Understanding the three medical radiation streams Associate Professor Rob Davidson

Understanding the three medical radiation streams

Associate Professor Rob Davidson

Medical science with real vision

RMIT University©2008 Information Technology Services 2

Three professions served by this program

• Three professions

– Medical imaging

– Radiation therapy

– Nuclear medicine

• Two programs for entry into these professions

– Undergraduate degree. Three year program

– entry through VTAC

– Graduate entry Masters. Two year program

– direct applications


Medical Imaging previously radiologic imaging

Radiographers are health care professionals who assist in the diagnosis and management of patients via the acquisition of medical images through x-rays, angiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound and computed tomography (CT), to create optimal images of the structure in the body and data necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of disease and injury.












Radiation therapy

Radiation therapists are health care professionals primarily concerned with the design and implementation of radiation treatment and issues of care and well being for people diagnosed with cancer and other conditions.


RT Plan for a tumour on the base of the tongue.


Nuclear medicine

Nuclear medicine technologists (NMT) are health care professionals able to acquire medical images about organ function using radioisotopes. Current advanced techniques include single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET). NMT’s also treat patients with radioisotopes for conditions such a thyroid disease and some tumours.


SPECT scan of the brain.


Bachelor program overview

• The program meets professional accreditation and entry into the profession

• Strong clinical component, consisting of:

– Two weeks clinical placement in first year

– 10 weeks clinical placement in second year

– 10 weeks clinical placement in third year

• The program requires graduates to undertake an intern year to gain full accreditation by the profession.


Academic studies

• Anatomy and physiology

• Pathology

• Medical radiations methods

• Medical radiation technology / physics

• Psychology

• Research and statistics

• Digital imaging

• Hospital law and ethics


Full professional recognition

• Program is accredited by

– Australian Institute of Radiography (AIR)

– Australian and New Zealand Society for Nuclear Medicine (ANZSNM)

• Eligible for registration and licensing by the Medical Radiations practitioners board (Victoria).


Medical radiations outcomes

• Intern year

• 48 week paid professional practice

– Funded by department of human services (Victoria)

– Overseen by professional bodies

– ANZSNM (Nuclear medicine technologists)

– AIR (Radiation therapists and radiographers)

– May complete a PDY interstate

• Expanding career opportunities, both locally and overseas.

• Intern year

• 48 week paid professional practice

– Funded by department of human services (Victoria)

– Overseen by professional bodies

– ANZSNM (Nuclear medicine technologists)

– AIR (Radiation therapists and radiographers)

– May complete a PDY interstate

• Expanding career opportunities, both locally and overseas.


• A strong patient focus

• The latest in IT and Medical imaging / Therapy technology and instrumentation

• A team approach to patient care and practice, inclusive of all medical radiations disciplines

• High levels of responsibility and commitment to responsible professional practice

• Inherent requirements of students: www.rmit.edu.au/medical-radiations

Student characteristics


Why RMIT University?

• The first tertiary institution to offer a degree program in medical radiations

• The only tertiary institution in Victoria to offer all three streams at an undergraduate level

• The only tertiary institution in Victoria to offer all three streams as graduate entry masters

• Strong links with industry

• International recognition

• RMIT University has historically produced highly employable graduates

• The only three year undergraduate program in Victoria that allows students to earn full pay in their intern year.


VTAC entry (for 2011)

Prerequisites

• Units 1 and 2:

– Chemistry or biology

• Units 3 and 4:

– English (any) and

– Mathematical methods (either) and

– Physics or specialist maths

• Supplementary information form

– ENTER/ATAR: approximate - 80

Documents

Understanding the three medical radiation streams Associate Professor Rob Davidson