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.

The radiation therapy program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.

20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850 
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
 312.704.5300 
Email: mail@jrcert.org

The program’s current award is 5 years. General program accreditation information and the current accreditation award letter can be found here: Nassau Community College - JRCERT.

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

Program Effectiveness Data

jrcert.org

Program Effectiveness Form

---

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

• Students demonstrate ACADEMIC COMPETENCY
• Students pass the ARRT national Registry credentialing exam
• Student program wide completion of required didactic courses
• Students demonstrate CLINICAL COMPETENCY
• Student completion of required Clinical Competency Logs
• Student completion of Advanced Skills Modules
• Student completion of final Clinical Course in program
• Students practice Radiation Safety skills with patients, staff, and self

GOAL 2: Students will exhibit PROFESSIONALISM as members of the healthcare team including ethical, compassionate, and culturally competent patient care; and pursue Lifelong Learning.

• Students exhibit Professionalism by clinical demonstration of culturally competent patient care 
• Student monthly Behavioral Skills evaluations verify competency
• Students understand the principles of Cultural Competency and Global Diversity as they  apply to patient care
• Students will understand the value of Lifelong Learning
• Graduates maintain Registered Radiation Therapist status

GOAL 3: Students will demonstrate effective CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS necessary to become Radiation Therapists who function independently within their scope of practice.

• Students demonstrate correct interpretation and application of patient treatment plans
• Successful completion of Module I, Interpretation of Treatment Plans/Instructions
• Students successfully complete senior summer rotations: VERT Lab and Physics
• Successful completion of senior summer VERT rotation
• Successful completion of senior summer Physics Rotation

GOAL 4: Students will demonstrate the COMMUNICATION SKILLS necessary for proper job performance as a Radiation Therapist.

• Students demonstrate competent Oral Communication skills
• Successful student group oral Patient Case Presentations
• Students demonstrate competent written communication skills
• Submission and receipt of passing grade on Student Research Paper

---

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.