Radiation Therapy (RTT)

Radiation Therapy Program
University of Michigan Flint
2102 W. S. White Building
303 East Kearsley Street
Flint, MI 48502-1950

(810) 237-6502
FAX (810) 762-3003

www.umflint.edu/hsa/radiationtherapy

Director: Kelly Brown, BS, RT(T), ARRT
brownkel@umflint.edu

Secretaries: Karen Curtis (kkcurtis@umflint.edu)
Dianne Scrimger (dscrim@umflint.edu)

The Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy is a four-year, 130 credit, baccalaureate degree program. Upon successful completion of the program requirements, the graduate is eligible to take the Radiation Therapy Certification Examination given by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). 

The profession of Radiation Therapy involves the use of high-energy radiation in the treatment of disease, primarily cancer. Radiation therapy may be used alone or in combination with surgery and chemotherapy. As a team member, the radiation therapist administers radiation to the exact area of the patient's body as prescribed by a physician. Most patients are treated 5 days/week for several weeks which allows the therapist to develop a relationship with the patient. In addition, radiation therapists monitor the patient's progress while they are receiving radiation therapy, observe for signs of complications, and determine when treatment should be withheld until a physician is consulted. The radiation therapist is also a significant source of emotional support for most patients.

The structure of the Radiation Therapy program includes two years of general education requirements and pre-professional courses. The professional program begins in the Summer of the junior year and continues for 22 consecutive months through April of the senior year. The didactic classes in the junior year are taught on the University of Michigan-Flint campus. Didactic classes taught in the senior year, are held at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. The clinical practicum begins September of the junior year. Juniors attend clinic on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. Seniors attend Monday-Friday from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm in the Spring and Summer and in the Fall and Winter semester on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm. Students will never exceed forty hours of combined classroom and clinical time per week.  

    University of Michigan-Flint students applying to the program can obtain an application by contacting the Program Office, 2102 W.S. White Building or by visiting the Radiation Therapy Program website. The Radiation Therapy Program Director must receive completed applications, including all references, by May 1 of the calendar year of the intended Summer semester enrollment.  Students will be admitted in the Summer term only.  In order to be admitted to the program all general education courses must be successfully completed.  Students applying to the program who are not UM-Flint students at the time of application must also submit a completed UM-Flint application including any transfer transcripts, indicating "Radiation Therapy" as the proposed field of study.  Forms to apply for admission to the University are available from the Office of Admissions, from the Program Director, and also online at www.umflint.edu/admissions/applynow.htm 

The Radiation Therapy Program at UM-Flint is fully accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), 20 North Wacker Dr., Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60606-2901. (312) 704-5300.

Program mission

The mission of the Radiation Therapy program is to provide high-quality, professional radiation therapy education to undergraduate students by: preparing graduates in radiation therapy to meet the needs of society through theory-based radiation therapy practice; preparing graduates who have the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with respect for cultural and human diversity; maintaining a radiation therapy curriculum that reflects the interactive aspects of radiation therapy with the psychosocial behavioral, physical, and natural sciences; collaborating with local and regional institutions/organizations to provide access to professional radiation therapy education; promoting service and scholarly endeavors relating to health care needs of the community of Flint and Southeastern Michigan; promoting lifelong learning for graduates in Radiation Therapy.

Requirements for admission

A. Completion of all general education and pre-professional courses with no grade lower than a C as follows:

1. ENG 111and 112
2. MTH 111, 120, 121
3. CIS 128
4. PSY 100
5. SOC 100
6. 3 credits in fine arts
7. PHL 162 or 168
8. MTP 320
9. 3 credits in humanities
10. HCR 300 and 304 and 362

All of these courses may be taken at UM-Flint, or equivalent courses may be transferred from another accredited institution. In some instances specific courses may be waived in consultation with the Program Director.

Also required for admission into the program are:

1. BIO 167 and 168
2. PHY 143 and 145

Students must pass the above four courses with a minimum of a B–.

B. Student observation of 16-20 hours in the UMHS Radiation Therapy Department in Ann Arbor. All clinic observation experiences will be arranged through the Program Director.

C. Acceptance to the University of Michigan-Flint and completion of the program application.

D. Three references, one from an individual actively involved in the applicant's educational process, i.e., instructor, advisor, mentor; one from the current supervisor at the applicant's place of employment, and one from an individual commenting on the applicant's character.

E. Self-reported ability to perform all the following technical standards which, after admission, will be documented by a physician:

1. Have sufficient strength to assist patients in transferring from a wheelchair or cart to the treatment couch. This will involve lifting at times.
2. Have sufficient strength, coordination and dexterity to lift and position cerrobend blocks, electron cones and wedges up to 45 pounds to a height of 5'5".
3. Have sufficient visual acuity to set machine field size, set monitor units on the machines, align treatment fields in dimly lit room, place blocks, review radiographs, view port films and monitor patients on a close-circuit television during treatment.
4. Have sufficient auditory capability to hear warning bells in the treatment rooms and hospital fire alarms, as well as to monitor patients during treatment.
5. Be capable of effective and concise verbal communication with patients, their families and other health care workers.
6. Be physically, intellectually and emotionally able to respond to emergency situations, providing first aid, CPR and patient care until a physician or nurse arrives.
7. Be capable of handling stressful situations, making informed decisions and giving emotional support to patients and their families.
8. Be capable of understanding and applying clinical instructions given from departmental personnel.

Once admitted into the program the student must earn a minimum grade of a B- in all courses and the clinical practicum.

Department Mission and Program Assessment

The University of Michigan – Flint’s Radiation Therapy Program continues to be assessed as a quality program. The Program is continually reviewed and analyzed in order to provide students with the best possible education relating to Radiation Therapy. The Clinical Rotation component of the program remains the largest impact on student success. Nearly two years of clinical, hands-on experience enable the students to experience patient care while concurrently progressing in their classroom studies. The Radiation Therapy Advisory Committee will assess the program regularly and suggest areas for improvement. The program participates in the University-wide effort to assess its academic programs. Information on assessment plans, including goals, methods and outcomes are available at: www.umflint.edu/assessment/SHPS/radiationtherapy.htm.

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