30+ partner clinics

Oregon

• Adventist Health
• Asante Rogue Regional Cancer Services
• Bay Area Hospital
• Clackamas Radiation Oncology Center
• Columbia Memorial Hospital
• Community Cancer Center
• Compass Oncology - Broadway
• Compass Oncology - West
• Samaritan Regional Cancer Center
• Kaiser Permanente Interstate
• Legacy Good Samaritan
• Legacy Mt Hood
• OHSU Knight Cancer Institute Community Hematology - Oncology
• OHSU Department of Radiation Medicine
• Providence Medford Medical Center
• Providence Portland Medical Center
• Providence St. Vincent
• Salem Health Cancer Center
• Sky Lakes Cancer Center
• St. Charles Medical Center
• Willamette Cancer Center

Washington

• Compass Oncology - Vancouver
• Legacy Salmon Creek
• MultiCare Capital Medical Center
• MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital
• PeaceHealth Southwest

Mission

Through the integration of both academic and clinical experience, the Radiation Therapy Program provides students the knowledge and skills necessary to become competent and ethical practitioners in the art and science of radiation therapy. Built on the three components of the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) equation for excellence — education, ethics and examination — the program's didactic and clinical requirements prepare graduates to take the ARRT national certifying exam. The program promotes a culture of ethical behavior and upholds the ARRT rules of ethics required for initial and continuing certification. This program's mission and goals align with those of OHSU and the School of Medicine.

Vision

To be a nationally recognized leader in radiation therapy education, professional collaboration and career development. Guided by professional and national standards, the program will provide well-rounded career education to radiation therapy students utilizing up-to-date didactic courses, diverse clinical experiences, advanced technologies and individualized mentorship.

Goals

Throughout the program, students will:

1. Demonstrate clinical competence
2. Demonstrate effective communication skills
3. Model professionalism
4. Develop critical thinking skills

Student learning outcomes

Upon completion of the Radiation Therapy Program, graduates will be able to:

• Apply foundational knowledge of ethics, physics, anatomy, physiology and oncology in the review and verification of all approved treatment plans, instructions, prescriptions and images to ensure that the information is consistent and valid before delivering any treatment.
• Demonstrate the ability to identify and define problems, critically compare options, make timely decisions or recommendations, identify uncertainties and use findings to improve outcomes in light of evolving evidence.
• Understand the value of community service and advocate for equitable change when barriers are identified in healthcare settings using social justice practices.
• Understand the value of continuing education and apply research skills toward increasing knowledge and understanding of current trends in the treatment and cure of cancer.
• Demonstrate active listening and oral and written communication skills with diverse individuals, communities and colleagues to ensure effective and accessible exchange of information.
• Demonstrate radiation therapy-specific behaviors and norms, as well as the ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary/interprofessional team in clinical decision-making and ethical problem-solving.
• Demonstrate the abilities required to foster and work effectively within diverse, collaborative, team-based environments.
• Demonstrate the ability to identify situations that compromise safety and participate in risk reduction and continuous quality improvement.
• Operate ionizing-radiation-producing equipment, recognize any inconsistencies or malfunctions and apply radiation safety practices to safely deliver an approved treatment plan for quality care.
• Demonstrate an appropriate understanding of evolving health care systems, health and science policy and resource allocation in order to optimize human health and scientific discovery.
• Collaborate with diverse patients, families and communities professionally, with integrity, using appropriate verbal and nonverbal communication.
• Recognize side effects or complications commonly associated with each treatment procedure and recommend the appropriate patient care, with respect for patient preferences, needs, attitudes, beliefs and values.
• Demonstrate competence in the core knowledge, skills and practices as defined by degree programs and relevant professional licensing and credentialing boards.

Licensure

The OHSU Radiation Therapy Program prepares students to pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Radiation Therapy Examination, the national benchmark to practice in the United States. OHSU is unable to monitor requirements for licensure in every state, and therefore is unable to determine if an OHSU program meets all requirements for licensure for a given state. You should always check with the individual states for the current expectations regarding licensure in that state. View additional information regarding licensure. 

Students participating in educational activities through NC-SARA, out-of-state learning activities or distance education, may follow the SARA complaint process. Learn more on OHSU’s Out-of-State Authorization page.

Radiation Therapy Program technical standards

For successful completion of the Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy degree program, candidates for graduation must possess the knowledge, skills, attitudes and judgment to function technically and provide patient-centered care in clinical situations. Candidates must demonstrate the capacity to develop academic and emotional maturity, as well as collaborative skills, to function effectively as part of a radiation oncology team. All students admitted to or completing the program must meet the following technical requirements, with or without reasonable accommodation:

1. Have the strength, motor coordination and manual dexterity to:

• Transport, move, lift or transfer patients from a wheelchair or stretcher to a patient support assembly (table). 
• Lift, move, adjust and manipulate a variety of devices and equipment necessary for procedures. 
• Arrange devices and equipment properly with respect to the patient and the treatment prescription according to established procedures and standards of speed and accuracy. 
• Physically place patients in the proper position for procedures according to established standards.

2. Have communication and interpersonal skills necessary to:

• Communicate verbally in an effective manner to deliver explanation and directions to patients as it relates to the procedure and patient care. 
• Communicate and interpret written or verbal instructions from therapists, physicians, physicists, dosimetrists and other personnel. 
• Record and verify all necessary treatment data.

3. Be capable of:

• Handling stressful situations related to emotional, technical and procedural standards and patient care. 
• Providing physical and emotional support to patients during procedures and responding quickly to situations requiring basic life support and emergency care in the absence of, or until, a physician arrives.

4. Have the mental and intellectual capacity to:

• Calculate and select proper technical factors according to individual prescriptions with accuracy and speed.
• View and evaluate digital imaging results to determine proper positioning, blocking and field arrangements.
• Document patient identification and other pertinent technical information as required.

Students and applicants who have questions regarding these technical standards or who believe they may need to request reasonable accommodation to meet the standards are encouraged to contact OHSU Student Access. 

OHSU technical standards

Explore OHSU’s technical standards.