Radiation Therapy Technology General Information

Student Handbook 2007-2008
Clinical Manual I 2007-2008
Clinical Manual II 2007-2008

Student Handbook 2005-2006 
Clinical Manual 2005-2006 

The educational structure for Bergen Community College’s certificate program in Radiation Therapy Technology has three primary areas of concentration:             

• liberal arts and sciences
• radiotherapy core courses
• clinical education

The liberal arts, science and professional components deal with theoretical studies and principles, while the clinical education component concerns itself with its application and the cultivation of sound professional and ethical practices.  Since this is an advanced certificate program, student radiotherapists are expected to demonstrate a personal commitment to their education and training.  In light of this commitment, the Bergen Community College Radiotherapy Program created its policies to provide the student with the proper didactic and clinical education for success in becoming a contributing professional member of the health care team.  The primary purpose of these policies is two-fold: the welfare of the patient and the perpetuation of professional standards.

Radiation Therapy Technology Program – Mission Statement
The Radiation Therapy Program sponsored by Bergen Community College is committed to the development of a high quality educational program that cultivates competent, knowledgeable and compassionate radiation therapists that will meet the needs of the radiation oncology community and the patients they serve.

Program Goals

• The program will provide students with a college-based radiation therapy program that meets the needs of the community.
• Graduates will perform the tasks and responsibilities of a radiation therapist in a competent and compassionate manner.
• Graduates will demonstrate effective communication skills and participate as a collaborative team member with other medical professionals.
• Graduates will value the importance of professional development and growth, and demonstrate professional ethics in the clinical setting.
• Graduates will demonstrate problem solving and critical thinking skills essential to the practice of state-of-the-art radiation therapy.

The curriculum consists of:

8     Didactic Courses in Radiation Therapy and Medical Physics:		24 credits
3     Clinical Education Courses:		6 credits
2     Required General Education Electives:		6 credits
Total:		36 credits

Starting in September, the school year is divided into trimesters: Sept.–Dec., Jan.–May, and May-Aug.  A maximum of thirty-six college level credits may be awarded to the graduate.

The program follows the recommended guidelines of national and state accreditation agencies.  All didactic courses are taught by formalized lectures.  Clinical evaluation is competency-based and performed on patients in a hospital setting or in a simulated environment.  All competency-based evaluations done on patients are supervised by a designated hospital clinical supervisor.  In addition, adjunct clinical supervisors and full time faculty members from Bergen Community College rotate through the clinical site to assist the student in their learning experience.

Clinical experiences are patterned into the student’s schedule each semester.  Clinical days are eight (8) hours, Monday through Friday.  Clinical times may vary depending on the education site.  Students can expect to be rotated to different hospitals during their clinical experience.  Clinical education accounts for approximately 1064 hours.

Upon completion of the program, the graduate is eligible to apply for New Jersey State licensure.  Additionally, the graduate is eligible to take a National Certification Examination sponsored by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).  This National Registry Examination is scheduled and administered electronically.  Upon successful performance of the Registry Examination, the student is credentialed as a Registered RT(T) and Licensed Radiation Therapists.  Registry applications are signed and distributed when verification is presented that the entire program has been successfully completed.

The information on this page is maintained by the Radiation Therapy Technology Program Coordinator, Carol Chovanec.