Answer: According to the National Cancer Institute, radiation therapy (radiotherapy) can cure cancer, prevent it from returning, slow its growth, or even stop it.1 At high doses, radiation therapy kills or slows cancer cells by slowing their growth by damaging their DNA. Cancer cells whose DNA is damaged beyond repair stop dividing or die. There are two main types of radiation therapy, external beam and internal.1 Radiation therapy uses high-energy particles or waves, such as X-rays, gamma rays, electron beams, or protons.2
Citations:
1 ^a, b, National Cancer Institute. “Radiation Therapy to Treat Cancer.” National Cancer Institute, Cancer.gov. Jan. 8, 2019. (Accessed May 3, 2022.)
2 American Cancer Society. “How Radiation Therapy is Used to Treat Cancer.” Cancer.org, American Cancer Society. Dec. 27, 2014. (Accessed June 16, 2022.)
According to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT), a Radiation Therapist is someone who performs radiation therapy procedures under the supervision of a radiation oncologist. A Radiation Therapist typically administers radiation to a patient throughout treatment.1 He or she has completed education and obtained certification. Those certified and registered with the ARRTⓇ for Radiation Therapy use the R.T. (T)(ARRT)Ⓡ certification.*
*ARRT,® American Registry of Radiologic Technologists,® R.T.(MR)(ARRT),® and R.T.(T)(ARRT)® are registered trademarks owned by The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. Gurnick Academy is not licensed by, endorsed by, or affiliated with The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.
Citation:
1 “The ASRT Practice Standards for Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Radiation Therapy.” American Society of Radiologic Technologists. June 23, 2019. (Accessed June 15, 2022.) P 3
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, steps to becoming a Radiation Therapist include the following:
*ARRT,® American Registry of Radiologic Technologists,® R.T.(MR)(ARRT),® and R.T.(T)(ARRT)® are registered trademarks owned by The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.Ⓡ Gurnick Academy is not licensed by, endorsed by, or affiliated with The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.Ⓡ
†Many jobs also require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or essential life support (BLS) certification.
Citation:
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Radiation Therapists. May 3, 2022. (Accessed June 16, 2022.)
According to the American Cancer Society, the profession’s origins go back to a German physics professor, Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen. In 1896, Roentgen presented a remarkable lecture entitled “Concerning a New Kind of Ray.” Roentgen called it the “X-ray.” Within months, systems were being devised to use X-rays for diagnosis, and within three years, radiation was used to treat cancer.1
Citation:
1 “History of Cancer Treatments: Radiation Therapy.” Www.cancer.org, American Cancer Society. June 12, 2014. (Accessed June 16, 2022).
To have information sent to you or a school representative contact you, fill out our online contact form here. Or call us at 1-877-GURNICK.
The first step is to submit an online application.
Applicants should follow the general requirements for entry into Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts. These can be found at General Requirements for Admissions link here.
Please find more info about the Foreign Transcript/Diploma Evaluations process here.
The deadline for applications is one week before the online orientation and one week before the semester’s official start date. Please see an advisor for the current academic calendar.
To qualify for the B.S. in Radiation Therapy program, you must pass the Test of Essential Academic Skills TEAS® exam. You can find more information here.
Yes. All applicants, regardless of degree or background, must pass the entrance exam before admission into the program.
No. All courses are built into the course curriculum and course content. Please contact our Admissions Team for more information.
The program length is 36 months* or 3,100 hours, or 131 semester credit hours. Clinical work is 1,620 hours. You may learn about the B.S. in Radiation Therapy Program Length and Schedule here.
*135 Indicates Approved Instructional Weeks
Gurnick Academy’s Medical Arts Radiation Therapy program will be based out of the Van Nuys campus. According to the program director, Cheryl Young, Ed.D., RT(T), the program will be taught through distance education with synchronous instruction. The program offers 1500 clinical hours in the following counties: Sacramento, Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego.
Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts holds national institutional accreditation by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). ABHES accreditation does not include continuing education courses.
Additionally, Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a private institution approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. Approval to operate means the institution is compliant with the minimum standards in the California Private Postsecondary Education Act (CPPEA) of 2009 (as amended) and Division 7.5 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations. CPPEA governs the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.
Yes. The B.S. in Radiation Therapy program is a full-time course.
No. We currently do not offer night classes for this program.
To review the scheduled breaks during the school year. Please see Gurnick Academy’s Addendum.
Please find more info about remediation in our Catalog and Addendum.
No. Each student will complete three clinical externships which will be provided.
No. All externships are unpaid positions.
The table below reflects the upcoming future starts only.
B.S. in RADIATION THERAPY PROGRAM FEES* | COST |
---|---|
Student Tuition Recovery Fund (Non-Refundable) | $197.50 |
Registration Fee (Non-Refundable) | $100.00 |
Books (Non-Refundable, if accessed) | $675.00 |
Tuition Fee | $77,738.00 |
TOTAL PROGRAM COST | $78,710.50 |
*Program fees are subject to change.
†Effective April 1, 2022, $2.50 for every $1,000 rounded to the nearest $1,000 of institutional charges. For institutional charges of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or less, the assessment is zero dollars ($0).
Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts participates in various federal and state student financial assistance programs.
This is a full-time program and requires a commitment to the profession. Depending on individual needs or preferences, students may be able to work during the program. However, this depends on the type of work, each student’s individual needs, work-study balances, and life schedules and commitments.
There are some guidelines for study/life balance. The Hechinger Report cites a 2018 Georgetown University study regarding students working while enrolled in higher education. According to the report, “Students who worked had lower grades and were more likely to drop out” than those who did not work during their college tenure. The report states, “The risk was especially high for low-income students. Other studies seem to concur with this report. The conventional advice to students is to try to work under 15 hours a week if they want to finish their degrees,” says the article.1
Citation:
1 Barshay, Jill. “Working in College Interferes With Studies But Boosts Adult Earnings.” The Hechinger Report. June 17, 2019. (Accessed. June 21, 2022.)
The B.S. in Radiation Therapy program is a Bachelor of Science degree program.
Upon completing the program, students will be prepared to take an examination to be certified and registered with the American Registry of Radiologic TechnologistsⓇ (ARRT).Ⓡ In California, they must also obtain state licensure from the California Department of Public Health, Radiologic Health Branch.*
*ARRT,® American Registry of Radiologic Technologists,® R.T.(MR)(ARRT),® and R.T.(T)(ARRT)® are registered trademarks owned by The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.Ⓡ Gurnick Academy is not licensed by, endorsed by, or affiliated with The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.Ⓡ
Please find more info about Licensure, Certification, and Registry Disclaimer policy in our Catalog and Addendum.
Test preparation is strongly emphasized throughout our students’ entire curriculum at Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts.
We have a dedicated Career Services department that may assist with job placements for all students who complete the program. However, we cannot guarantee employment.
Radiation Therapeutic Technology is expected to expand to meet community demands. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, projected employment growth is upward of nine percent between 2020–2030, with an estimated 17,700 job openings in upcoming years.1
Citation:
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Radiation Therapists. May 3, 2022. (Accessed June 1, 2022.)
According to Gurnick Academy Career Services, typical interview questions include some of the following:
According to the website, All 50 Medical, two complaints within the vocation seem to be that some find it physically demanding. “Radiation Therapists are on their feet all day long, and the job can be physically demanding as you help weak or chronically ill patients to and from radiation treatment tables,” says author Pat Bass III, M.D., M.S., M.P.H. Another complaint Bass states are that the vocation can be “Potentially emotionally difficult.”1
Citation:
1 Bass, Pat. “Radiation Therapist Jobs | All 50 Medical.” All 50 Medical. (Accessed June 16, 2022.)
While workplaces, geographical regions, and employers can vary by many factors, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national median annual pay for Radiation Therapists in May 2021 was $94,000.1*
*Compensation may vary depending on geographic expectations, costs of living, experience, qualifications, acumen, and other factors.
Citation:
1 “Radiation Therapists.” Www.bls.gov, United States Department of Labor. Mar. 31. (Accessed June 16, 2022.)
The American Cancer Society lists several professions that comprise radiation teams. According to the society, these are as follows:
Citation:
1 —. “How Radiation Therapy is Used to Treat Cancer.” Cancer.org, American Cancer Society. Dec. 27, 2019. (Accessed June 16, 2022.)
The vocation receives high rankings within multiple core employment areas. U.S. News ranked it #23 out of 100 Best Healthcare Jobs and #82 in 100 best jobs, with an overall job satisfaction scorecard of 5.8 out of 10, using an elusive mix of factors including median salaries, growth percentages, occupational stress levels, and work-life balance.1
Citation:
1 Staff. Radiation Therapist. U.S. News, 2022. (Accessed June 1, 2022.)
According to the ASRT, the following list is within a Radiation Therapist’s scope of practice. These include the following:
* Excludes limited X-ray machine operator
† Excludes medical dosimetry
Citation:
1 “The ASRT Practice Standards for Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Radiation Therapy.” American Society of Radiologic Technologists. June 23, 2019. (Accessed June 15, 2022.) Pgs 8, 9
Radiation Therapists are only allowed to perform procedures within their official scope of practice.
Yes. According to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, Radiologic Therapy professionals are vital members of multidisciplinary teams that form a core of highly trained healthcare professionals, bringing expertise to the area of patient care.1
Citation:
1 “The ASRT Practice Standards for Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Radiation Therapy.” American Society of Radiologic Technologists. June 23, 2019. (Accessed June 15, 2022.)
According to Radiology Info.org, Radiation Therapists use linear accelerators to deliver external beam therapy. Your radiation oncologist will determine the equipment most suited to your treatment. The linear accelerator is the most commonly used device for external beam therapy.1
Citation:
1 Radiology (ACR), Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), and American College of. “External Beam Therapy (EBT).” Radiologyinfo.org, Radiological Society of North America, Inc. (RSNA). Jan. 31, 2019. (Accessed June 16, 2022.)
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