Career Information
Career InformationThe Radiation Therapist functions as a member of the team of physician (Radiation Oncologist), physicist, medical dosimetrist, and nurse to provide treatment using ionizing radiation sources for patients with malignant and some benign diseases. The radiation therapist is responsible for the daily delivery of the prescribed therapeutic dose of radiation.
Radiation therapists are employed in radiation therapy facilities located in hospitals and freestanding centers. Individuals who have the necessary qualifications may be employed in educational programs sponsored by hospitals, colleges, or other qualified centers. Therapists can function as dosimetrists with additional education. A limited number of positions for certified therapist are available in research facilities of various types.
Radiation Therapy
The radiation therapy professional program teaches theory and techniques of radiation therapy technology. In conjunction with clinical rotations, students complete coursework in patient care, radiation safety, pathology, medical physics, radiation therapy principles, medical ethics, sectional and vascular anatomy, research methodologies, and CT and MRI courses. Emphasis is placed on competence in oncology treatment planning, treatment delivery, dosimetry, and use of megavoltage radiation-producing equipment to administer treatment.
Upon completing the program, graduates are eligible to apply for the national certification exam in radiation therapy. Students will have completed the course work, but not the clinical component, to be eligible to apply for the national certification exams in computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.
Program Information
This two-year program is selective and competitive; acceptance is not guaranteed. Students must satisfy all UI admission requirements, complete all prerequisites, and be accepted into the Radiation Therapy professional program following an application and selection process.
Students typically apply to this two-year program during their sophomore year and begin in the fall of their junior year. The application deadline is January 15.
The Radiation Therapy Program accepts up to ten students each year. The Program has two track options. Students in both tracks attend didactic classes on campus in Iowa City during their junior year and online during their senior year.
- Radiation Therapy – Greater Iowa City Area Only
- Up to 8 students are accepted.
- Students complete the junior and senior year clinical internships in the greater Iowa City area.
- Radiation Therapy - Senior Year Outside Affiliated Site
- Up to 2 students are accepted.
- Students complete most junior year clinical internships in the greater Iowa City area.
- For the summer semester and senior year, students are assigned, by the program, to an approved affiliated clinical site outside of the Iowa City area. See Clinical Internships below.
Students can apply to one or both track options.
Clinical Internships
The University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center serves as the primary affiliate clinical site of the Radiation Therapy Program. The department uses state-of-the-art imaging techniques and equipment to accurately deliver radiation therapy treatment. Other affilaiated sites include:
- University of Iowa Heath Care Medical Center (UMC) (200 Hawkins Dr, Iowa City, IA 52242)
- University of Iowa Heath Care Cancer Services Quad Cities-Radiation Oncology (UIQB) (1351 Kimberly Rd Suite 200, Bettendorf, IA 52722)
- Hall-Perrine Cancer Center (HPCC) (701 10th St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403)
- Nassif Community Cancer Center (NCCC) (202 10th St. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403)
- John Stoddard Cancer Center (JSCC) (1221 Pleasant St, Des Moines, Iowa 50309)
- MercyOne (250 Mercy Dr, Dubuque, IA 52001).
*Affiliated Clinical Settings are subject to change. Please contact the program if you have questions,or for more information, see “Clinical Internships” in Tuition, Fees, and Expenses.
Accreditation
The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine’s Radiation Therapy program is accredited by the
Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
312-704-5300
Email: mail@jrcert.org
The program’s current award is 8 years. General program accreditation information and the current accreditation award letter can be found here.
Links of Interest
Admitted Candidate Information
Therapy Program Student Handbook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Outlook
Mission, Goals & Student Learning Outcomes
Program Faculty
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Jared Stiles, MSL RT(R)(T) |
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Emily L. Heithoff, MHPTT, RT(R)(T) Clinical Coordinator, Radiation Therapy Ph: 319-467-9783 emily-heithoff@uiowa.edu |
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Laurie Calkins Administrative Services Coordinator, Division of Radiation Sciences 200 Hawkins Drive | Radiology, C725 GH Iowa City, Iowa 52242 (319) 356-3861 laurie-calkins@uiowa.edu |