Radiation Therapy | Labouré College

A personal connection

Radiation therapists don't just treat cancer; they also provide critical compassion and support for patients who are working through fear and uncertainty in addition to their illness.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapists help one patient at a time fight cancer by administering radiation treatments.

These treatments can shrink or remove cancer cells by targeting specific cells with high-energy x-rays.

As a radiation therapy student, you:

Take arts and sciences courses in person or online, and professional courses in person
Experience hands-on learning at multiple clinical facilities during your program
Become part of an oncology team, having to master technical knowledge and also work with critically ill patients
Will be on your way to a career that is ranked as one of the most meaningful jobs in America by Payscale.com

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Challenging and rewarding

Over two years, you'll travel to several clinical affiliates, each with different types of patients and equipment, studying the principles of radiation and how they're applied to developing treatment plans. You'll also learn about radiation physics and math, and related medical fields.

Caring for patients with cancer

Treating and caring for patients with cancer is a challenge that demands both skill and compassion.

Because patient contact is a large part of radiation therapy practice, you'll also spend time studying ethics and emotional and psychological issues in healthcare.

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Radiation Therapy Stats

#6

is where radiation therapist ranks on Payscale.com's list of Most Meaningful Jobs in America

7%

projected growth in radiation therapy jobs between 2019 - 2029

$90k

average salary of a radiation therapist in Massachusetts

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“A cancer diagnosis is one of the most frightening and uncertain events in a patient’s life and radiation therapists are deeply involved in their treatment. Patients rely on radiation therapists’ expertise in radiation delivery, along with emotional and spiritual support to get them through this tough time in their lives.”

- Pauline E. Clancy, MS, RT(T), CAGS, Chairperson, Radiation Therapy

Radiation Therapy Testimonial

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Melissa, RTT ' 17

Melissa became interested in the cancer field when her uncle passed away from lymphoma. She chose Labouré because she liked the small class sizes and that her professors got to know her.

Student Stories

Courtney Keenan

Courtney Keenan, RTT '18

Personal connections

Courtney returned to school for Radiation Therapy after earning a bachelor's degree because she wanted to forge meaningful connections with her patients.

Stephanie Ledo

Stephanie Ledo, RTT '18

Making a difference

Stephanie was a working mom who left her career in the corporate world to become a radiation therapist.

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Radiation therapists work Monday through Friday, normal business hours and are exposed to a continuum of learning providing an exciting and challenging profession.

Qualifying for certification

Candidates for certification as a radiation therapist must comply with the rules of ethics contained in the ARRT standards of ethics. One issue addressed by the rules of ethics is the conviction of a crime, including a felony, a gross misdemeanor, or a misdemeanor with the sole exception of speeding and parking violations.

Individuals who have violated the rules of ethics may request a pre-application review of the violation in order to obtain a ruling of the impact on their eligibility for ARRT examination. Individuals are advised to submit this pre-application form before entry into a radiation therapy program. Applicants with a previous court record should make an appointment with the director of admissions and/or the chairperson of radiation therapy to review current information on ARRT requirements.

Program Accreditation, Mission, Goals, and Learning Outcomes

Program Accreditation

The Radiation Therapy program at Labouré College of Healthcare is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT). The program adheres to and follows all JRCERT standards of accreditation and is good standing. The standards of accreditation are:

Integrity
Resources
Curriculum and Academic Practices
Health and Safety
Assessment
Institutional/Programmatic Data

The program's Certificate of Accreditation with the most current accredited seal can be found hanging in the radiation therapy room, C307. The program's last accreditation site visit was in March 2017 and received the maximum accreditation period of 8 years.

More information regarding JRCERT can be found:

Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
312-704-5300
312-704-5304 (fax)
www.jrcert.org

Program Mission Statement

The Division of Radiation Therapy derives its mission from its sponsoring institution, Labouré College, a private Catholic institution offering associate of science degrees, program certificates, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

The mission of the Radiation Therapy Program is to educate students to become competent entry-level radiation therapists. The education provided both clinically and didactically, will prepare students to deliver quality care in a variety of healthcare settings and incorporate an understanding and appreciation for the professions diverse patient population.

The program strives to build upon sound principles in general education by preparing students to communicate effectively, develop critical thinking skills and apply ethical standards and values to the practice of radiation therapy.

Click here to download the Program Handbook.

Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

Program Goal 1: Students/graduates will demonstrate clinical competency skills of an entry-level radiation therapist.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students/graduates will demonstrate successful set-up and treatment of patients on linear accelerators
Students/graduates will demonstrate successful set-up, immobilization and accusation of CT scans on patients in the CT Simulator
Students/graduates will apply principles of radiation protection to clinical practice

Program Goal 2: Students/graduates will effectively communicate in all interactions in the classroom and clinical settings

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively with the patient, the patient’s family and all clinical personnel
Students will exhibit competent verbal and written communication skills

Program Goal 3: Students/graduates will demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will demonstrate appropriate critical thinking and problem solving skills in clinical situations
Students will demonstrate appropriate critical thinking and problem solving skills in didactic situations

Program Goal 4: Students/graduates will demonstrate professional growth and a desire for life-long learning

Student Learning Outcomes:

Students will demonstrate professionalism in all interactions within the clinical setting
Students will apply their professional obligations upon graduation
Graduates/alumni will continue their formal education

Program Effectiveness Data

Institution Name: Labouré College of Healthcare - 0780
Program type: Radiation Therapy
Degree type: Associate Degree

The following is the most current program effectiveness data. Our programmatic accreditation agency, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), defines and publishes this information. Click here to go directly to the JRCERT webpage.

Credentialing Examination: The number of students who pass, on the first attempt, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification examination, or an unrestricted state licensing examination, compared with the number of graduates who take the examination within six months of graduation. The five-year average benchmark established by the JRCERT is 75%.

Credentialing Examination Rate	number passed on 1st attempt divided by number attempted within 6 months of graduation
Year	Results
Year 1 - 2016	4 of 4 - 100%
Year 2 - 2017	4 of 6 - 67%
Year 3 - 2018	6 of 6 - 100%
Year 4 - 2019	6 of 8 - 75%
Year 5 - 2020	2 of 4 - 50%
Program 5-year Average	22 of 28 - 78.6%

Job Placement: The number of graduates employed in the radiologic sciences compared to the number of graduates actively seeking employment in the radiologic sciences within twelve months of graduating. The five-year average benchmark established by the JRCERT is 75%.

Job Placement Rate	number employed divided by number actively seeking employment within 12 months of graduation
Year	Results
Year 1 - 2016	4 of 4 - 100%
Year 2 - 2017	6 of 6 - 100%
Year 3 - 2018	6 of 6 - 100%
Year 4 - 2019	8 of 8 - 100%
Year 5 - 2020	6 of 6 - 100%
Program 5-year Average	30 of 30 - 100%

Program Completion: The number of students who complete the program within the stated program length. The annual benchmark established by the program is 75%.

Program Completion Rate	number graduated divided by number started the program
Year	Results
Year 1 - 2020	6 of 6 - 100%
Annual Completion Rate	100.0%

Request more information about this program

Download a program brochure immediately and receive an email from our Admissions team containing information about the admissions process, tuition, courses and more.