Is radiation therapy for you?

Radiation therapy integrates high end technology with patient focussed treatment and care. Radiation therapists work with sophisticated computer based systems and constantly emerging technologies that help image and treat patients. Read more ...

25 weeks of practical experience

Professional placement is integrated throughout the program and commences in first year. Read more ...

Our graduates are highly employable

Graduates of the University of Newcastle’s radiation therapy program are highly regarded, and many of our graduates find employment prior to or soon after finishing their studies. Read more ...

Is radiation therapy for you?

Radiation therapy integrates high end technology with patient focussed treatment and care. Radiation therapists work with sophisticated computer based systems and constantly emerging technologies that help image and treat patients with cancer. You will participate in the testing, implementing and researching of new imaging and treatment equipment into practice.

To be a radiation therapist you need to be a good communicator who is focussed on the well-being of patients that are in your care for an extended period of time. You will communicate closely and extensively with patients and their families, and collaborate with a range of other health professionals. You will evaluate patients during their treatment and implement strategies to help patients if needed. As you develop, you will take on more responsibility in areas such as treatment protocol design, quality assurance, patient review, management and research. You will make decisions that will effect the delivery of services, and participate in continuing professional development.

25 weeks of practical experience

Professional placement is integrated throughout the degree and commences in first year. You will complete around 25 weeks of professional practice in cancer care hospitals and facilities over the course of your degree. You will need to undertake placements in various locations across the Hunter Region and across NSW, in both public and private hospitals. Interstate and overseas placements are possible. On your professional placements you will be mentored by qualified radiation therapists.

Preparing you with on-the-job experience

Throughout the degree you will have access to radiation therapy specific 3D planning and patient treatment labs on campus. These labs are designed to develop essential professional skills prior to placement. In the final year of the degree the lab work reviews emerging and futuristic professional practice and you work largely independently to learn advanced knowledge and skills on issues that will prepare you for your future. At university your learning will be designed around patient and clinical scenarios, and you will work with other students in collaborative group work tasks to solve the types of problems that you will encounter in clinical practice.

Our graduates are highly employable

Graduates of the University of Newcastle’s radiation therapy degree are highly regarded, and many of our graduates find employment prior to or soon after finishing their studies.

What is radiation therapy?

Radiation therapy is one of the main treatment options for patients diagnosed with cancer. Radiation therapists are the health care professionals who design and implement courses of treatment for patients with malignant disease with the aim of curing or alleviating the disease burden. Radiation therapies use anatomical imaging (CTs, MRIs,) and functional imaging (PET, bone scans) studies to map in 3D and 4D the sites of disease, and normal tissue and organ anatomy for patients. Radiation therapists use advanced software programs to design courses of treatment involving multiple, highly sculptured, high dose radiation beams, to target and destroy tumours, or radiation sources placed strategically within the body.

Radiation therapists then provide daily radiation treatment to patients using advanced patient immobilisation and treatment technologies that verify tumour and beam positioning prior to treatment. Patients are treated daily for up to six weeks. A cancer diagnosis and related treatment can cause physical and psycho-social effects. Radiation therapists have high levels of interaction with their patients, and they need advanced communication skills as they have a significant role in monitoring the wellbeing of patients undergoing treatment.

Use your degree overseas

Australia is recognised as a world leader in Medical Radiation Science (MRS). Our program is accredited by the Australian Institute of Radiography. A professional year is required after you graduate before applying for full professional accreditation as a Radiation Therapist. After this you can practice around the world. Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). Please be aware that the current standard English Language Competency for registration as a practitioner in your chosen health discipline in most states of Australia is an IELTS of 7.0.

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