Radiation Therapy Technology — BS

Program director
Carol A. L. Davis

Clinical coordinator
Noriece Kisinger

Radiation therapy, or radiation oncology, is the medical use of ionizing radiation to treat cancer and control malignant cell growth. Radiation therapy is commonly combined with other modes of treatment for cancer, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and hormone therapy. Radiation therapists should be able to think critically, be proficient with computers, and able to work with a treatment team. Patient care and empathy are also important assets. The program is intended for radiographers or other allied health, patient-centered professionals who seek additional specialization, or for non-ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) students who meet the prerequisites and would like to complete a bachelor's degree in radiation therapy. 

Mission

The mission of the Bachelor of Science degree in radiation therapy is to prepare professionals in the field of radiation therapy who have received broad education and training in all aspects of the profession. This will include critical thinking, clinical competence, effective communication, and professionalism as they apply to the field of radiation therapy. The program encourages intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual development by emphasizing these in its curriculum—all of which reflect the motto of Loma Linda University Health, "To Make Man Whole."

Program goals

By the end of this program, the graduate should be able to: 

1. Demonstrate critical thinking. 
2. Be clinically competent. 
3. Demonstrate effective verbal communication skills.
4. Demonstrate effective written communication skills. 
5. Demonstrate professionalism. 
6. Demonstrate ability to perform quantitative reasoning.  

Program learning outcomes

By the end of this program, the graduate should be able to:

1. Optimize daily treatment images to ensure their congruence with the treatment-planning CT.
2. Apply oncology theory to understanding patient case histories and treatment plans. 
3. Complete morning quality assurance tests and recognize when results are out of tolerance. 
4. Educate patients, and maximize their comfort and safety. 
5. Preform treatment sequences accurately. 
6. Verify treatment console data and track all variables on the screen. 
7. Treat all persons with respect as well as accept responsibility and accountability for actions. 
8. Demonstrate knowledge of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996. 
9. Accept responsibility and accountability for actions. 

CPR certification

Students are required to have current health-care provider adult, child, and infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification for all scheduled clinical experience. CPR certification must be completed at the American Heart Association health-care provider level and must be completed prior to beginning the program of study. Classes are available on campus at Life Support Education, University Arts building, 24887 Taylor Street, Suite 102.

The Radiation Therapy Technology Program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60606-2901; telephone: 312/704-5300; website: www.jrcert.org.

Admission is based on a selective process.  In addition to Loma Linda University and School of Allied Health Professions admissions requirements, the applicant must also complete the following requirements:

• Prerequisite courses as listed below.
• Complete the prerequisite requirements, or be a graduate of an accredited radiologic technology program who has completed the prerequisite requirements in conjunction with that program. 
• 24 hours of career observation in a radiation oncology department.
• G.P.A. of 3.0 or better, higher is more competitive.
• Admissions essay.
• Interview.

Prerequisite courses

Prerequisites are listed as they relate to general education domains. All courses must be completed at an accredited college or university prior to entering the program. Please note: C- grades are not transferable for credit.

Domain 1: Religion (8 quarter units)

(Completed during enrollment at LLU)

Domain 2: Arts and humanities (minimum 16 quarter units)

Units must be selected from at least three of the following content areas: civilization/history, art, literature, language, philosophy, religion, or general humanities electives. A minimum of 3 quarter units in an area is required to meet a "content area."

Domain 3: Scientific inquiry and quantitative reasoning (minimum 12 quarter units)

• College algebra (completed within five years with a minimum grade of B).
• Human anatomy and physiology with laboratory, complete sequence (two course minimum)
• Introductory physics at the college level (one quarter/semester)

Domain 4: Social sciences (minimum 12 quarter units)

• General psychology or developmental psychology.
• Select addition units from two of the following content areas: anthropology, economics, geography, political sciences, psychology, and sociology.
• The human diversity requirement is fulfilled in the portfolio core courses: RTCH 491 Portfolio I and RTCH 492 Portfolio II (approved by the University GE Committee).

Domain 5: Written and oral communication (minimum 9 quarter units)

• English composition, complete sequence that meets the baccalaureate degree requirements of a four-year college or university
• Other areas of study in communication may include courses in computer information systems, critical thinking, and public speaking.

Domain 6: Health and wellness (minimum 2 quarter units)

• A didactic course in health or nutrition (e.g., personal health, personal nutrition, population health, global health, and community nutrition) minimum of 2 units
• Physical education. Must include at least two separate physical activity courses totaling a minimum of one quarter units.

Other

• Medical terminology
• Radiation physics, radiation protection, principles of radiography, and patient care methods - available, as part of the program, for non-ARRT students the first Summer Quarter (ARRT students start Autumn Quarter).

Electives

Electives may be needed to meet the minimum requirements of 192 quarter units.  A maximum of 105 quarter units may be transferred from a community/junior college.

• ARRT-certified students will earn 89 units in the program. (prerequisite units required:  102 quarter/68 semester)
• non-ARRT-certified students will earn 103 units in the program. (prerequisite units required:  90 quarter/60 semester)

 Electives may be selected from the GE domains listed above. For more information regarding GE requirements for graduation, see LLU general education requirements.

ARRT certified students

¹

The CT sequence (RTSI 364, RTSI 367, RTSI 369) may be substituted with the CT sequence (RTMR 305 Introduction to Computed Tomography I, RTMR 306 Introduction to Computed Tomography II, and RTSI 307 Introduction to Computed Tomography Completion Course) completed by LLU's ASMR students.

²

Fulfills service learning requirement.

Non-ARRT certified students

¹

 May be substituted with another RELR course.

²

Fulfills service learning requirement.

A minimum grade of C (2.0) is required for all courses in this program.

Normal time to complete the program

Four (4) years — Based on full-time enrollment, a student who is a radiologic technologist (ARRT)  completes the LLU portion of the program in seven (7) quarters.  A student who is not a radiologic technologist (Non-ARRT) starts one quarter earlier and will complete in eight (8) quarters.