Master of Radiation Therapy

This course provides advanced knowledge and skills for graduates with a background in science or health care to obtain a professional, entry level qualification, to work in the field of radiation therapy.

It provides a professional qualification at a postgraduate level of study.

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.

An integral component of the course is 57 weeks of clinical attachments completed over the two years.

Monash University currently has clinical placement agreements in New South Wales, ACT, Queensland and Victoria. Whilst the University endeavours to assist interstate students to find local clinical placements, this is not guaranteed.

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:

1. demonstrate a mastery of medical radiations science knowledge and be able to reflect critically on the theory, practice and scholarship of radiation therapy
2. 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
3. investigate, analyse, synthesise and reflect on complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply this knowledge and understanding to radiation therapy practice
4. 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
5. demonstrate and apply a knowledge of research principles, evidence based, reflective and ethical medical radiations science practice, as well as lifelong learning skills
6. communicate knowledge, findings and rationale underpinning these to the professional and lay community clearly, ethically and unambiguously.

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.

Special requirements

Before participating in a professional experience placement students must satisfy specific security checks and 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. Refer to the faculty's additional enrolment requirementsadditional enrolment requirements (http://www.med.monash.edu.au/enrolments/additional-enrolment-tasks.html) webpage.

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.

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 a total of 57 weeks over the two years.

This accreditation of this course with its previous title, the Master of Medical Radiations (Radiation Therapy) transitioned across when the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia was created in July 2012. The Master of Radiation Therapy is scheduled to be assessed by the Accreditation Committee of the Board in late 2016. 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 may apply for a 'Statement of Accreditation' issued by the Australian Institute of Radiography.

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

The course is structured in three parts. Part A. Advanced foundations for radiation therapy and professional practice, Part B. Evidence based radiation therapy and perspectives on professional practice, and Part C. Applied radiation therapy practice.

Part A: Advanced foundations for radiation therapy and professional practice

These studies will provide you with an orientation to the field of radiation therapy at advanced undergraduate level. They examine the foundational sciences underpinning medical radiation science, such as physics, radiobiology and dosimetry. These units also introduce you to anatomy, patho-physiology, oncology and radiation therapy planning, treatment and patient care. An introduction to the practice of radiation therapy and aspects your knowledge of the skills required for professional practice within the Australian health care system are also provided.

Part B: Evidence based radiation therapy and perspectives of professional practice

These studies will provide you with knowledge and skills relevant to thoughtful, innovative and evidence-based practice. You will acquire knowledge of medico-legal and ethical issues related to radiation therapy and oncology, and the impact of cancer on patients' psychological well-being. The units also continue to build on your knowledge of working as a professional in the Australian Health care system. Your knowledge of the applications of advanced skills will be further developed with respect to radiation therapy planning, treatment, imaging and patient care in different contexts.

Part C: Applied radiation therapy practice

The professional experience placements will enable you to connect the theoretical components of your course with the practical aspects of health care under the valuable guidance of practitioners.

The course requires the completion of 72 points including Part A (Advanced foundations for medical radiations), Part B (Evidence based radiation science, therapy planning and treatment) and Part C (Applied medical radiation practice).

Units are 6 points unless otherwise stated.

The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2016handbooks/maps/map-m6004.pdf) will assist you to plan to meet the course requirements, and guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Part A: Advanced foundations for radiation therapy and professional practice (24 points)

Students complete the following three units:

• RTS4101 Radiation therapy science 1 (6 points)
• RTS4102 Radiation therapy science 2 (12 credit points)
• RTS4103 Radiation therapy science 3 (6 points)

Part B: Evidence based radiation therapy and perspectives of professional practice (48 points)

Students complete the following five units:

• RTS5110 Radiation therapy science and practice 1 (6 points)
• RTS5101 Radiation therapy science 4 (6 points)
• RTS5102 Radiation therapy science 5 (6 points)
• RTS5103 Radiation therapy science 6 (12 credit points)
• RTS5104 Radiation therapy science 7 (12 credit points)
• RTS5105 Radiation therapy science 8 (6 points)

Part C: Applied radiation therapy practice (0 points)

Students complete three professional clinical experience placements:

• RTS5120 Radiation therapy science and practice 2 (0 points)