Career opportunities in Radiation Oncology Professions ACS Career Adviser Seminars 2011

1. Career opportunities in Radiation Oncology Professions ACS Career Adviser Seminars 2011

2. Overview • A World Class Cancer Care System • Career Choices that Help Save Lives • Radiation Oncologists (RANZCR) • Radiation Therapists (AIR) • Medical Physicists (ACPSEM) • Other initiatives to promote these Careers • More information and feedback

3. 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

4. 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

5. Improving Access in Regional Areas REGIONAL CANCER CENTRES Capital Works Projects ($560m over 5 years) • Cairns (QLD) • Toowoomba (QLD) • Orange (NSW) • Lismore (NSW) • Darwin (NT) • Launceston (TAS) • Bunbury (WA)

6. 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

7. Radiation Oncologists(The Faculty of Radiation Oncology, The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR))

8. Radiation Oncologists (The Faculty of Radiation Oncology, 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.

9. 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

10. Radiation Oncologists (The Faculty of Radiation Oncology , RANZCR) Educational pre-requisites • Medical degree • Two years general medical training as intern or resident in the hospital setting • Medical Registration

11. Radiation Oncologists (The Faculty of Radiation Oncology , RANZCR) RANZCR Training Program: 5 year training program undertaken while employed in a clinical position in an Accredited Radiation Oncology department • Phase I (18 – 24 months) • In-training (formative) assessment • Summative assessment • Phase II • Exit Exam

12. Radiation Oncologists (The Faculty of Radiation Oncology , RANZCR)

13. 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. 

14. 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.

15. Radiation Therapists (Australian Institute of Radiography) 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.

16. 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

17. 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

18. Radiation Therapists(Australian Institute of Radiography) Training: KEY SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES • Compassion • Strong interpersonal skills • Excellent communication skills • Very hands on teamwork approach • Technology

19. 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.

20. 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

21. 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 Role of the Medical Physicist • 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

22. Medical Physicists (Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine) 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

23. 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

24. Medical Physicists (Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine) Training Overview

25. 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

26. More Informationand Feedback Come and Visit our Stall For 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.