency and global diversity in the academic setting
  • Students will demonstrate Professionalism in the clinical setting evidenced in monthly Behavioral Skills evaluations
• Students will understand the value of Lifelong Learning
  • Graduates will demonstrate a commitment to Lifelong Learning
  • Graduates will maintain registered Radiation Therapist status

Goal 3: Students will demonstrate effective Critical Thinking Skills necessary to become Radiation Therapists that function independently within their scope of practice.

Student learning Outcomes:

• Students will demonstrate Critical Thinking Skills
  • Students will demonstrate correct interpretation and application of patient treatment plans
  • Students will recognize discrepancies and errors in VERT Logs
  • Students will demonstrate timely and appropriate radiation safety skills and precautions
  • Students will successfully complete Physics Rotation.

Goal 4: Students will demonstrate the communication skills necessary for proper job performance.

Student learning Outcomes:

• Students will demonstrate competent oral communication skills
  • Student will complete oral presentations
• Students will demonstrate competent written communication skills
  • Students will complete an APA research paper
• Students will communicate effectively with patients, therapists, physicians and support staff
  • Students will independently complete Module 2, Patient Assessment

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The program is designed to provide academic and clinical education which will prepare the graduate to assume the duties of an entry level Radiation Therapist including the ability to: 

• Understand and operate various imaging and treatment equipment
• Explain all procedures to the patient
• Execute accurate positioning of patients using proper immobilization devices
• Accurately deliver prescribed treatments using various forms of ionizing radiation 
• Maintain detailed medical records
• Ensure radiation safety protocols are followed for patient, self, and staff
• Schedule patients and confirm accurate billing codes
• Observe and appropriately report individual patient needs and treatment side effects

Graduates are eligible to apply for the examination given by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists to become Registered Radiation Therapists and obtain New York State Licensure. 

Per U.S. Federal Regulations, §668.43 (2019 Rule), and in compliance with the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) Manual version 19.2,  Nassau Community College provides the following disclosure related to the educational requirements for professional licensure and certification. 

This Disclosure is strictly limited to Nassau Community College’s determination of whether its educational program, Associate Degree in Applied Science, Radiation Therapy Technology that if successfully completed, would be sufficient to meet the educational licensure or certification requirements in a State for a Licensed Radiologic Technologist.  The Radiation Therapy Technology Program cannot provide verification of an individual’s ability to meet licensure or certification requirements unrelated to its educational programming.  Such individual determinations are made by state licensing boards and are fact-specific determinations.

This disclosure does not provide any guarantee that any particular state licensure or certification entity will approve or deny your application. Furthermore, this disclosure does not account for changes in state law or regulation that may affect your application for licensure and occur after this disclosure has been made. Enrolled students and prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact their State’s licensure entity using the links provided to review all licensure and certification requirements imposed by their state(s) of choice.

Successful completion of the Radiation Therapy Program at Nassau Community College will allow the individual to sit for the ARRT exam for certification and registration as a Radiologic Technologist (Therapy) and apply for a New York State license.

Most states have licensing laws covering the practice of radiologic technology. In those states, you must obtain a state license before you can work as a radiologic technologist. Some—but not all—states require you to be certified and registered through ARRT before you can obtain a state license. Earning an ARRT credential doesn’t necessarily mean you are eligible to work in a particular state, applying for licensure may be necessary. Many states use ARRT credentials when making licensing decisions. 

Nassau Community College has designed an educational program curriculum for an Associate Degree in Applied Science; Radiation Therapy Technology that if successfully completed is sufficient to meet the licensure and certification requirements for an advanced practice license in the following states:

After making all reasonable efforts, SUNY cannot determine whether its educational program curriculum for an Associate Degree in Applied Science, Radiation Therapy Technology, if successfully completed, is sufficient to meet the licensure and certification requirements for Licensure as a Radiologic Technologist in other states.