School of Radiation Therapy
​

The Northwestern Medicine School of Radiation Therapy prepares students for the clinical, theoretical, technical and psychological aspects of a career in Radiation Therapy.

The 14-month training begins in July and is limited to five to eight students per year. This is a full-time program; regular program hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm although students may need to arrive early or leave later on certain occasions. Students will be off six regular holidays per year:

• New Year's Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day

There will be a one-week holiday break from the end of December through early January each year.

The program begins in early July and ends in late August of the following year.

Learning how to deliver compassionate and quality patient care is emphasized. In Northwestern Medicine's state-of-the-art facility, students are taught with the most advanced technological and diagnostic equipment available, including:

• Varian Trilogy treatment unit with IMRT, VMAT, and on-board imaging capabilities
• Elekta linear accelerators with IMRT, VMAT, SRS/SBRT, and on-board imaging capabilities
• BrainLab/ExacTrac

• Philips CT Simulator
• BSD Hyperthermia Unit
• Nucletron High Dose Rate Unit
• Elekta Gamma Knife
• Treatment Planning Units (Nucletron Plato and Phillips ADAC)
• IMPAC electronic chart management system

Our experienced instructional staff includes:

• Board-certified radiation oncologists
• Resident physicians
• ARRT registered radiation therapists
• Medical physicists
• Medical dosimetrists
• Registered nurses
• Social workers
• Administrative and support staff

Hospital Mission Statement
Northwestern Memorial Hospital, our sponsor institution, is part of a premier integrated academic health system where the patient comes first. The core values of Northwestern Memorial Hospital are: 

• Integrity
  We adhere to an uncompromising code of ethics that emphasizes complete honesty and sincerity. Through our words and actions, we earn the complete trust of our patients and their families, our community, and our coworkers. We do the right thing.
  
  
• Patients First
  We put the patient first in all we do. Caring for the individual patient and his or her family is the heart of our mission and our philosophy.
  
  
• Excellence
  We continuously strive for excellence. We are always learning and improving our skills, programs and services.
  
  
• Teamwork
  We achieve our mission and goals through the collective and coordinated efforts of our staff. We use our diverse talents, backgrounds, ideas and experiences to benefit patients and create solutions. We value team success over personal success.
  
  

Program Mission Statement
The mission of the School of Radiation Therapy sponsored by Northwestern Memorial Hospital is to provide expert instruction, patient-centered clinical training, and ongoing professional development to the next generation of radiation therapists.

Program Goals
In support of the program's mission statement, the following goals have been developed:

• Students/graduates will demonstrate clinical competence.
  • Students/graduates will possess the technical skills required for clinical practice.
  • Students will be able to recognize and advise patients on radiation-induced side effects.
  • Students will be able to design and substantiate a treatment plan.
    
    
• Students will develop communication skills that result in an effective exchange of information and collaboration. 
  • Students will demonstrate effective oral communication skills.
  • Students will demonstrate effective written communication skills.
    
    
• Students/graduates will apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in clinical practice.
  • Students will recognize and resolve set-up discrepancies.
  • Students will demonstrate clinical competency for low-volume, high-risk procedures.
  • Graduates will demonstrate effective critical thinking and problem-solving skills during clinical practice.
    
    

• Students/graduates will demonstrate high standards of professional practice.
  • ​Students/graduates will adhere to high standards of ethical conduct and judgement.
  • Students/graduates will display professionalism in the clinical environment. 

 

• The program will meet the needs of the community by preparing students for excellence in  radiation therapy careers. 
  • Graduates will pass the ARRT national certification examination on the first attempt within six months of graduation.
  • Graduates actively seeking employment in radiation therapy will be employed within 12 months of graduation. 
  • Enrolled students will complete the program within 14 months.
  • Graduates will be satisfied with the program.
  • Employers will be satisfied with the performance of newly hired graduates.

Program Effectiveness Data

Program Completion Rate  

Class         Students Enrolled               Students Graduated          Program Completion Rate
​2016                       6                                                 5                                       83.3%
2017                       6                                                 5                                       83.3%
2018                       7                                                 6                                       85.7%
2019                       6                                                 6                                        100%
2020                       6                                                 6                                        100%

5-year average program completion rate (2016-2020): 90.5%

ARRT Certification Examination Pass Rates (for 1st attempt within 6 months of graduation)

Class          Students Took          Students Passed         % Pass Rate           
2016                    5                                       5                                 100%
2017                    5                                       5                                 100%
2018                    6                                       6                                 100%
2019                    6                                       6                                 100%
2020                  6                                    6                               100%

5-year average examination pass rate (2016-2020): 100%

In-field Job Placement Rate (within 12 months of program completion for those actively seeking):

Class           Number Seeking                 Number Employed                  % Employed
2016                    5                                               5                                         100%
2017                    5                                               5                                         100%
2018                    6                                               6                                         100%
2019                    6                                               6                                         100%
2020                    6                                               6                                         100%

5-year average in-field job placement rate (2016-2020): 100% 

Contact
School of Radiation Therapy
Northwestern Medicine
541 N. Fairbanks Court
Suite 950
Chicago, Illinois 60611
312.926.6609

Quicklinks

About Radiation Therapy
Curriculum and Academic Calendar
Faculty Members
Prerequisites
For Prospective Students

The Radiation Therapy program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Radiologic Technology. 

The program received the maximum accreditation award of 8 years in 2017. The next scheduled review will take place in the 2nd quarter of 2025.

​The JRCERT is located at:
20 N. Wacker Drive
Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606
312.704.5300