The Program for Radiation Therapists has adopted the following set technical standards. It is the faculty’s belief that a person who wishes to successfully complete the program must meet these minimum guidelines. Therefore, a copy of these standards is given and explained to each applicant interviewed by the Admissions Committee.Candidate’s eligible for the Radiation Therapist’s Program must be able to meet the following technical standards. These standards enumerate the skills necessary for successful completion of the program and subsequent employment as a Radiation Therapist.

Mental Requirements: (also assessed through past academic performance)

Concentration-Candidate should be able to concentrate for long periods. Examples include test taking and participation in extended treatment procedures.

Attention Span-Candidate should be able to attend to a task for an extended period. Examples include attending lectures and participating in long procedures such as total bone marrow, stereotactic or brachytherapy procedures.

Conceptualization-Candidate must be able to learn, understand, and apply the theoretical concepts underlying the practice of Radiation Oncology.

Physical Requirements:

Strength and mobility-Candidate must be able to frequently push/pull objects in excess of forty (40) pounds. Candidate must be able to lift forty (40) pounds unassisted to approximately six feet from the floor. They should be able to lift the same amount to a height of six feet while they are standing on a footstool. Candidate must be able to push wheel chairs from waiting areas to treatment, simulation or nursing rooms. They should be able to transport, move/assist in moving a patient from a stretcher or wheelchair onto a table. Be able to freely move around the treatment, simulation and/or treatment planning room including block cutting.

Manual Dexterity-Candidates must be able to perform manipulative skills such as positioning patients and equipment. They must be able to operate and program the radiation therapy equipment by setting the control panel or inputting the information into the treatment control computer. Candidate must be able to manually operate the treatment machine by turning the gantry or raising the table. They should be able to utilize machine tools such as drills, hammers or drill presses.

Visual and Hearing- Candidates must be able to assess the patient’s condition by asking questions and listening to responses, observing condition and behavior. They should be able to review charts to visually read and enter the patient’s information into the treatment chart and deal with any other visual aspects of patient treatment. Candidate must be able visually evaluate simulation and port films for technical standards.

Environmental Conditions:

Candidates, once accepted into the program as students, may be frequently exposed to blood, body tissues, or fluids. In addition, students will be frequently exposed to potentially hazardous ionizing radiation and radioactive materials. As in many health care professions and programs, students may occasionally be exposed to bodily injuries, electrical hazards and high intensity magnetic fields.

IF, AFTER ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAM, IT IS DISCOVERED THAT A STUDENT CANNOT MEET THE TECHNICAL STANDARDS (ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS), THE STUDENT WILL HAVE APPROPRIATE CONSULTATION WITH THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR AND MEDICAL DIRECTOR. THE STUDENT MAY BE SUBJECT TO DISMISSAL FROM THE PROGRAM.