Course Title: Radiation Therapy 4

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Radiation Therapy 4

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

RADI1180

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

160H Medical Sciences

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 2 2015,
Sem 2 2016

RADI1180

Bundoora Campus

Undergraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2017,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 2 2019,
Sem 2 2020

Course Coordinator: John Ryan

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7909

Course Coordinator Email: john.ryan3@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 201.08.016


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Required prior study (Pre-requisites)

 
Required concurrent study (Co-requisites)

 

It is expected that you are able to demonstrate knowledge and capabilities from all prior courses undertaken in accordance with your enrolment program structure for your Medical Radiations program plan.

Work Integrated Learning:


Students enrolled in this course will be required to undertake placement as part of the assessment of the course. A number of requirements must be met by students to ensure eligibility for placement. Further details on each of these are available in Part B of the Course Guide and on MyRMIT.

• National Police check
• Working with Children Check
• Immunisation Declaration Form
• Hand Hygiene certificate
• First Aid Certificate
• CPR Certificate
• Manual Handing certificate

There is no flexibility with these requirements. It is your responsibility to ensure THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE COMPLETED. Any student who has not provided this information will not be able to attend placement and will receive a fail grade for the placement course.

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability you should contact the Program Coordinator or the Equitable Learning Services team for further advice. Students need to be able to meet the inherent requirements of the program.

At any time prior to or during your placement if there are concerns raised related to your fitness to practice the clinical coordinator can request that you gain full medical clearance to continue your placement.


Course Description

This course is a capstone course and as such will include summative assessment tasks that evidence program level learning outcomes and graduate attributes, including communication skills. You will integrate related learning from related previous courses including Introduction to Radiation Therapy, and Radiotherapy 1, 2 and 3. You will extend your knowledge, skills and their application relating to contemporary and advanced Radiation Therapy practice.

This course includes a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Experience in which your knowledge and skills will be applied and assessed in a real or simulated workplace context and where feedback from industry and/or community is integral to your experience. WIL activities include clinical placement in an approved radiotherapy centre where you will work under supervision from a registered clinical practitioner.  


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes for BP148 Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Radiations) (aligned to the Accreditation Standards of the Medical Radiations Practice Board of Australia):

Standard 1.1 Professional and ethical conduct

1.1a. Practice in an ethical and professional manner, consistent with relevant legislation and regulatory requirements

1.1b. Provide each patient/client with an appropriate level of dignity and care

1.1c. Under supervision demonstrate the ability to assume responsibility, and accept accountability, for professional decisions

1.1d. Under supervision demonstrate the ability to advocate on behalf of the patient/client, when appropriate within the context of the practitioner’s particular division of registration

Standard 1.2 Communication and collaboration

1.2a. Communicate clearly, sensitively and effectively with patient/client and your family or carers

1.2b. Collaborate with other health professionals

Standard 1.3 Evidence based practice and professional learning

1.3a. Apply critical and reflective thinking to resolve clinical challenges

1.3b. Identify ongoing professional learning needs and opportunities

Standard 1.4 Radiation safety and risk management

1.4a. Implement safe radiation practice appropriate to your division of registration

1.4b. Protect and enhance patient/client safety

1.4c. Confirm and operate equipment and instrumentation safely as appropriate to your division of registration

1.4d. Maintain safety of self and others in the work environment appropriate to your division of registration

1.4e. Safely manage radiation and radioactivity in the environment

Standard 1.5 Practice in medical radiation sciences

1.5a. Apply an understanding of anatomy, physiology and pathology that is appropriate to your division of registration

1.5c. Use patient information management systems appropriately

1.5d. Confirm the procedure according to clinical indicators

1.5e. Assess patient/client’s capacity to receive care

1.5f. Delivery patient/client care appropriate to your division of registration

1.5g. Manage and manipulate 3D datasets for diagnostic image production

1.5h. Apply knowledge of pharmaceuticals and contrast materials/media relevant to your division of registration

Standard 1.8 Practice in radiation therapy

1.8 1a. Apply knowledge of stabilisation devices related to radiation therapy

1.8 1b. Apply treatment simulation techniques

1.8 1c. Apply knowledge of treatment planning

1.8 1d. Implement computed tomography (CT) imaging for oncologic treatment planning

1.8 1e. Implement treatment techniques according to approved plans

1.8 2b. Under supervision demonstrate the ability to alert the appropriate health professional when you observe significant findings of a medically urgent nature


On successful completion of this course you should be able to:

  1. Perform and critically evaluate a wide range of complex radiotherapy pre-treatment (including planning) and treatment techniques.
  2. Demonstrate consistently high standards of professional behaviour, interpersonal and patient care skills in both simulated and authentic contexts to meet the standards of a medical radiations practitioner.
  3. Critically evaluate the clinical management options for a range of complex tumour sites.
  4. Critically evaluate the importance of a holistic approach to clinical management and patient care.
  5. Utilise 3D planning software to design and optimise dose distributions for complex planning techniques, including VMAT, IMRT and stereotactic techniques.
  6. Critically apply knowledge of dosimetry principles and critical appraisal of literature to plan evaluation of advanced complex 3D planning techniques.
  7. Critically reflect on your role in the team, strengths and development needs and a range of key learning experiences and be able to implement a logical action plan for future personal and professional development.


Overview of Learning Activities

You will participate in a range of teacher directed learning activities including lectures, tutorials and laboratory classes which will comprise 60 hours. You are also expected to undertake an equivalent 60 hours of independent learning. Both the tutorial and problem based learning classes provide the opportunity for peer to peer support and collaboration.

Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training (VERT) simulation, attendance at a work-integrated learning (WIL) clinical placement and self-directed study. Learning relevant to CLO 7 will occur during the 5 week clinical placement.

This course is supported by RMIT's online Learning Management System (LMS), where the teaching schedule, lecture resources and other relevant material to encourage self directed learning, will be available.


Overview of Learning Resources

You will have access to the Eclipse Treatment-Planning systems and the Aria Oncology Information System.

You will have access to the VERT training suite which simulates the treatment room including in room lasers, a treatment couch and a virtual linear accelerator.
Access to the stabilisation lab includes varied patient stabilisation devices and equipment necessary to manufacture efficast masks.
Lecture notes and recordings (where applicable) will be available on the course Learning Management System as well as an extensive list of library resources. The Medical Radiations Subject Guide (URL: http://rmit.libguides.com/medical-radiations) provides useful references


Overview of Assessment

All hurdle requirements for this course are indicated clearly in the assessment regime that follows, against the relevant assessment task(s) and all have been approved by the College Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Teaching).

A hurdle requirement is necessary in order to demonstrate to an accrediting body that students are competent and being sufficiently assessed against practice-focussed professional standards throughout the course of their program

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Clinical Placement (HURDLE Requirement)

Weighting 0% 

Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

This assessment task supports CLOs 1 & 2

Assessment Task 2: Professional Development Journal

Weighting 30% 

This assessment task supports CLO 7

Assessment Task 3: Plan evaluation

Weighing 40%

This assessment task supports CLOs 5 & 6

Assessment Task 4: Examination

Weighting 30%

This assessment task supports CLOs 3, 4, & 6