Description
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.
Currently NSW clinical placement centres have a requirement that students undertaking clinical are from their state. This is a requirement as they are offering the clinical placements to be able to fill their future workforce. Without fulfilling these requirements we would not be able to offer these places to applicants. The current admissions process includes offering to applicants based on a ranking which combines their academic and Situational Judgement test. These rankings do not take into account clinical locations. We will adjust the offering of applicants by rank but taking into account the location of applicants and clinical placement requirements.
Outcomes
These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).
Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you 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.
Mandatory Compliance
If you are undertaking a course with clinical or fieldwork placements you must demonstrate compliance with the following checks and requirements. For more information refer to the Mandatory ComplianceMandatory Compliance (http://www.monash.edu/medicine/study/student-services/mandatory-compliance) webpage and carefully read the Clinical/Fieldwork Placement HandbookClinical/Fieldwork Placement Handbook (http://www.monash.edu/medicine/study/student-services/policies/clinical-fieldwork-placement). It is your responsibility to ensure that the correct documentation is obtained prior to commencing clinical/fieldwork placements.
Police checks
A current national and/or international Police check is required regarding suitability to undertake clinical/fieldwork placements.
Working with Children checks
A current Working with Children check is required regarding suitability to undertake clinical/fieldwork placements.
Immunisation and vaccination requirements
In accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council recommendations, this course requires that you comply with the faculty's Mandatory ComplianceMandatory Compliance (http://www.monash.edu/medicine/study/student-services/mandatory-compliance) requirements regarding immunisation and vaccination. These requirements are designed to provide maximum protection against the increased risk of some vaccine preventable diseases for students, patients and workers in health care settings.
You are required to have certain specified vaccinations and have your blood borne virus status determined, before commencement of clinical/fieldwork placement. Non-compliance of this requirement may result in you being unable to undertake the clinical/fieldwork placement, with the attendant academic consequences. If you test positive to a blood borne virus (including HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C) you will be required to consult a specialist medical practitioner approved by the faculty to provide advice on any necessary restrictions on work practices to protect patients and others from infection.
Health requirements
Upon enrolment, you 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 you discuss any concerns with your doctor or the University Health Service.
Registration and English Language
You are eligible to apply for registration as radiation therapists with the Medical Radiation Practitioners Board of Australia (MRPBA).
Note: It is your responsibility to meet the English Language Policy promulgated by the MRPBA.
Fieldwork
The professional component of this course consists of a total of 57 weeks over the two years.
Clinical expenses
You are responsible for all travel and accommodation expenses during clinical placement. Uniforms and accessories are required for clinical placements and you will be notified regarding purchase arrangements upon commencement.
You may be eligible to receive a scholarship, grant or payment from clinical centres during the course. If you enter into such agreements or contracts with clinical centres, you do so outside any academic course requirements and any such arrangements are between you and the clinical centres.
Professional recognition
The Master of Radiation Therapy is accredited, with conditions, by the Medical Radiation Practice Board of the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Upon successful completion of the program, you 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).
You will be registered as a student practitioner with the Medical Radiations Practice Board through the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency.
Structure
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. You 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 of 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.
Requirements
The course requires the completion of 72 points including Part A. Advanced foundations for medical radiations (24 points), Part B. Evidence-based radiation science, therapy planning and treatment (48 points), and Part C. Applied medical radiation practice (0 points).
Units are 6 points unless otherwise stated.
The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2019handbooks/maps/map-m6004.pdf) provides guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.
Part A. Advanced foundations for radiation therapy and professional practice (24 points)
You must complete:
- RTS4101 Radiation therapy science 1
- RTS4102 Radiation therapy science 2 (12 points)
- RTS4103 Radiation therapy science 3
Part B. Evidence-based radiation therapy and perspectives of professional practice (48 points)
You must complete:
- RTS5110 Radiation therapy science and practice 1
- RTS5101 Radiation therapy science 4
- RTS5102 Radiation therapy science 5
- RTS5103 Radiation therapy science 6 (12 points)
- RTS5104 Radiation therapy science 7 (12 points)
- RTS5105 Radiation therapy science 8
Part C. Applied radiation therapy practice (0 points)
You must complete three professional clinical experience placements:
- RTS5120 Radiation therapy science and practice 2 (0 points)
The professional component of this course consists of a total of 57 weeks over the two years.
Please note: NSW clinical placements are only available to NSW residents.
