CoxHealth School of Radiation
Therapy
Mission:
It is the mission of the CoxHealth School of Radiation Therapy to develop
and educate competent, compassionate and professional entry-level radiation
therapists through a strong commitment to didactic, clinical and professional
education.
Goals:
The CoxHealth School of Radiation Therapy adheres to the following goals
to achieve the mission of the program. Upon completion of the program,
graduates will:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamentals of patient care
associated with radiation therapy.
- Communicate effectively with patients, physicians and other health
care
professionals.
- Use independent judgment, think critically and problem solve.
- Become registered radiation therapists who are employed in their
field.
- Demonstrate professionalism.
top of page Objectives:
The CoxHealth School of Radiation Therapy goals are achieved when the
student is able to:
- Exercise good independent judgment and assume responsibility
for personal and professional behavior within moral, ethical and legal
standards
- Function as an effective member of the radiation therapy
team by utilizing proper written and oral communication skills specific
to a
medical environment
- Interact in a professional manner with other health care professionals
- Use principles of body mechanics while assisting a patient on and
off the treatment table in a safe manner
- Produce immobilization devices and beam modification devices
- Demonstrate basic knowledge of topographical and cross-sectional
anatomy in localization of anatomical structures
- Demonstrate the ability to operate all radiation-producing equipment
within the radiation therapy department
- Complete and verify mathematical calculations of radiation therapy
prescription
- Recognize errors in calculation and/or delivery of a course of
treatment and take the necessary corrective action
- Interpret isodose summations and treatment plans
- Apply knowledge of principles of radiation physics and radiation
therapy technology
- Deliver a planned course of radiation therapy by following the
physician's prescription
- Verify the accuracy of treatment delivery and consistency of
daily treatment setup
- Utilize treatment accessories in the delivery of a course of
treatment
- Recognize symptoms of disease progression and side effects of
radiation therapy
- Provide basic patient nursing care
- Provide radiation therapy patients with psychological support
- Participate in the patient follow-up program
- Assist in brachytherapy procedures
- Perform machine calibration and quality assurance testing
- Detect and report equipment malfunctions
- Demonstrate appropriate radiation protection procedures
- Participate in patient and staff education procedures and programs
- Maintain the desire to pursue professional growth
through continuing education and the open-mindedness necessary to adapt
and succeed in an
ever-changing
health care environment
- Successfully complete the National Registry
examination for registered radiation therapists
top of page Design:
The CoxHealth School of Radiation Therapy is a twelve-month, hospital-based
certificate program. The program features clinical and didactic education
at Hulston Cancer Center in Springfield, Mo. The CoxHealth
School of Radiation Therapy combines technical and patient-care education
with advanced coursework to promote professional advancement into the
field of radiation therapy. The program offers an exceptional educational
experience through a challenging curriculum, state-of-the-art treatment
facility, and an excellent student/faculty ratio. Clinical laboratory
and didactic education begins on the first day of class with a three-week
introductory session. Actual clinical experience begins under close and
direct supervision within the clinical department.
Classes begin in late October or early November of each year.
top of page Admissions requirements and procedures:
The eligible applicant will be a graduate of an accredited radiography
program and maintain a 2.5/4.0 grade point average in all post-secondary
coursework. Applicants must be physically capable of performing all job
requirements of a radiation therapist.
In addition the following college courses must be completed prior to
enrollment:
Human Anatomy
Human Physiology
College Algebra
Pre-calculus Mathematics Application forms can be obtained by contacting the school office at
417/ 269-5363.
Print Application
(PDF format - Requires Free PDF Reader)
Completed application forms must be sent to the address below:
CoxHealth School of Radiation Therapy
3850 South National Avenue
Suite 100
Springfield, MO 65807
A non-refundable $30 application fee must accompany all applications
to the program.
A copy of all post-secondary academic transcripts must be forwarded
to the program by the institution, university or college.
A current copy of each applicant's curriculum vitae must accompany the
application.
Two personal letters of recommendation are required. The individuals
giving the recommendations should send the letters directly to the school
office.
The completed application form, $30 application fee, transcripts, CV and letters of recommendation must be received by the school office no
later than May 15 of that year. Although efforts are made to contact
applicants whose files are not complete, it is not the responsibility
of the school to see that candidates' files are complete.
The applicant will be notified upon completion of their file, including
an explanation of the interview process.
top of page The
interview process
The interview process will be conducted during the month of June. All
applicants meeting introductory requirements will be notified by form
letter as to the date and time of their personal interview.
The actual interview process consists of the candidate interviewing
with the admissions committee. A standardized interview sheet is used
to evaluate and rank the applicants. The candidate will also take an
entrance examination on the day of the interview.
Selection of the class is performed by the admissions committee, which
may include faculty members, radiation therapy staff, the director of
the Radiation Therapy department and the medical director. The evaluation
sheet totals are placed by each name alphabetically. The top candidates
are then reviewed and evaluated by the committee. Difficulty in the final
selection may require a second interview for finalists. Final selection
will be in accordance with the predetermined number of students to be
accepted.
All applicants are notified as to the status of their file: Accepted/Alternate/Not Accepted. This notification should be made before the
end of June. Those applicants that wish to be reconsidered for the following
year are given 60 days to notify the Program Director. Appointments may
be scheduled for those applicants who wish to discuss ways to improve
their file.
CoxHealth School of Radiation Therapy complies with the JRCERT standards
for "Fair Practices in Education," which emphasizes that "student
selection shall be nondiscriminatory with respect to race, color, creed,
sex, age, handicap(s), or national origin". Applicants must be physically
capable of performing all job requirements of a Registered Radiation
Therapist.
A $100 non-refundable deposit is required within two weeks of acceptance
into the program. This fee will be applied toward the total tuition.
top of page Tuition and
fees
A non-refundable $30 application fee must accompany all applications
to the program.
Total tuition for the program is $3,000. A non-refundable deposit
of $100 is required within two weeks of notification of acceptance.
The remaining $2,900 may be paid on the first day of the program or
distributed over three payments. The first payment of $900 is due
the first day of the program. The second payment of $1,000 is due
at the end of the fourth month of the program. The third and final payment
of $1,000 is due at the end of the eighth month of the program. Students
who are unable to meet the payment schedule may be subject to dismissal
from the program.
Textbooks are purchased by the student and are the property of the student.
A textbook list will be distributed to the student approximately two
months before the first day of class. Students will be required to have
all textbooks purchased before the first day of the program. The approximate
cost of textbooks is $600.
Tuition and fees may vary and are subject to change.
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