Radiation Therapy

Radiation Therapy utilizes ionizing radiation in a strictly controlled environment to treat disease, primarily cancer. High-energy x-ray, gamma, proton 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

This program curriculum includes patient care, pathology and treatment principles, radiation physics, radiation biology and safety, and ethics. Clinical practice and supplemental instruction are provided at the affiliated clinical sites. Upon successful completion of this program, graduates are eligible to take the national registry examination given by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

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WHY CHOOSE THE RADIATION THERAPY PROGRAM?
Radiation Therapy offers students interested in a health career the possibility to work in a compassionate environment while providing direct patient care using state-of-the-art treatment techniques and equipment.

SAMPLE CAREERS IN THIS FIELD
Radiation Therapist

DEGREES AVAILABLE
Associate of Science, short-term Certificate. NOTE: The number of credits required for a degree or certification is based on students who are program-ready and does not include non-academic skills courses. Availability of degrees varies by campus. Contact your campus of interest below for more information.

CERTIFICATE: PROTON THERAPY SPECIALIST
(16 credit hours)

Short-term certificates are sequences of technical and professional courses that are industry focused and designed for workforce preparation. They provide access to targeted, short-term training in a discipline, and completers may sit for specific certification exams. Courses in certificate programs also apply toward technical certificates and associate degree programs in the subject area.

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN RADIATION THERAPY
(Minimum of 70 credit hours)

The Associate of Science degree prepares you for transfer to a university to pursue a baccalaureate degree. The Associate of Science degree in Business Administration transfers to some Indiana public and private colleges and universities.

To find out information about your transfer options to public and private universities, contact your academic advisor or the transfer office of your local Ivy Tech. You are also encouraged to contact the institution and consult the current catalog and web page of the institution to which you wish to transfer.