The educational program in radiation therapy accepts students every other year (odd years).

Description of the Profession

Radiation therapy involves the use of different forms of ionizing radiation for the treatment of benign and malignant tumors. Radiation therapists administer the prescribed dose of ionizing radiation to specific sites of the patient's body as directed by the physician. They operate varied types of equipment, including high energy linear accelerators, and work with radioactive materials. In addition, radiation therapists observe the clinical progress of the patient undergoing radiation therapy.

Program Goals and Learning Outcomes

The Radiation Therapy Program has set forth the following goals and learning outcomes:

Goal 1: Students will demonstrate clinical competence.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be competent in positioning patients.
• Students will accurately perform technical aspects of treatment delivery.
• Students will practice radiation protection.

Goal 2: Students will demonstrate effective communication skills.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students will demonstrate oral communication skills.
• Students will demonstrate written communication skills.

Goal 3: Students will demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students will be able to adapt to non-routine situations.
• Students will establish resolution and rationale for challenging circumstances that they may encounter.

Goal 4: Students will demonstrate professional values.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students will demonstrate appropriate professional values in the clinical setting.
• Students will detail the ethical obligations described in the ARRT Code of Ethics.

Goal 5: Students will be involved in professional continuing education activities to instill a desire for lifelong learning.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students participate in professional continuing education activities.

Goal 6: Students will be involved in the community we serve.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Student will participate in community service activities.

Goal 7: The program will provide the medical community with individuals qualified to perform radiation therapy procedures.

Program Effectiveness Measures:

• Graduates will pass the ARRT exam on first attempt.
• Graduate will express confidence in the overall quality of their skills.
• Employers will express confidence in the overall quality of the graduate’s skills.
• Of those pursuing employment, graduates will be gainfully employed within 6 months post-graduation
• Students will successfully complete the program in the two year time frame.

Assessment data for the Radiation Therapy Program’s Effective Measures described in Goal #7 are available for review by way of a link on the IUN website at http://www.iun.edu/radiologic-sciences/degrees/bs-radiation-therapy.htm.

Graduates of the Program

The Radiation Therapy Program is designed to prepare graduates to meet the scope of practice standards for radiation therapy. Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the radiation therapy certification examination given by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). Having successfully passed this exam, certificate holders are classified as registered radiation therapists, R.T.(T) (ARRT).State certification is required to operate radiation therapy equipment. The state accepts the ARRT Registry for certification. 

Length of the Program

The radiation therapy program is a four-year baccalaureate degree program composed of 52 credit hours of prerequisite and general education requirements and a professional core in the junior and senior years of 68 credit hours.

Design of the Professional Curriculum

The curriculum follows a pattern that trains the student to become skilled in the performance of radiation therapy procedures. Courses in radiologic principles, technical courses in radiation therapy, clinical application of theory, and general education are included in the curriculum. Lectures, lab, and clinical experienecs are integrated throughout the program.

Structure of the Professional program

Classes are held during the day. Clinical experience is scheduled in cooperation with the clinical site with experience during normal daytime hours.

Opportunity for Students to Work

Students may find full-time employment during the professional program difficult. 

Description of Facilities

The Radiation Therapy Program offices and classrooms are located in the Dunes Medical/ Professional Building at IU Northwest. Clinical experiences have been planned in local hospitals, including the Community Hospital in Munster; Ingalls Hospital in Harvey, Illinois; Memorial Hospital in South Bend; Methodist Hospital of Gary, Inc., in Merrillville; Michiana Hematology Oncology, PC in Mishawaka and Westville, Franciscan St. James Health in Olympia Fields, IL; and Franciscan St. Margaret Health in Hammond, and Dyer. The Michiana Hematology Oncology PC, Mishawaka clinical site is approximately 75 miles from campus.

Accreditation

The Radiation Therapy Program is approved by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), 20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850, Chicago, IL 60606-3182; phone (312) 704-5300; www.jrcert.org.

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Curriculum