Appendix E to Part 75 - Standards for Accreditation of Educational Programs for Radiation Therapy Technologists
42:1.0.1.6.62.0.15.4.14 : Appendix E
Appendix E to Part 75 - Standards for Accreditation of Educational
Programs for Radiation Therapy Technologists A. Sponsorship
1. Educational programs may be established in:
(a) Community and junior colleges, senior colleges, and
universities;
(b) Hospitals, clinics, or autonomous radiation oncology centers
meeting the criteria for major cancer management centers or meeting
demonstrably equivalent standards;
(c) Medical schools; and
(d) Postsecondary vocational/technical schools and
institutions.
2. The sponsoring institution and affiliates, if any, must be
accredited by recognized agencies or meet equivalent standards.
When more than one clinical education center is used, each must
meet the standards of a major cancer management center.
3. When didactic preparation and supervised clinical education
are not provided in the same institution, accreditation must be
obtained by the sponsoring institution for the total program. This
institution will be the one responsible for admission, curriculum,
and academic credit. The accredited institution shall be
responsible for coordinating the program and assuring that the
activities assigned to the student in the clinical setting are
educational. There shall be a uniform, written, affiliation
agreement between the accredited institution and each clinical
education center, clearly defining the responsibilities and
obligations of each.
B. Curriculum
Educational programs of 24 months and 12 months or their
equivalents may be developed. A 24-month program shall admit those
candidates with a high school diploma (or equivalent) as outlined
in D.1. The 12-month program shall be designed for those students
admitted with backgrounds as outlined in D.2.
Instruction must follow a plan which documents:
1. A structured curriculum with clearly written course syllabi
which describe competencies and learning objectives to be achieved.
The curriculum shall include but not necessarily be limited to the
following:
(a) Orientation to radiation therapy technology;
(b) Medical ethics and law;
(c) Methods of patient care;
(d) Medical terminology;
(e) Human structure and function;
(f) Oncologic pathology;
(g) Radiation oncology;
(h) Radiobiology;
(i) Mathematics;
(j) Radiation physics;
(k) Radiation protection;
(l) Radiation oncology technique;
(m) Radiographic imaging; and
(n) Clinical dosimetry.
The curriculum must include a plan for well-structured
competency-based clinical education.
2. Assignment of appropriate instructional materials.
3. Classroom presentations, discussions, and demonstrations.
4. Supervised clinical education and laboratory practicum.
5. Evaluation of students to assess knowledge, problem-solving
skills, and motor and clinical competencies.
6. Program graduates must demonstrate competencies including,
but not limited to, the following:
(a) Practice oral and written communications;
(b) Maintain records of treatment administered;
(c) Perform basic mathematical functions;
(d) Demonstrate knowledge of human structure, function, and
pathology;
(e) Demonstrate knowledge of radiation physics in radiation
interactions and radiation protection techniques;
(f) Provide basic patient care and cardiopulmonary
resuscitation;
(g) Deliver a planned course of radiation therapy;
(h) Verify physician's prescribed course of radiation therapy
and recognize errors in computation;
(i) Demonstrate awareness of patterns of physical and emotional
stress exhibited by patients;
(j) Produces and utilize immobilization and beam directional
devices;
(k) Prepare commonly used brachytherapy sources;
(l) Demonstrate knowledge of methods of calibration of
equipment, and quality assurance;
(m) Prepare isodose summations;
(n) Detect malfunctioning equipment;
(o) Apply rules and regulations for radiation safety, and detect
defects which might pose a radiation hazard;
(p) Understand the function of equipment and accessories;
(q) Demonstrate knowledge of methods of continuing patient
evaluation (follow up);
(r) Apply wedge and compensating filters;
(s) Recognize patients' clinical progress, complications, and
demonstrate knowledge of when to withhold treatment until
consultation with the physician; and
(t) Interact with patients and families concerning the physical
and psychological needs of patients.
C. Resources
1. Program Officials. The program must have a qualified
program official or officials. Primary responsibilities shall
include program development, organization, administration,
evaluation, and revision. A program director is necessary; other
program officials may be required.
(a) Program Director - (1) Responsibilities.
- The director of the educational program shall be responsible for
the organization, administration, periodic review, continued
development, and general effectiveness of the program. The program
director's responsibilities in teaching, administration, and
coordination of the educational program in radiation therapy
technology shall not be adversely affected by educationally
unrelated functions. - In a college-sponsored program, or a
hospital-sponsored multiple affiliate program, the program director
shall be an employee of the sponsoring institution. A schedule of
regular affiliate visits must be maintained.
(2) Qualifications.
- Must be a technologist qualified in radiation therapy technology
and educational methodologies. - Must be credentialed in radiation
therapy technology or possess suitable equivalent qualifications. -
Must have at least two years' experience as an instructor in an
accredited educational program.
(b) Clinical Supervisor. Each clinical education center
shall appoint a clinical supervisor.
(1) Responsibilities. The clinical supervisor shall be
responsible for the clinical education and evaluation of students
assigned to that clinical education center.
(2) Qualifications. Must be a technologist, with suitable
experience, qualified in radiation therapy technology and
educational methodologies and must be credentialed in radiation
therapy technology.
(c) Medical Director/Medical Advisor -
(1) Responsibilities. The medical director/medical
advisor shall work in consultation with the program director in
developing the goals and objectives of the program and implementing
the standards for achievement.
(2) Qualifications. The medical director/medical advisor
shall be a qualified radiation oncologist certified by the American
Board of Radiology, or shall possess suitable equivalent
qualifications.
2. Instructional Staff - (a) Responsibilities. The
instructional staff shall be responsible for submitting course
outlines for each course assigned by the program director;
evaluating students and reporting progress as required by the
sponsoring institution; and cooperating with the program director
in the periodic review and upgrading of course material.
(b) Qualifications. The instructors must be individually
qualified, must be effective in teaching the subjects assigned, and
must meet the standards required by the sponsoring institution.
(c) Instructor-to-Student Ratio. The
instructor-to-student ratio shall be adequate to achieve the stated
objectives of the curriculum.
(d) Professional Development. Programs shall have a
policy that encourages continuing education in radiation therapy
technology and assures ongoing instruction for the faculty in
curriculm design and teaching strategies.
3. Financial Resources. Financial resources for continued
operation of the educational program must be assured.
4. Physical Resources - (a) General. Adequate
classrooms, laboratories, and other facilities shall be provided.
All affiliated institutions shall provide space required for these
facilities.
(b) Equipment and Supplies. Appropriate modern equipment
and supplies in sufficient quantities shall be provided.
(c) Laboratory. Energized laboratories must meet Federal
and/or State radiation and safety regulations.
(d) Reference Materials. An adequate supply of up-to-date
books, periodicals, and other reference materials related to the
curriculum and the profession shall be readily available to
students.
(e) Records. Records shall be maintained as dictated by
good educational practices.
5. Instructional Resources. Instructional aids such as
clinical materials, reference materials, and demonstration and
other multimedia materials must be provided.
D. Students Admission
1. Applicants must be high school graduates (or equivalent) with
an educational background in basic science and mathematics.
2. For admission to a 12-month program, the candidate must
satisfy one of the following requirements:
(a) Graduation from an accredited or equivalent program in
radiography.
(b) Successful completion or challenge of courses in the
following prerequisite content areas:
- Radiation physics; - Human structure and function; - Radiation
protection; - Medical ethics and law; - Methods of patient care; -
Medical terminology; and - Mathematics.
(c) Successful demonstration of the following competencies:
- Practice oral and written communications; - Perform basic
mathematical functions; - Demonstrate knowledge of human structure
and function; - Demonstrate knowledge of radiation physics in
radiation interactions and radiation protection techniques; -
Provide basic patient care and cardiopulmonary resuscitation; -
Demonstrate awareness of patterns of physical and emotional stress
exhibited by patients; - Apply rules and regulations for radiation
safety, detect defects which might pose a radiation hazard, and
maintain control, if a radiation accident occurs; and - Interact
with patients and families concerning patients physical and
psychological needs. E. Continuing Program Evaluation
1. A process for periodic and systematic review of the program's
effectiveness must be documented and reflected in policies.
2. Program evaluation shall include the employment performance
of recent graduates.
Note:
Educational programs accredited by an organization recognized by
the United States Department of Education are considered to have
met these standards.