Radiation Therapy Program - Rochester, Minn.

Quick Facts

Program length: 12 months Prerequisites: Completion of an accredited program in radiography Granted: MSHS Certificate of Completion Patient interaction: High Placement outlook: Excellent

Program Description
Mayo School of Health Sciences (MSHS) at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., offers a 12-month Radiation Therapy Program. The one -year radiation therapy program provides the high-quality didactic and clinical experiences needed to create a well-rounded, competent entry level radiation therapist.

The Radiation Therapy Program integrates new treatment procedures, such as image guidance radiation therapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, and radiosurgery, with well established conventional treatments. You will learn about the most advanced delivery tools and techniques.

The Mayo Clinic Division of Radiation Oncology treats approximately 2,500 patients each year. Of those, 1,800 are new patients. This large medical practice allows you to gain experience with many tumor types and treatment techniques.

Mission Statement
The mission of the Radiation Therapy Program is to educate and prepare students through high-quality academic and clinical experiences to become competent certified radiation therapists who provide outstanding care to all patients.

The mission of the Radiation Therapy Program derives from Mayo Clinic’s standing as one of the leading international health-care organizations and our existence as a prominent top-ranking radiation oncology department.

Goals
To uphold our mission, the Radiation Therapy Program holds the following goals:

1. To graduate radiation therapy students who provide quality and competent care to patients.
2. To graduate students who are able to think critically, problem solve, and communicate effectively.
3. To graduate radiation therapy students that are professional and who engage in the profession and lifelong learning.
4. The program will meet the needs of its students and the health care organizations it serves.

Accreditation
This program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology:

Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology
20 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
(312) 704-5300
www.jrcert.org

Mayo Foundation is also accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Higher Learning Commission.

Higher Learning Commission
30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602-2504
(800) 621-7440
(312) 263-0456
Fax: (312) 263-7462
www.ncacihe.org

For more information or to enroll in the Mayo Clinic-sponsored Radiation Therapy Program, please contact the program director at Mayo School of Health Sciences:

Leila A. Bussman-Yeakel, Radiation Therapy Program Director
(507) 284-4148
E-mail: bussmanyeakel.leila@mayo.edu

Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
Mayo School of Health Sciences
Charlton Building, Desk R
200 First Street SW
Rochester, MN 55905

Facilities
Mayo Clinic’s Division of Radiation Oncology has exceptional patient care facilities with advanced therapy equipment, which includes linear accelerators with dual asymmetric jaws, multi-leaf collimators,  KV imagers with cone beam CT capabilities, electronic portal imaging, View Station and IMPAC treatment verification software.

The Rochester facility includes six linear accelerators, one fluoroscopic simulator and two CT simulators, an integrated brachytherapy unit, a hyperthermia unit, a dedicated Linear Accelerator intra-operative therapy suite, a Leksell Gamma Knife and eight three-dimensional treatment planning computers, all with CT/MRI interfacing.

The Mayo Clinic campus in Rochester is comprised of an extensive outpatient complex, Saint Marys Hospital, Rochester Methodist Hospital, and multiple research and education facilities. It is one of the largest, most advanced medical centers in the world.

Graduation Requirements and Certification
To successfully complete the program and receive a certificate in Radiation Therapy from Mayo School of Health Sciences, you must meet the following requirements:

• A cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale
• Successful completion of didactic course work and all clinical competencies
• Be in good standing with all program policies

Upon successful completion of the Radiation Therapy Program, you will receive a Certificate of Completion from Mayo School of Health Sciences.

Graduates may apply to take the National Registry Examination administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

Hours
For the majority of the program, your learning schedule will include eight-hour days, five days per week. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Class Size
Each year, Mayo School of Health Sciences admits five to eight students to its Radiation Therapy Program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. This ensures you will receive a comprehensive educational experience with one-on-one instruction.