--

School of
» Allied Health Professions
» Arts & Sciences
» Business
» Education
» Nursing

» First Year Experience
» Curriculum Information
» Honors Program
» Global Opportunities
» Faculty Biographies

Graduate Programs
» Education
» Nursing
» Masters in Management

GMC
» Prospective Students
» Current Students
» Alumni
» Working Adults
» Parents
» Faculty & Staff




Radiation Therapy


2011 -2012 Radiation Therapy Students, please click here

            

Gwynedd-Mercy College offers both a twenty (20) month Certificate program in Radiation Therapy and a four-year Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy. The 20-month Certificate program is available for registered or registry eligible radiographers, who have graduated from a JRCERT* accredited program in radiography and who meet the admissions criteria of the Radiation Therapy program and the College, and who wish to pursue this profession.

The four-year Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy degree is for the high school or college transfer student who meets the admission criteria of the College and the Radiation Therapy Program. Applicants must be proficient in math and science with biology, algebra I & II and geometry, physics and/or chemistry required; trigonometry, recommended. Minimum acceptable grade is a C+.

Graduates of the 20-month Certificate program may choose the degree completion option and earn their Bachelor of Health Science degree. Graduates of both programs are eligible to apply to the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) to sit for the certifying examination in Radiation Therapy.

For information on Radiation Therapy Program contact Rose Troutman, Program Director at 267-448-1429 or e-mail at troutman.r@gmc.edu or for Admissions information contact Jakita Price, Senior Admissions Officer at 1- 800-Dial - GMC, ext. 511,  or e-mail at price.j@gmc.edu

MAJOR  

Co Requisites:  All students must complete these co requisite General Education requirements prior to enrollment in the Radiation Therapy Core Courses:

BIO 107             Anatomy &  Physiology I 3 credits
BIO 107L            Anatomy & Physiology I Lab 1 credit
BIO 108             Anatomy & Physiology II 3 credits
BIO 108L        Anatomy & Physiology II Lab 1 credit
ENG 101             College English 3 credits
COM 101            Public Speaking 3 credits
CIT 101              Intro to Desktop Computing 3 credits
MTH 142             Elementary Functions 3 credits

Prerequisites – 16 credits

All students must complete these 16 credits.  Radiographers transferring in to the program will have completed these in their radiography program

HS  100  Introduction to Allied Health 2 credits
RTS 100 Introduction to Radiation Therapy 3 credits
RTS 101 Orientation to Clinical Education I 2 credits
RTS 107 Principles of Medical Imaging & Rad. Positioning 3 credits
RTS 110 Orientation to Clinical Education II 3 credits
PHY 111 Physics for AH Sciences 3 credits

Radiation Therapy Core 53 (BS) credits

RTS 200* Radiation Biology 3 credits
RTS 202* Principles of Radiation Oncology Patient Care 2 credits
RTS 203* Principles of Technical RT 2 credits
RTS 204* Clinical Education I 3 credits
RTS 208* Tech Radiation Therapy I 3 credits
RTS 209* Clinical Oncology I 1 credit
RTS 303* Clinical Education II 3 credits
RTS 304* Tech Radiation Therapy II 3 credits
RTS 305* Clinical Oncology II 1 credit
RTS 306* Applied Radiation Physics I 3 credits
RTS 307* Principles of Medical Dosimetry 3 credits
RTS 308* Cross-Sectional Anatomy 2 credits
RTS 320* Clinical Education III 3 credits
RTS 400* Tech Radiation Therapy III 1 credit
RTS 402* Applied Radiation Physics II 3 credits
RTS 403* Clinical Education IV 3 credits
RTS 404* Advanced Medical Dosimetry 2 credits
RTS 406* TQM in Radiation Oncology 1 credit
RTS 407* Clinical Education V 4 credits
RTS 408* Applied Physics of Advanced Treat Tech 2 credits
RTS 410* Capstone Seminar in RT 2 credits
RTS 4000* Capstone Research Project 3 credits

Additional Courses - 9 credit                

  

HS 305 *Teaching in Health Profession       3 credits
HS 403 *Current Topics Healthcare      3 credits
HS 208 *Basic Pathophysiology          3 credits

  

General Education and Core Curriculum**

  1. Skills for Exploring – 6 credits for BS

  2. Exploring Society and Global Diversity – 12 credits for BS

  3. Exploring the Natural World, Mathematics and Technology – 14 credits for  BS

  4. Exploring the Spiritual World – 9 credits for BS

  5. Exploring the Arts and Imagination – 9 credits for BS

 

General Education Elective – 3 credits in either History, Sociology, Psychology, Art, Music

*Course requirements for the certificate program.

** Please contact Jakita Price, in the Office of Admissions, at 1- 800-Dial - GMC, ext. 511,  or price.j@gmc.edu for specific general education course requirements.

Credit Requirement
A minimum of 131 credits is required for this degree.


Grade Requirement
The minimum passing grade within the major is C (a grade of C- is not acceptable)

For detailed course descriptions click here.

*The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
  20 N. Walker Dr. Suite 2850
  Chicago, IL 60606-3182
  Tel: (312)704-5300, Fax: (312)704-5304, Web site: www.JRCERT.org
  email: mail@jrcert.org

For a detailed description on the Radiation Therapy program, click here

What is Radiation Therapy?

Radiation therapy is a highly specialized field in oncologic medicine. It is the use of high energy x-rays, radioactive materials and other sources of ionizing radiation in the treatment of disease, most commonly cancer. Sophisticated state-of-the-art equipment is utilized by skilled, professional therapists in conjunction with the radiation oncologist and radiation physicist to treat cancer.

Radiation therapy is a profession that is as challenging as it is rewarding. The radiation therapist professional is primarily responsible for the treatment of the cancer patient by administering the prescribed radiation treatment. Other procedures performed by the radiation therapist include simulation and dosimetry procedures; performing and assisting in various quality assurance procedures; participating in nursing and follow up care of the patient, assisting the radiation oncologist and physicist with other assigned procedures.

Mission and Goals

The mission of the Radiation Therapy Program is consistent with the mission of the College in that it offers a career-oriented program that prepares competent entry-level radiation therapists who provide empathetic patient-centered care.

Program Philosophy and Goals - Radiaton Therapy

Consistent with the Mission of Gwynedd-Mercy College, it is the goal of the Radiation Therapy Program to offer a career-oriented program that provides moral, social, intellectual, cultural and spiritual development of the individual.

We believe that it is necessary that our graduates not only view patients as whole persons requiring medical assistance but who will also support them with regard for the dignity of the individual.

In order to fulfill this belief and philosophy we offer a fully integrated curriculum that encourages interest in the humanities as well as theory and clinical experience in the current technology of radiation therapy.

Theory within the concentration is strengthened throughout the program with everyday practical experience that permits the individual to enter the job market immediately following graduation.

For those not graduating from the Bachelor of Science degree program, provision is made for continual updating of knowledge and experience through the Bachelor of Health Science Degree Programs.

Goals:

  1. Graduates will be competent entry level radiation therapists.

  2. Students will demonstrate critical thinking.

  3. Students will demonstrate effective communication skills.

  4. The students/graduates will demonstrate professionalism.

Learning Outcomes:

At the completion of the radiation therapy program, the students/graduates will demonstrate: 

  • Empathic patient centered care

  • Application of appropriate radiation safety principles

  • Accuracy in performing radiation therapy procedures

  • Effective oral and written communication skills

  • Appropriate critical thinking and problem solving skills

  • Appropriate professional behaviors


Career Opportunities


Employment opportunities in radiation therapy exist in hospital based and free standing cancer management centers throughout the U.S. Post-Graduate education affords the therapist the opportunity for career advancement in: dosimetry, administration, education, research and commercial medical equipment sales and training.

If you are a people person who likes to work with computers and large pieces of medical equipment and you have an aptitude for science and math, radiation therapy may be the profession for you.

Internet Resources

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
American Society of Radiologic Technologists
The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
Pennsylvania Chapter LambdaNu Honor Society

Renowned Program History


The GMC programs were established in 1975 (associate degree) and 1976 (Certificate program) respectively and were modeled after The Philadelphia School of Radiotherapeutic Technology which was the first radiation therapy program in the U.S. to be accredited by the A.M.A. Our program was the first accredited (JRCERT) Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy program in the Philadelphia area. Our 20-month Certificate Program is one of two JRCERT accredited programs in the Philadelphia area. This means that our program subscribes to following the STANDARDS and professional curriculum developed and approved by the professional community. Both our Bachelor of Science and Certificate programs recently were awarded the maximum eight-year accreditation by the JRCERT*.

The College has affiliation agreements with 30 cancer management centers (hospital-based and free-standing facilities) in PA & DE, which offer our students a well-rounded clinical education experience. All students have the opportunity to complete their clinical education in at least three of our affiliates.

To date we have graduated approximately 450 radiation therapists who are employed in approximately 25 states across the country and who hold a variety of positions that include: direct patient care; research; administration; education; industry.

*Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
  20 N. Walker Dr. Suite 2850
  Chicago, IL 60606-3182
  Tel: (312)704-5300, Fax: (312)704-5304, Web site: www.JRCERT.org