The Radiation Therapy Option is designed for those individuals who wish to pursue a professional preparation program leading to membership in the health care team utilizing ionizing radiation in the treatment of malignant disease. The program is competency based and integrates didactic courses and clinical experience to prepare entry level radiation therapists to become integral partners in the health care team and contributing members of the profession. On a daily basis, the registered radiation therapist is involved in:

1. Operating sophisticated radiotherapeutic equipment to deliver prescribed doses of ionizing radiation for treatment of malignant disease.

2. Providing psychological and emotional support to patients who are dealing with the stress of their illness.


3. Observing patients' progress and recognizing medical problems which require physician attention.

4. Assisting with the planning of patient treatments through the use of simulation and computer assisted computations.

5. Constructing devices to aid in treatment positioning, beam modification, and treatment planning. Successful completion of Option requirements qualifies the student to sit for the examinations for licensure at the state and national levels to practice as a registered radiation therapist.

The program is accredited by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation of the Medical Association in cooperation with the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology as well as the State of California, Department of Health Services, Radiologic Health Branch.

Requirements for the Option in Radiation Therapy

Preprofessional

During the preprofessional component of the Radiation Therapy Option, the student completes all of the general education requirements of the University as well as the following prerequisite courses: A/P 202, 207, PHYS 100A,B, MATH 112, PSY 100, ENGL 200, BIOL 200, C/ST 200, H/SC 200; one course selected from the following PSY 150, ANTH 150, SOC 135. The student will also schedule an appointment for consultation with Radiation Therapy Career Advisement Committee the semester before entry into the professional preparation program.

Professional
The professional component is designed so that students enter in the spring semester each year and in a lock-step manner complete the remaining didactic and clinical courses. In order to complete the professional preparation component of the Option, students must fulfill the following requirements:
1. Obtain personal malpractice insurance.
2. Maintain full-time student status during the professional program.
3. Complete one designated session (6 weeks), each summer in the clinical setting.
4. Complete all of the following Upper Division courses in sequence with a grade of "C" or better: H/SC 150, 321, 320, 330, 340, 403, 415, 429, 435, 445A, 445B, 450, 451, 460, 470A, 470B, 475, 475L, 480, 492A, 492B.


Effective: Spring 1992