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Career opportunitiesin

Radiation OncologyProfessions

ACS Career Adviser Seminars 2011

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Overview

A World Class Cancer Care SystemCareer Choices that Help Save Lives

Radiation Oncologists (RANZCR)Radiation Therapists (AIR)Medical Physicists (ACPSEM)

Other initiatives to promote these CareersMore information and feedback

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Cancer Affects Thousands of Families

Risk of being diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85yrs, 1 in 2 for males, 1 in 3 for females

Incidence rose 27% between 1982 and 2007, from 383 to 485 per 100,000

Growth due mainly to ageing population

A small increase in the underlying cancer incidence rate is projected

Source: “Cancer in Australia: an overview, 2010” – AIHW/AACR

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Towards a World Class System of Cancer Care

Australian Government: investing over $2 billion 2002-03 Better Treatment for Cancer Patients – $72.7m

2004-05 Strengthening Cancer Care – $8.9m

2006-07 Better Access to Radiation Oncology – $90.3m

2009-10 A World Class Cancer Care System - $2.3 billion

• Significant investment by State/Territory Govts

• Working in partnership with the Professions

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Improving Access in Regional Areas

REGIONAL CANCER CENTRESCapital Works Projects($560m over 5 years)

Cairns (QLD)Toowoomba (QLD)Orange (NSW)Lismore (NSW)Darwin (NT)Launceston (TAS)Bunbury (WA)

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Radiotherapy Professions

Radiotherapy: An essential part of cancer treatment and care Involves the accurate and precise delivery of high doses of

radiation to carefully defined disease sites State-of-the-art technology is used by trained professionals Teams work together to deliver care

Radiotherapy Professions: Radiation Oncologists Radiation Therapists & Radiographers Medical Physicists

Image courtesy of the ACPSEM

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Radiation Oncologists(The Faculty of Radiation Oncology, The Royal

Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR))

A Radiation Oncologist: Is a doctor who has post-graduate training in

managing patients with cancer, in particular, using radiation therapy.

A Radiation Oncologist will work closely with other medical specialists, Radiation Therapists and Radiation Physicists as part of a multi-disciplinary team caring for patients with cancer.

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Radiation Oncologists (The Faculty of Radiation Oncology, RANZCR)

A Radiation Oncologist needs: High level inter-personal and communication skills

Ability to work as part of team

Compassion Interest in practical application of science and technology

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Radiation Oncologists (The Faculty of Radiation Oncology, RANZCR)

Educational pre-requisitesMedical degreeTwo years general medical training as intern or resident in the hospital settingMedical Registration

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Radiation Oncologists (The Faculty of Radiation Oncology , RANZCR)

Radiation Oncologists (The Faculty of Radiation Oncology , RANZCR)

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RANZCR Training Program:5 year training program undertaken while employed in a clinical position in an AccreditedRadiation Oncology department Phase I (18 – 24 months)

– In-training (formative) assessment– Summative assessment

Phase II– Exit Exam

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Radiation Oncologists (The Faculty of Radiation Oncology , RANZCR)

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Radiation Therapists(Australian Institute of Radiography)

Definition of Radiation Therapist A Radiation Therapist is a key member of the

professional team that manages the cancer patient's treatment. 

In conjunction with the Radiation Oncologists they are responsible for the design, accurate calculation and delivery of a prescribed radiation dose over a course of treatment to the patient. 

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Radiation Therapists (Australian Institute of Radiography)

Definition of Radiation Therapist The Radiation Therapist utilises sophisticated

imaging equipment and advanced computer systems to create a treatment plan to deliver the optimum dose to the tumour, specific to a particular patient and their diagnosis whilst minimising the dose delivered to healthy tissue. 

The Radiation Therapist will deliver the planned treatment with the same accuracy and precision using highly sophisticated computer-controlled equipment.

Educational Pre-requisites:Current Year 12 prerequisite Units 1 and 2—chemistry or biology;

Units 3 and 4—English (any) &

Mathematical methods (either) &

Physics or specialist mathematics.

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Radiation Therapists (Australian Institute of Radiography)

Radiation Therapy falls under the category of Medical Radiations Science. The course undertaken is either an undergraduate course, or via a Graduate Entry Masters Course

Queensland University of Technology The University of Newcastle The University of Sydney Charles Sturt University RMIT University Monash University University of South Australia Curtin University of Technology Central Queensland University

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Radiation Therapists (Australian Institute of Radiography)

Training: Training includes both

Academic & Clinical Facets

Some courses also conclude with one paid year of structured supervised practice

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Radiation Therapists (Australian Institute of Radiography)

Training:KEY SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES Compassion

Strong interpersonal skills

Excellent communication skills

Very hands on teamwork approach

Technology

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Radiation Therapists (Australian Institute of Radiography)

Workplaces Benefits: Stimulating and at times adrenaline filled working

environment Meet and assist people on their road to recovery Cutting edge technology and high standards for

optimal patient care Travel opportunities interstate and overseas Variety of work settings, tasks and challenges Teamwork and Leadership skills Variable working hours e.g. Part time.

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Radiation Therapists (Australian Institute of Radiography)

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Medical Physicists(Australasian College of Physical Scientists

and Engineers in Medicine)

• Four major specialties: • Radiation Oncology • Radiology• Nuclear Medicine• Radiation Safety

• All specialties are interrelated• Study paths are similar

Role of the Medical Physicist

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Medical Physicists (Australasian College of Physical Scientists

and Engineers in Medicine)

Radiation Oncology• Work within multi-disciplinary

team • Delivery of Radiotherapy in treatment of Cancer

Nuclear Medicine

• Safe handling, calibration and use of radionuclides for the diagnosis of patients• Eg PET Scan

Radiology• Application of radiation for diagnosis• Eg X-Ray, MRI, CT

Radiation Safety

• Present in all other specialties as well • Advice and

Consultation • Policy Development

Where could a career in Medical Physics lead? Medical Physicists are in High Demand in all areas of

Australia There are many roles which a qualified Medical Physicist

could undertake – Hospital Medical Physicist – Private Clinic Medical Physicist – Consultant – Radiation Safety Advisor– Medical Researcher– University Lecturer

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Medical Physicists (Australasian College of Physical Scientists

and Engineers in Medicine)

Pre-Requisites to becoming a Medical Physicist Personal

• Logical Thinking• Problem Solving• Good Communication skills- vast array of colleagues, professionals and members of public

Educational Undergraduate Degree in Science or Engineering with

• a strong Physics base and Maths Component • Biomedical Science, including Anatomy and Physiology is an advantage

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Medical Physicists (Australasian College of Physical Scientists

and Engineers in Medicine)

Training Overview

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Medical Physicists (Australasian College of Physical Scientists

and Engineers in Medicine)

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Other Activities to promote these Careers

Jobs Guide (for Years 10,11 & 12) Good Universities Guide (for students to inform

choice of university courses) New website “rocareers” National workforce training projects Career information brochures through the

professions Radiation Oncology Promotional Video

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More Informationand Feedback

Come and Visit our StallFor more information, visit: www.health.gov.au/rocareers

The webpage includes links to the professional association websites (inc more details of accredited courses etc)

For general information and feedback, please email: radiation.oncology@health.gov.au

Feedback Forms (in your show bag): Please complete and place in our “Suggestion Box” located at our stall.