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Center for Curriculum and Transfer Articulation Not Found
Major: 5453
Effective Term: 2013 Fall   

Award: CCL  
Total Credits: 55
CIP Code: 51.0907
Instructional Council: Allied Health (51)
GPA: 2.50
SOC Code:


Description: The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Radiation Therapy program prepares participants for an entry level position as a Radiation Therapist to be members of the health care team using ionizing radiation in the treatment of cancer and some benign diseases. A primary responsibility in radiation therapy is the assessment of the patient prior to and during treatment to ensure quality of care. Attention to detail, accuracy, empathy for others, integrity and high ethical standards are essential characteristics in the field. In addition, knowledge of anatomy, physiology and physics is applied and utilized daily. Daily duties in radiation therapy include administering radiation treatments, treatment documentation, immobilization construction, dosage calculations, patient assessment, treatment planning and patient education.
The program includes didactic instruction and requires participation in a clinical internship to apply knowledge in a real life situation. Program graduates are eligible to apply to take the national certification exam offered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

Consumer Program Costs and Career Information

Suggested Course Plan Sequenced by Semester



Required Courses
+ DMI/DMS/ICE220 Sectional Anatomy 3
+ RTT101 Foundations in Radiation Therapy 2
+ RTT110 Radiation Therapy Patient Care 3
+ RTT115 Radiobiology for Radiation Therapy 2
+ RTT121 Radiation Therapy I: Physics and Calculations 3
+ RTT122 Radiation Therapy II: Physics and Calculations 3
+ RTT130 Clinical Internship I 5
+ RTT131 Clinical Internship II 5
+ RTT132 Clinical Internship III 5
+ RTT133 Internship Seminar I 2
+ RTT134 Internship Seminar II 2
+ RTT135 Internship Seminar III 2
+ RTT141 Dosimetry/Treatment Planning 3
+ RTT145 Radiation Oncology 4
+ RTT150 Clinical Radiation Therapy I 3
+ RTT151 Clinical Radiation Therapy II 2
+ RTT155 Professional Issues in Radiation Therapy 2
+ RTT156 Quality Control/Organizational Issues 2
+ RTT160 Seminar in Radiation Therapy 2

Credits: 55

Program Competencies
1. Evaluate treatment techniques that will reduce dose to the critical organs while achieving a tumorcidal dose. (DMI220, RTT131, RTT132, RTT145, RTT150, RTT151)
2. Identify the impact of any treatment parameter change to the tumor dose and monitor unit setting. (DMI220, RTT132, RTT145, RTT150, RTT151)
3. Evaluate a computer treatment plan for accuracy and ability to treat with equipment, accessories, beam modifiers available and patient condition. (DMI220, RTT132, RTT141)
4. Analyze all aspects of a treatment plan to determine accuracy. (DMI220, RTT150, RTT151)
5. Summarize the role of each major cancer treatment modality. (RTT101, RTT145)
6. Evaluate a radiation therapy treatment plan for any given treatment site. (RTT101, RTT135, RTT122, RTT141, RTT145, RTT151)
7. Develop a self-care plan to include personal care, professional development and continuing education. (RTT101, RTT110, RTT160)
8. Determine changes to the radiation therapy prescription when combined with surgery and/or chemotherapy. (RTT101, RTT115, RTT132, RTT133, RTT145)
9. Evaluate the patients` reaction to the radiation to determine course of treatment. (RTT110, RTT134, RTT145, RTT150, RTT151)
10. Develop a patient educational program based on a site specific treatment. (RTT110, RTT122, RTT141, RTT151)
11. Develop a nutritional plan based on a site specific treatment. (RTT110, RTT122, RTT141, RTT151)
12. Determine the appropriate course of action based on information gathered during patient assessment. (RTT110, RTT145, RTT130, RTT131, RTT132, RTT150, RTT151)
13. Assess patients` behavior, verbal and non-verbal cues to provide appropriate education, referrals and support. (RTT110, RTT130, RTT131, RTT132)
14. Evaluate a radiation therapy treatment prescription to assess expected side effects for patient education. (RTT115, RTT145)
15. Perform calculations based on prescription, machine and treatment parameters. (RTT121, RTT122, RTT131, RTT132, RTT134)
16. Apply radiation protection in everyday practice to reduce exposure to self, patients and colleagues. (RTT122, RTT130, RTT131, RTT132)
17. Perform radiotherapy equipment operation safely and accurately. (RTT130, RTT131, RTT132, RTT135, RTT150)
18. Demonstrate the attitudes and behaviors of a professional. (RTT130, RTT131, RTT132, RTT155, RTT160)
19. Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving for any given clinical scenario. (RTT130, RTT131, RTT132, RTT133, RTT134, RTT135, RTT155, RTT160)
20. Perform the duties of a radiation therapist with accuracy, efficiency and professionalism. (RTT130, RTT131, RTT132, RTT160)
21. Given a clinical scenario, evaluate an appropriate treatment plan. (RTT132, RTT145, RTT150, RTT151)
22. For any given clinical situation, identify billing codes. (RTT135, RTT156)
23. Construct appropriate beam modifiers, treatment and positioning aides and immobilization devices. (RTT150, RTT151)
24. Summarize the function of the accrediting and regulatory agencies. (RTT155, RTT156)
25. Evaluate data from quality assurance tests to determine treatment machine and equipment safety and accuracy. (RTT156)

+ indicates course has prerequisites and/or corequisites.
++ indicates that any suffixed course may be selected.
MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: April 23, 2013

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.





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