— College of Allied Health Professions — Academics — Our Programs — Radiation Therapy — Admission Requirements — Technical Standards

Technical Standards

UNMC is committed to diversity and to attracting and educating students who will make the population of health care professionals, representative of the national population. The following technical standards are required of all students enrolled in the Radiation Therapy program:

Acquire Information

Acquire information from demonstrations and experiences in courses, lab and clinical rotations.
Acquire information from written documents and computer systems.
Acquire information from machine warm-up procedures which are necessary for quality evaluation of proper radiation administration.
Identify anatomic structures when performing imaging prior to administering radiation treatments.
Recognize and assess patient changes in mood, activity, cognition, verbal and non-verbal communication.

Use and Interpret

Use and interpret information from assessment techniques/maneuvers.
Use visual ability to properly align laser lights, equipment and central ray on patients in a dimmed light environment.
Use visual abilities to distinguish between shades of gray or colors on medical images to appropriately align anatomy prior to administering radiation.
Use auditory abilities to provide safe and efficient patient care.

Motor

Possess psychomotor skills necessary to perform radiation therapy treatments.
Practice in a safe manner, provide life support procedures, and use universal precautions against contamination.

Communication

Communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and families.
Communicate effectively with faculty, preceptors and all members of the health care team during clinical rotations and other learning experiences.
Accurately elicit information, as needed, to adequately and effectively evaluate and report a patient’s condition.

Intellectual Ability

Exercise proper judgment and complete responsibilities in a timely and accurate manner according to the radiation therapist role.
Synthesize information, problem-solve, and think critically to judge the most appropriate adaptation of patient positioning.

Behavioral

Maintain mature, sensitive, effective relationships with patients, families, students, faculty, staff, preceptors and other professionals under all circumstances.
Exercise skills of diplomacy to advocate for patients in need.
Possess emotional stability to function under stress and adapt to rapidly changing environments inherent to the classroom and practice settings.

Character

Demonstrate concern for others.
Integrity, accountability, interest and motivation are necessary personal qualities.
Demonstrate intent and desire to follow UNMC and Radiation Therapy program policies.

Revised 1/6/2022

The technical standards delineated above must be met with or without accommodation. Students who, after review of the technical standards, determine they require reasonable accommodation to fully engage in the program, should contact the UNMC Accessibility Services Center (ASC) to confidentially discuss their accommodations needs. Given the clinical nature of our programs, time may be needed to implement the accommodations. Accommodations are never retroactive; therefore, timely requests are essential and encouraged.

Reasonable accommodations are provided for students who are registered with UNMC Accessibility Services Center (UNMC ASC) and make their requests sufficiently in advance. For more information, contact UNMC ASC (Location: Student Life Center, Suite 2030;
Phone: 402.554.2872, Email: unmcasc@unmc.edu).