Program Overview

- Radiation Therapy Program
- Radiation Therapist Duties
- Program Faculty
- Prerequisite Requirements
- Physical Requirements
- Graduation Requirements
- Programmatic Accreditation

Radiation Therapy Program
The 18-month continuous Radiation Therapy program provides didactic and clinical education for potential Radiation Therapists. Clinical practice occurs at our partnering medical centers and oncology clinics in Northern California . Participants of the program can expect substantial off-campus study and preparation for program courses. Major holidays are observed and break periods are observed between academic quarters. Annual academic calendars are published in advance. Program graduates are eligible to sit for the National Radiation Therapy Registry examination.

Radiation Therapist Duties
Radiation Therapy utilizes ionizing radiation in a strictly controlled environment to treat disease, primarily cancer. High energy x-rays, gamma rays, and electron beams are common forms of ionizing radiation used. Ionizing radiation can be administered using external beam therapy or by placing a radioactive material directly into a body tissue or cavity. The ultimate goal of radiation therapy is to destroy all abnormal cells while sparing the surrounding normal tissue.

Radiation Therapists are part of a multi-disciplinary cancer management team. They are responsible for accurately positioning the patient for treatment, equipment operation, quality assurance, and calculating radiation dose to be delivered. Radiation Therapists also have considerable responsibility for providing competent, concerned patient care. The therapist monitors patients throughout treatment, which often lasts several weeks.

Program Faculty

Program Director:	Roma-Dakini Alexander, B.S., (R) (T) (F) C.R.T
Faculty:	Bert C. Christensen, R.T. (R) (T), C.R.T

Prerequisite Requirements
All prerequisite requirements must be completed prior to applying to the program.

All applicants must be a graduate of an 18-24 month accredited Allied Health Degree Program with current registration. Allied Health Occupations include, but are not limited to, Radiologic Technologist, Sonographers, Certified Medical Technologist, and Registered Nurses.

- OR -

Applicants may complete a minimum 60 college credits with a cumulative minimum grade point average of 2.75 at the time of application.

all applicants must complete the following college-level courses with a grade of “C” or better:

• General Physics (3 Units)
• Human Anatomy & Physiology with a Lab
• College Algebra (3 Units-One level above intermediate Algebra)
• English Composition
• Verbal Communication
• Medical Terminology

 The following courses are suggested:

• Computer Science
• Ethics
• Pathology

All foreign diplomas and transcripts must include a notarized translation in English and must be evaluated by a Foreign Transcript agency prior to submission.

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• Stand and/or walk up to 6½ hours throughout an 8-hour shift.
• Lift and move a maximum of a 290-pound patient in a 2-person/3-person transfer.
• Must be able to operate and manipulate all radiation therapy equipment.
• Reach forward 18 inches holding an object up to 15 pounds.
• Bend, crouch, or stoop 20 times per hour.
• Push a patient in a wheelchair or gurney 300 feet or further, as required by structural design of the building.
• Move loads of up to 45 pounds 25 times per hour.

Graduation Requirements
To graduate with a certificate of completion from any of the KPSAHS programs, students are required to successfully complete all didactic and clinical education courses and hours, including co-requisites if applicable. In addition, all financial obligations to the program must be fulfilled.

Programmatic Accreditation
The Radiation Therapy program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).