Radiation Therapy Education - Students
Radiation Therapy Education - Students - Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
| Our Radiation Therapy Education & Development Unit provides specialist services to support the training, development and education of radiation therapists, radiation oncologists, allied health practitioners, undergraduate students and students undertaking work experience. | ||||
| ||||
| Education Activities include: | ||||
| ||||
| Work Experience | ||||
| The Radiation Therapy Services Department accepts students in Years 11 and 12 into a Work Experience programme. Students must be studying appropriate pre-requisite subjects. The programme runs from 2 days - 1 week, during which time the student is rostered through the various areas of the Department with activities and progress closely monitored by the Education & Development staff. Each year, Radiation Therapy Services accepts approximately 20 Work Experience students. Liaison with schools is conducted through the Education & Development Unit. Staff also regularly attend school career nights and there is frequent interaction with schools' career teachers. | ||||
| Career Open Days | ||||
| A Career Open Day is organised by Radiation Therapy Services in conjunction with the Diagnostic Imaging, Nuclear Medicine and Physical Sciences Departments. Staff and University providers are available on the day for tours and discussion. Students, parents and teachers are all welcome. | ||||
| A Career as a Radiation Therapist | ||||
| What is Radiation Therapy? | ||||
| Radiation Therapy is the treatment of cancer and other diseases with high energy x-rays. X-rays or ionising radiation, damages the DNA within the cell, and causes the cell to die. Normal cells are also affected by radiation, but, unlike cancer cells, they have the ability to repair some of the radiation damage. Because of this it is important that treatment is delivered very precisely, giving a high dose of radiation to the tumour and minimising dose to normal tissue. | ||||
| The Role of the Radiation Therapist | ||||
| The radiation therapist is a key member of the professional team that manages and treats cancer patients. The radiation therapist is responsible for designing and delivering radiation therapy treatments as prescribed by a radiation oncologist - the medical specialist. The Radiation Therapist (RT) is involved in all aspects of a patient's journey through their radiation therapy by – • Providing guidance and support to the patient and their carers through the process of radiotherapy. • Utilising simulators and/or CT scanner to image the patient and delineate areas that need to be treated and those that need to be avoided. • Being responsible for the planning and dosimetry (radiation dose calculation) of a patient's treatment. • Designing and manufacturing auxiliary equipment. • Administering the radiation treatment. Radiation Therapists work closely with patients and other health professionals, so radiation therapists need compassion, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to be a team player. They also need to have scientific skills and knowledge. | ||||
| Becoming a Radiation Therapist | ||||
| Currently in Victoria there are 2 ways of becoming a Radiation Therapist: 1. RMIT - Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Radiations - Radiation Therapy) | ||||
| ||||
| Entry Requirements: | ||||
| ||||
| 2. Monash University - Master of Radiation Therapy (Post Graduate Program) | ||||
| ||||
| Entry Requirements: | ||||
| ||||
| Please note: Please see the universities’ websites for current information. | ||||
| Websites to Visit | ||||
| RMIT University | ||||
| Monash University | ||||
| Contact us | ||||
| Email: RTEducation@petermac.org. | ||||
| Postal Address: Locked Bag No. 1, A'Beckett Street, Victoria, 8006 |
