Accreditation and Certification
Bellevue College offers a twenty-four (24) month Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree Program in Radiation Therapy. The Program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT).
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
Phone: (312) 704-5300
Fax: (312) 704-5304
Program Accreditation Status
Most recent site visit: July 2016
Accreditation award granted for maximum 8 years: Dec 2016
Interim report due: third quarter 2020 – submitted Sept 2020 pending review expected April 2021
Next site visit due: third quarter of 2024
Standards of an Accredited Education Program in Radiation Therapy
A copy of the JRCERT’S Standards of an Accredited Educational Program in Radiation Therapy may be found by clicking on the following link:
http://www.jrcert.org/programs-faculty/jrcert-standards/
Students have the right to submit allegations against a JRCERT-accredited program if there is reason to believe that the program has acted contrary to JRCERT accreditation standards or that conditions at the program appear to jeopardize the quality of instruction or the general welfare of its students.
Contact of the JRCERT should not be a step in the formal institutional/program grievance procedure. The individual must first attempt to resolve the complaint directly with institution/program officials by following the grievance procedures provided by the institution/program. If the individual is unable to resolve the complaint with institution/program officials or believes that the concerns have not been properly addressed, he or she may submit allegations of non-compliance directly to the JRCERT.
Students can contact the JRCERT:
By Email:
By Phone:
(312) 704-5300
By Mail:
JRCERT
20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
Professional Organizations
Our Program and Advisory Committee feel participation in national and local professional organizations is important for both our students and the future profession of radiation therapy. Therefore, student membership in the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) is required while in the program. A membership fee is included in fall course registration for both first and second year students.
Information on membership to the ASRT may be found by clicking on the following link:
http://www.asrt.org/membership
Mission Statement, Goals and Outcomes
The Radiation Therapy program’s mission statement is found at:
Purpose Statement
The Radiation Therapy program’s purpose statement is found at:
Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes
The Radiation Therapy program goals and student learning outcomes is found at:
Program Goals and Student Learning Outcomes
Program Benchmarks
PDF copy of the Program Benchmarks (available upon request)
Description of Profession
The profession of radiation therapy (radiation oncology) requires judgment and the ability to provide appropriate health care services. Radiation therapists are highly skilled professionals qualified by education to provide radiation therapy related patient services under the supervision of a radiation oncologist or, where appropriate, a medical radiation physicist.
The graduate shall be able to:
- Administer a planned course of radiation therapy. This process includes, but is not limited to: a) implement treatment methods and protocols; b) simulate and plan a prescribed course of treatment; c) construct immobilization and beam-directional devices; d) explain the rationale for the use of all treatment accessories, and e) participate in patient education procedures.
- Verify the mathematical accuracy of the prescription and maintain daily records and document technical details of the treatment administered.
- Provide patient care and comfort essential to radiation therapy procedures. Observe the clinical progress of the patient undergoing radiation therapy, observe the first signs of any complication, and determine when treatment should be withheld until a physician may be consulted.
- Apply the rules and regulations for radiation safety, detect any radiation hazards, and provide for appropriate public safety in the event of a radiation accident.
- Understand the functions and utilization of equipment and detect equipment malfunctions: report same to the proper authority; and know the safe limits of equipment operation.
- Assist the physicist in calibration of equipment, in quality assurance, in the preparation of brachytherapy sources and in treatment planning procedures.
- Participate in the patient follow-up program and in recording statistical data.
- Demonstrate professional attitudes in the work environment and respect for patient confidentiality and the “Patient’s Bill of Rights”.
- Demonstrate effective critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrate effective oral and written communication techniques.
Technical Standards for the Radiation Therapy Profession
Radiation Therapists deliver care to the patient in the therapeutic setting and are responsible for the simulation and administration of a prescribed course of radiation therapy. Radiation therapists assume direct responsibility for the well-being of the patient preparatory to, during and following the delivery of daily treatment.
The radiation therapist/individuals admitted to radiation therapy program to become a radiation therapist must have sufficient emotional and physical strength, motor coordination and quantitative abilities required to perform the following activities:
- Work in a clinical setting eight to ten hours a day, frequently performing physical tasks, requiring physical energy without jeopardizing patient, self, or colleague safety.
- Able to walk, stand, bend or squat for majority of shift.
- Utilize proper body mechanics.
- Assess patient’s ambulatory status and be able to assist as necessary.
- Able to focus and concentrate for long periods of time, in a busy environment.
- Frequent reaching, lifting, and the use of manual dexterity in the manipulation and operation of equipment as well as for the creation of immobilization devices.
- Able to reach 6 feet above the floor. Example: Lift treatment accessories and beam shaping devices weighing thirty (30) pounds of weight up and over one’s head. May use step stool if needed.
- Manually position patients that are lying on a treatment couch that may be 4-5 feet above the floor. May use step stool if needed.
- Use proper technique during patient transfer. Able to lift, pull, and push up to fifty (50) pounds.
- Make fine adjustments to equipment using a hand pendant with thumbwheel controls.
- Frequently transporting, moving, lifting and transferring patients from a wheelchair or stretcher to and from a treatment/simulation table.
- Push standard wheelchair from waiting area to treatment room.
- Assist patients with mobility difficulties on and off the treatment couch.
- Moving immobile patients from stretcher to treatment table with assistance from departmental personnel.
- Ability to communicate information and instructions in clear and concise manner to patients and medical personnel.
- Read and apply appropriate instructions located in treatment charts, computer monitors, notes and medical records.
- Understand and apply clinical instructions given by departmental personnel.
- Write clear and legible instructions and/or enter the clear instructions and daily treatment data in the patient’s electronic radiation therapy chart.
- Possess ability to work collaboratively with all members of the healthcare team.
- Possess sufficient visual and aural acuity.
- Report visual observations of patients and equipment operation as well as to read the patient’s radiation records and medical information.
- Vision must be adequate to align laser lights and crosshairs on patients in a dimmed light environment.
- Ability to view computer screens for extended periods.
- Visually monitor patients in dimmed light and via video monitors during treatment.
- Audio monitoring of patients during treatment and perceiving and interpreting subtle equipment signals.
- To have sufficient problem-solving skills to include measuring, calculating, reasoning, analyzing, evaluating and synthesizing with the ability to perform these skills in a timely fashion.
- Utilize keyboard for inputting clinical data into treatment console and computers.
- Ability to perform basic computer functions.
- Ability to perform multiple computer functions
- Display judgement in the assessment of patients
- Demonstrate ability to verify patient’s identity in accordance with institutional protocol.
- Demonstrate ability to recognize limitations in their knowledge, skills, and abilities.
- Seek appropriate assistance with identified limitations.
- Accept criticism and adopt modification in self behavior.
- Possess the perseverance, diligence, and consistency
- To complete the program curriculum.
- To enter into practice as a certified, registered, and licensed radiation therapist.
- Demonstrate consistent ability to recognize and be sensitive to patient’s emotional state and respond appropriately.
- Provide physical and emotional support to patients during procedures.
- Respond to situations requiring first aid and provide emergency service to patients in the absence of, or until the physician arrives in accordance with institutional protocol.
- Relate and respond reasonably to patients.
- Establish a sensitive, professional, and effective relationship with the patients.
- Communicate verbally in an effective manner to direct patients during procedures.
- Respond with precise, quick, and appropriate action in stressful and emergency situations.
Academic Standards for the Radiation Therapy Program
The Radiation Therapy Program is a full time program and the normal hours of operation are Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM.
The class times are normally between 8:30 AM and 3:00 PM.
Clinical Internships are 8 AM – 4:30 PM.
- The ability to read and comprehend textbooks and other materials that are written at the college/professional level is necessary for success in the program. In addition, many instructors require weekly written assignments and/or term papers/research papers. The expectation is that you are proficient in writing at the college level and can do basic research.
- The didactic (classroom) work is intensive and normally requires a minimum of 15-20 hours of work per week outside of the classroom hours. Due to the importance of the work of a radiation therapist the passing grade for each course is a “C”. Any grade less than a “C” is considered a failing grade for most health science programs.
- Lecture format is used for much of the instruction/learning of the academic content. This is due to the nature of the course content and the amount of required course content. Most courses meet for two-three hour blocks of time and thus the ability to focus in the academic setting is a necessity.
Students with Special Needs
If you have medical information to share with the program in the event of an emergency, please contact either the program chair or the clinical coordinator via email or come to see either individual during office hours or before or after class. Emergency preparedness is important!
If you need course modifications / adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, the program can refer you to the Disability Resource Center (DRC).
If you prefer, you may contact them directly by going to B132 or by calling 425-564-2498 or TTY 425-564-6189. Information is also available on their website at http://bellevuecollege.edu/drc/
Tuition and Other Charges
Please see the BC quarterly schedule for tuition, fees and refund policies.
Students will be required to purchase their own textbooks and a scientific calculator. The cost of textbooks averages $1,000 for the program. Most of this cost is incurred in the first and fifth quarters of the program.
Students will be required to purchase their own lab coats and/or scrubs(1 minimum).
For any questions regarding tuition or charges, go to: Tuition & Fees @ Bellevue College
Employment Policy
Employment of Students
The Program’s normal hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.. Some RADON classes may be scheduled during evening hours. Also, students taking non- RADON classes during the Program may have to take these classes during evening hours to avoid scheduling conflicts with RADON classes.
Employment outside scheduled class or clinical hours is at the discretion of the student as long as employment does not adversely affect the student’s performance in the Therapy Program.
Students may be employed in the clinical facility outside of educational hours. The student must not be employed as a radiation therapist or call themselves a radiation therapist prior to graduation from the Radiation Therapy Program and passing the ARRT certification exam.
Academic Policies and Procedures
Last Updated March 19, 2024