If you want to be a radiation therapist, there are numerous radiation therapy schools in Texas that you can attend.
All programs in radiation therapy have practical or clinical requirements that will let you come into close contact with real patients while being supervised.
For those in Texas, this article contains a list of the top radiation therapy schools in Texas with program overviews.
Top Best Radiation Therapy Schools In Texas
1. Amarillo College
Radiation therapy associate’s degrees are available at Amarillo College in a 24-month curriculum consisting of 1,500 hours of clinical training and daytime classes.
Throughout the program, students will conduct five clinical practicums in addition to their on-campus education.
Oncology, technical methods, medical terminology, and anatomy are all included in the coursework.
Amarillo College is one of the top radiation therapy schools in Texas with an electrified lab for practicing radiation methods.
Radiographers and nurses can also enroll in this program, which they can finish in 16 months.
The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology has recognized the programs, and graduates are qualified to sit for the ARRT exam and submit an application for ARRT credentials.
2. Galveston College
Located close to Houston, Galveston College is one of the top radiation therapy schools in Texas.
The oldest program of its kind in the state, the radiation therapy program was founded in 1978.
Apart from a certificate program for licensed radiographers, Galveston College also provides an associate’s degree in radiation therapy.
Students participate in classroom coursework and clinical practicum activities within the programs.
The associate’s program takes 71 credit hours, while the certificate program takes 34 credit hours.
The five-semester curriculum includes intensity-modulated radiation therapy treatments, applications of brachytherapy, image-guided radiation therapy, tomotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, and cyberknife treatment procedures.
The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology and the American Registry of Radiologic Technology accredited this program so graduates can sit for the ARRT exam and submit an application for ARRT credentials.
3. Texas State University – San Marcos
Texas State University, a public research university situated next to the San Marcos River, was founded in 1899.
Through its College of Health Professions, Texas State University – San Marcos grants a bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy.
Students who enroll in the JRCERT-accredited program take biology, medical terminology, health law, radiation oncology, and radiobiology courses.
Simulated labs and guided clinical experiences are also included in the curriculum.
Texas State University – San Marcos collaborates with 16 cancer hospitals to provide clinical teaching, and it also features a computer lab specifically for dosimetry and treatment planning.
Students can also practice using linear accelerator treatment machines on a sophisticated simulator while attending Texas State University.
The university also invites students to join the Radiologic and Imaging Sciences Honor Society’s Texas Chapter.
4. The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is one of the top radiation therapy schools in Texas, Houston.
Through the School of Health Professions, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center grants a bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy.
Students must complete didactic courses in clinical radiation oncology, human pathology, dosimetry and treatment planning, and digital imaging.
As part of the curriculum, students must participate in clinical experiences where they receive practical training in therapeutic therapy, treatment planning, and simulation.
Students also have access to various medical conferences and a cutting-edge oncology facility.
In addition to being a place of learning, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center also provides cancer care and research.
Studying on campus allows students to complete their clinical requirements in the radiation oncology department.
This course can also be studied online with clinical placements completed at a nearby facility that is linked.
5. University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center
This is a certificate program in radiation therapy offered by the School of Health Professions at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
This is a 21-month, full-time program that exclusively provides classes on weekdays.
The 65-hour program covers ethical concerns in radiation therapy, medical imaging, and cancer nursing.
Students get practical experience in all key facets of radiation therapy practice, including patient care, medical dosimetry, and treatment planning and delivery.
At the Zale Lipshy University Hospital’s Annette Simmons Stereotactic Treatment Center, Moncrief Radiation Oncology Center, and Simmons Radiation Oncology, clinical experiences are provided.
Graduates are prepared to pass the radiation therapy certification exam given by the ARRT.
6. The College of Health Care Professions
With its headquarters in Houston, Texas, and other campuses spread out around the state, The College of Health Care Professions (CHCP) is a private, for-profit institution for allied health professions.
This Academy of Health Care Professions was established in 1988 by the doctors of MacGregor Medical Association, a clinic affiliated with Texas Medical Center.
The Texas Workforce Commission gave the academy permission to offer allied health education and training in 1990.
Practicing After Radiation Therapy Schools In Texas
You must have a license to practice to work as a radiation therapist in Texas and you must get professional qualifications from a recognized educational institution to obtain your license.
Obtaining professional qualifications also assures employers and other parties about the expertise and understanding of the credentialed therapist.
Individuals must meet certain educational requirements, pass an exam, and agree to respect the ethical standards established by ARRT to acquire professional credentials from ARRT.
The licensing of radiation therapists falls under the general category of radiologic technicians, which is administered by the Texas Medical Board.
Before processing the application for licensing, the TMB requires applicants to finish a pre-screening document-gathering stage.
Documents required include a full transcript of the educational program finished, a copy of the ARRT credentials, identity verification, and a criminal background check.
Educational Requirements
The completion of an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in any topic from an approved educational institution is one of the prerequisites for receiving professional certifications from the ARRT.
You also need to finish a training course designed especially for radiation therapists. A radiation therapy associate’s or bachelor’s degree can be used to satisfy both criteria.
The ARRT Standard of Ethics document outlines the moral standards for earning ARRT qualifications.
Candidates’ application materials must include answers to particular questions about ethics.
Examination Requirements
In three years, you are given three chances to pass the ARRT exam.
There are about 200 questions on the computer-based test, and it takes four hours to complete. To pass, candidates must have a scaled score of 75.
The exam checks your understanding of radiation oncology’s underlying principles, quality patient care, comfort planning, and delivery of therapy.
The completion of Continuing Education credits every two years and Continuing Qualification credits every ten years is required to maintain ARRT qualifications.
FAQ
How long does it take to become a radiation therapist in Texas?
Texas colleges and universities offer certificate, associate, and bachelor’s degree programs in radiation therapy. A bachelor’s degree could equip you for career growth, while a 2-year degree is typically required for employment.
What degree is best for a radiation therapist?
You must first obtain an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in radiation therapy to work as a radiation therapist. One of the highest-paying careers that only need an associate degree is radiation treatment.
Is radiation therapy School Hard?
No, becoming a radiation therapist is not difficult.
Are radiation therapists in demand?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment in radiation therapy will increase by 9% by 2028, outpacing the national average.
What other jobs can a radiation therapist do?
– Physical therapist assistant.
– Radiation oncologist.
– Radiologic technologist.
– Health administrator.
– Radiation therapist.
– Dosimetrists.
– Radiation physicist.
What is the career path for a radiation therapist?
To grow in their careers, radiation therapists may supervise radiation therapy programs in hospitals, educate, work in technical sales, or conduct research.
What does a radiation therapist do on a daily basis?
Patients are given treatment plans explanations and treatment-related inquiries by radiation therapists.
What undergraduate degree is best for radiology?
The most popular undergraduate degrees for those aspiring radiologists are physics, biology, and chemistry.
What is a degree in radiology called?
A bachelor’s degree in radiologic technology is also referred to as a bachelor’s in radiologic science or radiography or even a bachelor’s in radiology.
How many hours does a radiation therapist work a day?
Typically, radiation therapists put in 40 hours a week. Radiation therapists only work throughout the day, however, certain radiation therapists are obligated to be on call and may have to provide services outside of their regular hours due to emergencies.
Conclusion
Various radiation therapy schools in Texas offer certificate, associate, and bachelor’s degree programs.
A bachelor’s degree could equip you for career growth, while a 2-year degree is typically required for employment.
If you are certain that working as a radiation therapist is the appropriate career move for you, you can choose to enroll in one of the top radiation therapy schools listed in this articles.
