Javascript is currently not supported, or is disabled by this browser. Please enable Javascript for full functionality.

Skip to Main Content


    Florida State College at Jacksonville
   
 
  May 30, 2023
 
2022-2023 Catalog [Aug. 2022-Aug. 2023] 
  
Catalog Navigation
  Catalog Home
   About Florida State College at Jacksonville
   Programs
   Academics
   Course Descriptions and Information
   Student Services
   Appendix


   Academic Roadmaps
   Student Handbook
   Looking for a Different Catalog?
  My Portfolio
HELP
2022-2023 Catalog [Aug. 2022-Aug. 2023]

Radiation Therapy Specialist (4105) (A.T.C.)

(opens a new window) | Print-Friendly Page (opens a new window)
Add to Portfolio (opens a new window)

Return to Programs Return to: Programs

Advanced Technical Certificate

This is a Limited Access program.

The Program

The Radiation Therapist assists in the treatment of cancer patients. Working as part of a health care team and supervised by a radiation oncologist, the radiation therapist positions the patient for treatment, performs the necessary mathematical calculations to determine the radiation dosage, and delivers the radiation treatments utilizing highly sophisticated equipment.

In order to be considered for the Radiation Therapy Specialist program, the student must be registered with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) as a radiologic technologist or nuclear medicine technologist and have earned a minimum of an associate degree. Please refer to the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists eligibility requirements for January 2015. 

A minimum grade of C or higher must be achieved in all professional coursework.

The Career

Growth should be faster than the average; as the population grows and ages, the demand for radiation treatment therapy increases.

Certification/Licensing

Eligibility requirements for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist certification in Radiography, Nuclear Medicine Technology and Radiation Therapy and for the primary pathway to MRI and Sonography will - effective January 1, 2015 - call for candidates to have earned an associate (or more advanced) degree from an accrediting agency recognized by ARRT. 

ARRT believes that general education courses required for an academic degree will provide a firm foundation to support the evolving role of the technologist and the lifelong learning necessitated by the increasing rate of technological change. Quantitative and communication skills and understanding of human behavior that are acquired through general education are believed by ARRT to have value in continuing to shape professionalism and advancement of a Registered Technologist’s role in healthcare. 

The degree will not need to be in radiologic sciences, and it can be earned before entering the educational program or after graduation from the program. The degree requirement will apply to graduates on or after January 1, 2015. It must be granted by an institution accredited by a mechanism recognized by ARRT. A list of accrediting agencies currently recognized is on the ARRT website, arrt.org. Individuals who complete a recognized non-degree granting program prior to that date will not be subject to the degree requirement. 

Year Graduation Rate Examination Pass Rate Employment Rate
2016 100% 70% 70%
2018 100% 100% 100%

Application Procedure

To meet the minimum requirements for consideration for acceptance to the Radiation Therapy program, students must:

  1. Submit a Florida State College at Jacksonville application.
  2. Submit a Radiation Therapy Specialist program application.
  3. Submit a copy of ARRT Exam Scores.
  4. Provide a copy of current ARRT card. The ARRT card must clearly show the candidate’s identification number, the registration category, and the “valid through end of” date, and indicate that the candidate is “in compliance with continuing education requirements.”
  5. Have completed a minimum of an associate degree. Please refer to the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists eligibility requirements for January 2015. 

Note: Admissions preference is given to fully qualified candidates who have met all entrance criteria, including the satisfaction of prerequisite courses. Should seats remain available in the program cohort, applicants who fulfill admissions criteria prior to the start of the program will be considered next, followed by those with the highest number of completed prerequisite courses. Qualified applicants with pending prerequisite course requirements will receive a conditional acceptance letter outlining the remaining criteria for full program admission.

Application Deadline(s)

The application deadline is September 15 alternate/even years with classes starting in spring term. The program follows a cohort-based model and students who are enrolled full-time may complete coursework within 12-months. 

Need More Information? Contact:

Jane Wiggins-King, (904) 766-6643 or jane.a.wigginsking@fscj.edu

More Information Online

  • American Society of Radiologic Technologists: asrt.org

Curriculum

Professional Coursework

Credit Hours: 43

A minimum grade of C or higher is required in all Professional coursework.

Total Credit Hours: 43 / Program Length: 17 Months

Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen

Most clinical agencies require students to undergo drug screen and criminal background checks prior to placement in the agencies for clinical experiences. Students whose drug screening and criminal background checks are deemed unsatisfactory may be denied access to clinical experiences by the clinical agencies. Failure to qualify for and meet clinical requirements at clinical sites may prevent completion of the program. Withdrawal from the program may be necessary if students cannot be placed for clinical experiences.

Some practice settings may have additional requirements including health insurance, a volunteer application, references, additional fingerprinting and background check (e.g. the Jessica Lunsford Act for school environments), drug testing, flu shot, Covid-19 testing/vaccine and/or an interview prior to the start of the clinical experience. The additional requirements are the responsibility of the student, including expenses.

The cost of the background check(s) and drug screen(s) is borne by the student. Additionally, it is the student’s responsibility to have all paperwork completed by the program’s published deadline.

Students who are unable to complete the clinical requirements after acceptance into Limited Access or Selective Access programs are not eligible for refunds of tuition and fees.

A physical examination will be required upon acceptance to the program.  It is the students’ responsibility to renew their annual physical examination as well as tuberculosis (TB) test.

Graduation Requirements

In order to be awarded an advanced technical certificate, students must have met the following requirements.

  1. Students must fulfill the specific program requirements as outlined in the Florida State College at Jacksonville Catalog.
  2. Earned a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) on a 4.0 scale on all courses attempted at Florida State College at Jacksonville.
  3. Completed the required courses as set forth in the curriculum.
  4. Completed at least one-fourth (25 percent) of the total hours required for the program in residence at Florida State College at Jacksonville.
  5. Students must have fulfilled all financial obligations to the College before they may graduate.
Note: Students are cautioned to pay particular attention to the following statements.
  • A student’s graduation date will be the date of the end of the College term in which the student has fulfilled all academic requirements. (The removal of an incomplete grade does not affect students’ graduation dates since the grade change is effective at the end of the term in which the incomplete grade was assigned rather than the term in which the incomplete work was made up.)
  • Students who enter under the (2022/2023) catalog will be assigned to the degree or certificate requirements in effect during the 2022/2023 academic year. The student’s assigned catalog year will remain in effect as long as the student maintains continuous enrollment. Changes to requirements as mandated by law or by rule of the District Board of Trustees may supersede this provision.
  • Many courses in this catalog have prerequisite requirements and/or corequisite courses listed in the course descriptions. Students are advised to be guided by these requirements.

Articulation

This certificate articulates directly into the Radiation Therapy (2163) (A.S.)  degree. Students may pursue one or more certificates to develop or upgrade their skills in a particular field, or pursue the A.S. degree and earn technical certificates while completing the requirements for the degree. Contact an advisor to determine the career education path that is best for you.

Return to Programs Return to: Programs


 Back to Top | (opens a new window) | Print-Friendly Page (opens a new window)
Add to Portfolio (opens a new window)
   
All catalogs © 2023 Florida State College at Jacksonville.
Powered by the Acalog™ Academic Catalog Management System™ (ACMS™).