Postgraduate - CourseMaster of Medical Radiations

This course, offered by the Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences, is a two year, accelerated learning program with students undertaking comprehensive professional clinical experience as part of the course.

It enables students with a first degree in science or a related health discipline, to obtain a professional, entry level qualification at a postgraduate level of study. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply for general registration as a radiation therapist from the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia. Employment opportunities for graduates exist in both public and private health sectors, in metropolitan and regional Australia. This is the only distance learning graduate entry radiation therapy program offered in Australia and it may be available for interstate students to study in their home state.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9, the Bologna Cycle 2 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates will be able to:

• demonstrate a mastery of medical radiations science knowledge and be able to reflect critically on the theory, practice and scholarship of radiation therapy
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the scientific concepts and principles underpinning medical radiations science practice including optimisation of equipment, quality assurance and the biological consequences of ionising and non-ionising medical radiations
• investigate, analyse, synthesise and reflect on complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply this knowledge and understanding to radiation therapy practice
• assume the role of a qualified/accredited radiation therapist capable of independent and collaborative clinical decision making to perform the appropriate procedures to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of illness and injury and to provide optimal patient care
• demonstrate and apply a knowledge of research principles, evidence based, reflective and ethical medical radiations science practice, as well as lifelong learning skills
• communicate knowledge, findings and rationale underpinning these to the professional and lay community clearly, ethically and unambiguously.

Assessment

Assessment includes written assignments, case reports, examinations, clinical skills, examinations, student portfolios and presentations.

Special requirements

Students must refer to the information available on the special requirements outlined below. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure they have the correct documentation.

Police checks

Students must have a current Police check regarding their suitability to undertake placements. Refer to the faculty's police checkspolice checks (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/police-checks.html) webpage.

Working with Children checks

Students must have a current Working with Children check regarding their suitability to undertake placements. Refer to the faculty's Working with Children checksWorking with Children checks (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/wwc-check.html) webpage.

Immunisation and infection procedures

The faculty recommends that all students accept responsibility for having up-to-date immunisations before commencing this course. Recommended immunisations include diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, tuberculosis and hepatitis B. Refer to the faculty's Immunisation and infection riskImmunisation and infection risk (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/current/immunisation.html) webpage.

Health requirements

Upon enrolment, students are provided with detailed written information and, as appropriate, counselling about the effect that HIV or hepatitis B infection may have on the ability of health care workers to practise their profession. It is recommended that students discuss any concerns with their doctor or the University Health Service. Immunisations include diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella and hepatitis B.

Registration and English Language

Graduates are eligible to apply for registration as radiation therapists with the Medical Radiation Practitioners Board of Australia (MRPBA).

Note: It is the responsibility of graduates to meet the English Language Policy promulgated by the MRPBA.

The professional component of this course consists of up to five clinical attachments for a total of 62 weeks over the two years.

Monash University has clinical placement agreements and is therefore able to secure radiation therapy clinical placements in New South Wales, ACT, Tasmania, Queensland and Victoria. Contact the School of Biomedical Sciences for further information.

Clinical Expenses

Students are responsible for all travel and accommodation expenses during clinical placement. Uniforms and accessories are required for clinical placements and students will be notified regarding purchase arrangements upon commencement.

Students may be eligible to receive a scholarship, grant or payment from clinical centres during the program. Students who enter into such agreements or contracts with clinical centres do so outside any academic course requirements and any such arrangements are between the student and clinical centres.

This course is accredited by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to apply for general (full) registration as a radiation therapist from the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (subject to English language requirements), Graduates also meet the requirements for a 'Statement of Accreditation' issued by the Australian Institute of Radiography.

All students will be reqistered as student practioners with the Medical Radiations Practice Board through the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency.

This course consists of 10 compulsory units, encompassing academic and professional components.

Year one

Semester two

• MMR4001 Medical radiations science 1
• MMR4002 Medical radiations science 2
• MMR4003 Medical radiations science 3

Summer semester

• MMR4011 Medical radiations science and practice 1

Semester one

• MMR4004 Medical radiations science 4
• MMR4005 Medical radiations science 5
• MMR4006 Medical radiations rcience 6

Year two

Semester two

• MMR5001 Medical radiations science 7
• MMR5002 Medical radiations science 8
• MMR5011 Medical radiations science and practice 2

Summer semester

• MMR5011 Medical radiations science and practice 2

Semester one

• MMR5011 Medical radiations science and practice 2

• Radiography and medical imaging

Master of Medical Radiations (Radiation Therapy)