Revised 2/2026

ROC 131 - Clinical Clerkship I (4 CR.)

Course Description

Introduces student to clinical setting and the basics of Radiation Oncology. Covers basic technical and patient care skills through supervised direct patient contact and phantom work.Lecture 1 hour. Laboratory 15 hours. Total 16 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

Students will learn and practice basic technical and patient skills for Radiation Therapy.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Prerequisite:ROC 131.

Course Objectives

  • The student is introduced to the clinical setting and the basics of Radiation Oncology. The student gains experience in basic technical and patient care skills through supervised direct patient contact and phantom work.
  • Develop competency in the performance of basic simulation and treatment procedures.
  • Demonstrate proper manipulation and operation of treatment and simulation equipment.
  • Demonstrate proper radiation safety practices and procedures.
  • Identify appropriate referral channels.
  • Practice basic patient care skills for patients undergoing radiation therapy treatments.
  • Participate in lab demonstrations and simulated procedures of radiation therapy examinations under study.
  • Identify anatomy displayed on simulation and port films.
  • Display self-kept records of radiation therapy procedures in which the student has assisted and performed.

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Physician CT/Simulation Order
  • CT/Simulation Techniques-Shift vs Non-shift
  • OARs and TD 5/5s
  • Electron Set-ups
  • Whole Brain vs. Partial Brain Set-ups
  • Primary Bone Set-ups
  • Spine and Cord Compressions
  • SSD vs SAD set-ups
  • Lung and SVC
  • Lung Scenarios
  • Shrinking Field Techniques
  • Magnification Factors
  • Inverse Square Law
  • Bladder and Kidney Cancer and Treatment Options
  • Contouring
  • Beam Weighting
  • Prostate, Penile, and Testicular Cancers and Treatment Options
  • Bariatric Patients
  • Hodgkin’s vs Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and Treatment Options
  • Head and Neck Cancers and Treatment Options
  • Advanced Imaging in Radiation Oncology