Course Title: Radiation Therapy Practice 4

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Radiation Therapy Practice 4

Credit Points: 12.00

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
RADI1149	Bundoora Campus	Undergraduate	160H Medical Sciences	Workplace	Sem 2 2006, Sem 2 2007, Sem 2 2008, Sem 2 2009

Course Coordinator: Cathy Jager

Course Coordinator Phone: 03 99257973

Course Coordinator Email: cathy.jager@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 201.8.17

Course Coordinator Availability: Thursdays

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

This course builds upon the capabilities and knowledge developed in clinical practice in the courses Radiation Therapy Practice 1, 2 & 3. This clinical placement will extend your experiences to examine more advanced radiation therapy techniques, by drawing on your knowledge base gained from Radiation Therapy Methods 3 and Radiation Therapy Technology 3.

Refer to the current program summary for pre-requisite and co-requisite courses.

Course Description

This course is the final clinical component of the program and as such requires you to be actively engaged in the clinical environment and demonstrate the appropriate level of skills and understanding of a graduate radiation therapist.  The course will encourage you to use a problem solving approach to clinical practice with greater emphasis on research, evaluation and reflection. Competency in radiation therapy planning and treatment will require the demonstration of a level of clinical decision-making, informed from a well developed understanding from previous learning modules in technology, practice and methods courses. You will be encouraged to think independently while critically reflecting on practice with an evidence-based approach. 


The format of this course is clinical attendance in a designated and accredited clinical radiation therapy department, where the student will be supported by appropriately trained clinical staff. The learning will also be supplemented by weekly tutorials at the university during non-clinical weeks.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

As a student of this course you will demonstrate the ability to function and contribute as a valuable member of the radiation therapy team. You will be expected to apply the principles of advanced radiation therapy techniques, and adapt and apply prior knowledge to a range of clinical scenarios including those of advanced complexity whilst demonstrating safe and accurate practice. You will demonstrate the ability to assess and respond to the needs of the patient and interact with the multidisciplinary team in order to provide excellent quality patient care.

In addition to the learning outcomes established in Semester 1, by the end of this course you should be able to:
• Work as a fully integrated member of the clinical team
• Communicate effectively and professionally with patients, carers and within the multidisciplinary team
• Provide appropriate patient care for all routine situations with the ability to adapt to new or unusual situations
• Independently demonstrate safe and accurate practice at all times
• Participate in treatment and planning for more advanced techniques including H&N, and the use of Electron Beam Therapy
• Assist and demonstrate knowledge of planning and treatment principles for specialist treatment areas for example stereotactic and brachytherapy)
• Effectively produce and critically evaluate a range of more advanced dosimetric plans and explain the intentions of treatment, dosimetric principles and organs at risk
• Demonstrate reflective practice skills and the ability to synthesise theoretical concepts with clinical practice and communicate these both verbally and in written submissions to an appropriately high standard.

Overview of Learning Activities

This course is a workplace course, and as such will comprise a 5 week block release in an accredited centre, and supervised by an appropriately qualified practitioner. The learning activities may comprise of , but not limited to , actual clinical practice, threaded discussion participation, active tutorial participation and presentation.

Overview of Learning Resources

Students will be provided with information via myRMIT assignment details, assessment criteria, and relevant journal articles for discussion.  Students will also particpate in online discussions to encourage ongoing reflection.

Overview of Assessment

Students will be assessed via the submission of assignments, clinical case studies and associated practical assessments, reflective journals,  online discussions and through assessments by clinical and RMIT academic staff.