Technical Standards for Radiation Therapy

Our program technical standards have been developed to help students understand nonacademic standards, skills, and performance requirements expected of a student in this particular curriculum.

If an accommodation is necessary to participate in the program, it is imperative to identify a reasonable accommodations to those students who qualify under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonableness is determined by Accessibility Resources and the program on a case-by-case basis utilizing the program technical standards. The accommodation needs to be in place prior to the start of the program, or it may delay your ability to start the program. It is the student’s responsibility to contact Accessibility Resources and request accommodations.

Skills Description Specific Examples
Motor Skills Students should be able to have gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and strength for the safe handling of patients, self and equipment. The student should be able to provide safe care for patients in various states of mobility and awareness.
  • Elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion, testing muscle strength, and function, penetration of the skin, and other diagnostic maneuvers.
  • Safely performs therapeutic procedures and/ or laboratory procedures.
  • Provide other patient services and patient associated services.
  • Safely lift, manipulate, and use equipment.
Vision/ Smell Students should have sight and smell sufficient enough for the safe handling of patients, self and equipment.
  • Skillful use of precision instruments such as microscopes, oscilloscopes, gauges, control panels and other electronic and digital equipment.
  • Observe and evaluate patient gait, skin changes, and chest sounds.
  • Observe the results of treatment(i.e.: skin changes)
  • Observe the results of stimuli(i.e.: medication reaction)
  • Observe changes in equipment operation ( i.e.: smell overheating)
Hearing Students should have hearing perception sufficient to monitor and assess patient needs and equipment operation for the safe handling of patients, self and equipment.
  • Hear a patient speaking in a normal tone.
  • Detect and evaluate monitor alarms and equipment alerts.
Technological Students should be able to use imaging systems and computers to ensure the safe handling of patients, self and equipment.
  • Able to operate medical computers and equipment to provide patient treatment.
Communication Students should have the ability to communicate both verbally and in writing so as to provide safe care of patients.
  • Elicit information (i.e.: questioning of the patient)
  • Describe changes in mood, activity and posture
  • Perceive nonverbal communication.
Critical Thinking/ Problem Solving Students are required to have conceptual, integrated and quantitative abilities to include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis and synthesis to accurately calculate the amount of radiation to be delivered to the patient.
  • Solve problems (i.e.: mathematical computation)
  • Comprehend three dimensional relationships (i.e.: anatomical relations)
  • Understand the spatial relationship of structures.
Interpersonal Skills Students must have the interpersonal skills to enable them to provide empathetic support to patients where quality care is dependent on a team approach.
  • Allow mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients, clients and fellow workers.
  • Tolerate physically taxing workloads.
  • Function effectively under stress
  • Adapt to changing environments (i.e.: flexible schedules)
  • Display flexibility and ability to function during uncertainty inherent in health care (i.e.: emergency conditions)
  • Display: compassion, empathy, integrity, concern for others, interest and motivation.
Environmental Tolerance Students should be able to work in an environment that is dimly lit and a temperature that is maintained at 72 degrees.
  • Patient procedures are performed in dimly lit treatment rooms and require the student to read both electronic screens and mechanical screens in the dimly lit environment.

This document is intended to serve as a guide regarding the physical, emotional, intellectual and psychosocial expectations placed on a student. This document cannot include every conceivable action, task, ability or behavior that may be expected of a student. Meeting these technical standards does not guarantee employment in this field upon graduation. Ability to meet the program’s technical standards does not guarantee a student’s eligibility for any licensure, certification exam, or successful completion of the degree program.