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
http://www.umflint.edu/hcr/rtp/index.php
Director: Michele R. Fortner
Secretary : Dianne Scrimger
The Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy is a four-year, 141
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.
In order to effectively treat the patients, various types of equipment
are utilized, such as high-energy linear accelerators. 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 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 9-4.
Seniors attend Monday-Friday from 7:00am to 4:00pm in the Spring
and Summer and in the Fall and Winter semester on Mondays, Wednesdays
and Fridays from 7:00am to 4:00pm. All students are required to
do one week on the early shift to learn quality assurance procedures
in RTT 403, 404 and 405. 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. The Radiation Therapy Program
Director must receive completed applications, including all references,
by March 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.flint.umich.edu .
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 Statement
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:
- ENG 111and 112
- COM 281 or 284
- CHM 140 or CHM 150
- MTH 111and 120
- CIS 128
- PSY 100
- SOC 100
- A Fine arts course.
- PHL 162 or 168
- MTP 320 or 321
- A Values inquiry/humanities course
- HCR 120 or 119
- HCR 300 and 304 and 362.
All of these courses may be taken at UM-Flint, or equivalent courses
with a minimum of a C 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:
- BIO 167 and 168;
- 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 a Radiation Therapy Department.
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:
- Have sufficient strength to assist patients in transferring
from a wheelchair or cart to the treatment couch. This will involve
lifting at times.
- 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".
- 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.
- Have sufficient auditory capability to hear warning bells in
the treatment rooms and hospital fire alarms, as well as to monitor
patients during treatment.
- Be capable of effective and concise verbal communication with
patients, their families and other health care workers.
- Be physically, intellectually and emotionally able to respond
to emergency situations, providing first aid, CPR and patient
care until a physician or nurse arrives.
- Be capable of handling stressful situations, making informed
decisions and giving emotional support to patients and their families.
- 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 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. 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 http://assessment.umflint.edu/.
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