Bachelor of Radiation Therapy

Overview

• Please watch our course videos, especially our radiation therapy video with Gaby Gibson, when considering the Bachelor of Radiation Therapy, as it is a professional degree, providing graduates with a highly specialised qualification.
• Study anatomy; medical physics; patient health-care needs; professional communication techniques; and ethical, legal and accountability issues, before specialising in photon therapy, electron therapy and megavoltage therapy.
• Your knowledge of cancer and medical radiation and underpinning theories is combined with clinical placement learning where you will practice your communication, caring and technical skills with real patients.
• Prepares you for a career as a radiation therapist in a major hospital or private institution, treating cancer patients and planning and delivering prescribed radiation doses.
• Graduate eligible for provisional accreditation by the Australian Institute of Radiography.
• Information for international students only: This course is only available to international students who have completed post-secondary qualifications in radiation therapy. Admission will be subject to successful completion of sufficient clinical placement experience in these qualifications.

Details

Why choose this course?

Radiation therapists help cancer patients through a challenging part of their lives. They not only plan and deliver highly accurate radiation treatment but also provide emotional support and care for patients. Typically a patient receiving radiotherapy will see the radiation therapist every day for several weeks and you will need to be able to demonstrate empathy and a caring nature towards a wide range of patients. Overwhelmingly, radiation therapists find that being at the forefront of patient care at this critical time in their patients’ lives, is a rewarding experience.

Please watch our course videos, especially our radiation therapy  video with Gaby Gibson, when considering studying the Bachelor of Radiation Therapy, as it is a professional degree, providing graduates with a highly specialised qualification. This course is not designed as a bridging course for a different career.

QUT has designed the course in consultation with clinical staff from radiation oncology departments to ensure you have advanced knowledge of new treatment techniques and equipment used in the workplace.

This course provides excellent graduate employment opportunities.

Course summary

The course features academic teaching concerning cancer, use of medical radiation and underpinning theories, combined with clinical placement learning where you will practise your communication, caring and technical skills with real patients.

During first year you will develop a solid grounding in anatomy and medical physics along with introductory knowledge of patient healthcare needs; professional communication techniques; and ethical, legal and accountability issues. Introductory studies in medical radiation and radiotherapy techniques are complemented with practical sessions using equipment in clinical departments. You will learn a range of skills including patient data acquisition, radiation dosimetry and the basic techniques of treatment delivery including beam direction and beam defining devices.

You will begin studies in complex techniques like photon therapy, electron therapy and megavoltage therapy, including techniques for specific sites. The use of computer software to assist with the optimisation of isodose distribution will be covered along with issues related to the interaction of radiation with tissue, dose measurement, and related quality assurance procedures. During this year you will complete practical exercise in clinical departments and undertake your first clinical placement period.

In final year you will continue to develop your skills through clinical placements in hospitals and practical classes using equipment in clinical settings. You will cover  the techniques of medical imaging used in the detection of cancer, along with future directions of three-dimensional treatment planning. You will progress to more complex and specialised techniques for child patients and patients with communicable diseases and learn important information about the biological effects of ionising radiation and the philosophy and protocol in radiation protection and quality assurance.

Career outcomes

As a radiation therapist in a radiotherapy department of a major hospital or private institution, you may become a member of a team treating cancer patients and be responsible for planning and delivering prescribed radiation doses.

Student registration

QUT automatically registers students enrolled in this course with the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia in accordance with the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009. Details about student registration are available from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency at www.ahpra.gov.au.

Professional recognition

Provisional accreditation by the Australian Institute of Radiography is being sought. Full accreditation requires the completion of an additional professional development year of clinical experience.

Units

Entry requirements

Course fees

Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. All fees are based on current fixed fee prices. We review fees annually.

Scholarships and financial support

You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.

View all scholarships