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Radiation Therapy Program
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Radiation Therapy Department Home
Please note: The Radiation Therapy program is not accepting a class at this time. Please bookmark this web address, and check back periodically to determine when the program will resume.
Welcome to Foothill College Radiation Therapy Program. Radiation Therapy, one of the most sophisticated tools of modern medicine, plays a major role in the treatment of cancer. Approximately 50% of all cancer patients receive radiation therapy at some point during their treatment, with most radiotherapy patients considered curable.
Radiation therapy also offers patients control of disease and relief of symptoms, improving quality of life. A Radiation Therapist is a health care professional skilled in the art and science of medical radiation treatment delivery. This profession combines the use of high technology equipment and sophisticated scientific techniques with the great satisfaction of helping people during a difficult time in their life.
Should you have questions, please contact the Biology and Health Sciences Division or the department chair.
Debra Stastny R.T. (T), Program Director
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Photograph provided courtesy
Siemens Medical Solutions Inc.
Oncology Care Systems Division
Contact Information
If you have questions regarding course requirements, you may call
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About the Radiation Therapy Program
As a licensed radiation therapist, you can work as a staff member in hospitals and clinics. Graduates may also develop careers in administration, research, dosimetry, education or applications and marketing of equipment. The job market for radiation therapists is excellent throughout the country. Starting salaries in California are $58,000 to 64,000 annually, often with sign on bonuses .
As a Radiation Therapist you will:
- Operate sophisticated radiation equipment to provide daily prescribed treatments.
- Maintain patient records
- Monitor patients’ physical and psychological condition.
- Assist in designing hand or computer generated treatment plans under the direction of radiation oncologists (physicians) and physicists.
Daily contact with patients over a period of weeks makes you an important member of a patient’s health care team.
Scope of the Radiation Therapy Technology Program
The Radiation Therapy Program at Foothill College is accredited by the Radiation Health Branch of the State of California and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The two-year program leads to an associate degree in Radiation Therapy Technology. Upon completion of the program of 24 consecutive months of instruction, students are eligible to take the National Registry Exam.
The program integrates laboratory, classsroom and clinical education. Areas of study include medical terminology, methods of patient care, human anatomy and physiology, clinical radiation oncology and pathology, technical radiation oncology and quality assurance, radiation biology, radiation physics, clinical dosimetry and treatment planning, and radiographic imaging.
Program Mission
The Radiation Therapy Technology program is dedicated to the integration of clinical, didactic, and laboratory objectives to successfully develop student's cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains necessary for the quality and safety of patient care in radiation oncology. The Radiation Therapy Technology program strives to enhance its role as a principle community resource by providing programs of continuing and in-service education to both individual and collective needs.
Program Information
Due to the rigorous nature of the program, it is strongly recommended that applicants complete Anatomy and Physiology and many of the General Education courses required for the Associate of Science degree. Questions regarding prerequisites, graduation requirements, and transferability of course work should be directed to Bryan Shaner of the Counseling Department at Foothill College. (650) 949-7423.
Physical Examinations
All applicants admitted into this program will be required to complete a physical examination by a physician of your choice. Your admission will be contingent upon completion of the examination. Students will be required to show evidence of the following tests/ immunizations along with the physical examination:
- Hepatitis B vaccine
- TB
- MMR
- Varicella titer
The cost of the physical exam is paid by the student.
Pregnancy Policy
In compliance with Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations regarding the declared pregnant student, female students have the option of whether or not to inform program officials of pregnancy. A student who has chosen to declare her pregnancy will follow the Foothill College pregnancy policy on page 29 in the Radiation Therapy Student Handbook, available for review in the Foothill College Library
Background Screening and Drug Testing
Background screening and drug testing are required to attend clinical internships. Positive results on background checks and drug testing could impact a student's ability to to attend clinics, complete the program requirements or gain a license to practice upon graduation. The cost of the required physical examinations, immunizations, background screenings and drug tests will be paid by the student. Some clinical training sites may require more frequent background screening and drug testing. The cost of these additional requirements will be paid by the individual cinics. Students accepted into the program will be provided with the specific details.
For additional information about the Radiation Therapy Program, click here to download our Program Information Sheet.
Financial Information
For information on Enrollment fees please see the college fees page:
Additional Program expenses for the two years are approximated as follows:
| Radiation Monitoring |
$100 |
| Student Fees |
$120 |
| Books |
$700 |
| Uniform/shoes |
$200 |
| Registry Applications |
$350 |
Please be advised that most books and uniforms are purchased at the beginning of the program and used throughout the two years.
Financial Aid assistance is available at Foothill College.
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