Radiation therapists are vital members of the healthcare team in the radiation oncology department who use high-energy x-rays to treat diseases, primarily cancer, by targeting radiation at abnormal cells while minimizing side effects. They're involved in assessing the physical and emotional needs of patients and making the appropriate referrals as well as administering, monitoring and documenting the prescribed course of treatment for the radiation oncologist. This unique profession combines technical and interpersonal skills and offers many career possibilities including management, dosimetry, education, applications specialist, sales and technology-related fields.
Radiation Therapy at CT State is a full-time associate degree program combining classroom and clinical education to prepare you for employment as an entry-level radiation therapist in hospitals and cancer centers. Upon completion of this program, you'll be eligible to take the national certifying examination in radiation therapy as administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
Selective Admissions
Radiation Therapy is a selective admissions program. To be accepted, you must meet additional requirements beyond general acceptance to the college.
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Related Programs
Articulation Agreements
The Radiation Therapy program has articulation agreements with Charter Oak College and the University of Hartford, so students can pursue a bachelor’s degree after graduating from this program.
Learn More About Your Campus Program
The Radiation Therapy program curriculum, accreditation, and learning outcomes vary by campus. Each campus differentiates course offerings and sequencing to some degree based on clinical capacity, student enrollment and Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) approval.
Learn more about each program below.
Curriculum
Contact
Gina Finn
Program Coordinator
Phone: 203-285-2392
Email: gina.finn@ctstate.edu
Important Information
Mission Statement
The mission of the Radiation Therapy Programs is to provide a learner centered Joint Review Committee on Education on Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) accredited educational program that will render qualified and compassionate radiation therapists for the community.
Program Curriculum
The Radiation Therapy Program students meet on campus for most classes. The following program classes are offered either in a hybrid format or online: RADT 1001,1002, 2020, 2222, 2001, 2021, 2032, 2002, 2090 and RST 2000.
The structure of the curriculum is such that courses are offered in sequence and progress in complexity. It offers appropriate didactic content and ample supervised clinical education to assure sufficient opportunity to achieve all didactic and clinical requirements established by the ARRT.
Clinical Curriculum
The structure of the curriculum is such that courses are offered in sequence and progress in complexity. It offers appropriate didactic content and ample supervised clinical education to ensure sufficient opportunity to achieve all didactic and clinical requirements established by the ARRT.
Gateway Campus Clinical instruction will take place at the following sites:
- Yale-New Haven Hospital Smilow Cancer Hospital, New Haven, CT
- McGivney Cancer Care at Yale-New Haven Hospital Hamden Campus, Hamden, CT; Yale-New Haven Hospital
- Shoreline Medical Center Guilford, Guilford, CT
- Danbury Hospital, Danbury, CT
- Bridgeport Hospital-Norma F. Pfriem Cancer Institute, Trumbull, CT
- Lawrence and Memorial Hospital, Waterford, CT
- Greenwich Hospital, Greenwich, CT
- Stamford Hospital, Stamford CT
Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes
Goal 1. Students will demonstrate effective communication.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will evaluate and assess daily the physiological and psychological responsiveness of each patient prior to treatment delivery utilizing effective oral communication.
- Students will evaluate and assess daily the physiological and psychological responsiveness of each patient prior to treatment delivery utilizing effective written communication.
Goal 2. Students will demonstrate critical thinking.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will demonstrate the ability to evaluate and assess treatment delivery components to perform proper treatment procedures.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to assess disease-specific information and outcomes of the specific cancer.
Goal 3. Students will exhibit ethical and professional behaviors appropriate for a healthcare professional.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Evaluate and assess treatment delivery components within a healthcare team.
- Maintain values congruent with the professional code of ethics and scope of practice while adhering to national, institutional and/or departmental standards, policies and procedures regarding treatment delivery and patient care.
Goal 4. Students will demonstrate specific skills necessary to be competent entry-level Radiation Therapy professionals.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Students will apply the principles and practices of radiation protection.
- Students will demonstrate basic simulation skills.
Accreditation
The Gateway 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; mail@jrcert.org.
The program’s current award is 8 years and the next review is in 2030. General program accreditation information and the current accreditation award letter can be found here.
Program Effectiveness Data
Curriculum
Contact
Nora Uricchio, M.Ed., R.T.,
Program Coordinator, Radiologic Sciences: Radiation Therapy Program
Phone: 860-512-2730
Email: nora.uricchio@ctstate.edu
Important Information
Mission
The mission of the Radiation Therapy Program is to provide an academically rigorous and innovative learner centered JRCERT accredited educational program that will render qualified and compassionate radiation therapists for the community.
Goals
Goal/Outcome 1: Students will demonstrate critical thinking.
- Students will accurately perform new patient set-ups.
- Students will create and develop a treatment plan
Goal/Outcome 2: Students will demonstrate effective communication skills.
- Students will utilize appropriate communication skills in the clinical setting.
- Students will demonstrate effective written communication.
- Students will demonstrate effective oral communication.
Goal/Outcome 3: Students will exhibit ethical and professional behaviors appropriate of a health care professional.
- Students will display professionalism in the clinical setting.
- Students demonstrate professional growth through participation in continuing education.
Goal 4: Students will demonstrate specific skills necessary to be competent entry level Radiation Therapy Professionals.
- Students will accurately perform all treatment procedures.
- Students will demonstrate basic simulation skills.
Clinical Curriculum
The structure of the curriculum is such that courses are offered in sequence and progress in complexity. It offers appropriate didactic content and ample supervised clinical education to ensure sufficient opportunity to achieve all didactic and clinical requirements established by the ARRT.
Manchester Campus Clinical Instruction will take place at the following sites:
- Backus Hospital, Norwich, CT (37 miles)
- Hartford Hospital Radiation Oncology Department, Hartford, CT (8 miles)
- Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Center, Avon, CT (23 miles)
- Hospital of Central Connecticut, New Britain, CT (20 miles)
- DeQuattro Community Cancer Care, Manchester, CT (3 miles)
- Middlesex Memorial Hospital, Middlesex, CT (23 miles)
- Mid-State Medical Center Radiation Oncology Department, Meriden, CT (25 miles)
- UConn Health Center - John Dempsey Hospital, Farmington, CT (15.5 miles)
- St. Francis Care, Hartford, CT (8 miles)
- Enfield Cancer Center, Enfield, CT (26 miles)
- St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Bridgeport, CT (51 miles)
- Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT (47 miles)
- Lawrence & Memorial Cancer Center, Waterford, CT (41 miles)
- Smilow Cancer Hospital Hamden, Hamden, CT (40 miles)
- Smilow Cancer Hospital Trumbull, Trumbull, CT (62 miles)
Note: Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from class and clinical assignments.
Accreditation
The Manchester 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; mail@jrcert.org.
The program’s current award is 8 years. General program accreditation information and the current accreditation award letter can be found here.
Program Effectiveness Data
*The Radiation Therapy program has articulation agreements with Charter Oak College and the University of Hartford, where students can pursue a bachelor’s degree after graduating from this program.