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  Better Treatment for Cancer Patients – $72.7m  Strengthening Cancer Care – $8.9m  Better Access to Radiation Oncology – $90.3m  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)  Bunbury (WA)  Darwin (NT)  Cairns (QLD)  Toowoomba (QLD)  Orange (NSW)  Lismore (NSW)  Launceston (TAS)

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  Multi-disciplinary teams work together to deliver care Radiotherapy Professions One Of A Kind:One Of A Kind  Radiation Oncologists  Radiation Therapists  Medical Physicists 6 Radiotherapy Professions

7 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 postgraduate 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. 8 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 9 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 10 Radiation Oncologists (The Faculty of Radiation Oncology, RANZCR)

11 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 - Accredited Training Sites Western AustraliaQueenslandVictoria Royal Perth Hospital Premion Group – Nambour Cancer CentreAndrew Love Cancer Centre Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Premion Group – Wesley/Chermside Cancer CentreAustin and Repatriation Cancer Centre Australian Capital Territory Premion Group – Tugun/South Port CentreBallarat Austin Radiation Oncology Centre The Canberra HospitalPrincess Alexandra HospitalWilliam Buckland Radiotherapy Centre New South Wales Radiation Oncology Mater Centre Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Calvary Mater Newcastle HospitalRoyal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital(Moorabbin, Bendigo and Box Hill) Liverpool and Campbelltown HospitalsSt Andrews Cancer Care Centre, Toowoomba South West Cancer CentreTownsville General Hospital Mater Misericordiae Hospital South Australia North Coast Cancer InstituteAdelaide Radiotherapy Centre Prince of Wales HospitalRoyal Adelaide Hospital Royal North Shore Hospital Tasmania Royal Prince Alfred HospitalRoyal Hobart Hospital St George HospitalWP Holeman Clinic, Launceston General Hospital St Vincent’s Hospital Westmead/Nepean Hospital Wollongong Hospital

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 precision using highly sophisticated computer-controlled equipment.

Radiation Therapy falls under the category of Medical Radiations Science. The course undertaken is either an undergraduate course:  The University of Newcastle  Queensland University of Technology  The University of Sydney  Charles Sturt University  RMIT University  University of South Australia or via a Graduate Entry Masters Course:  Monash University 15 Radiation Therapists (Australian Institute of Radiography)

Educational Prerequisites: As an undergraduate you need to gain your WACE at stages 2 and 3 or equivalent. Prerequisite subjects can include English, Maths, Physics and Human Biology. As a postgraduate you need to have an undergraduate degree, preferably with a health science base. Prerequisite subjects as above with bridging courses available. 16 Radiation Therapists (Australian Institute of Radiography)

KEY SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES  Good people skills  Verbal and non-verbal skills  Ability to work effectively both as part of a team and independently  Good problem solving skills and attention to detail 17 Radiation Therapists (Australian Institute of Radiography)

Workplaces Benefits:  Job opportunities  Make a difference to peoples lives  Cutting edge technology and high standards for optimal patient care  Research and development  Travel opportunities interstate and overseas  Variety of work settings, tasks and challenges  Teamwork and leadership opportunities  Variable working hours e.g. part time 18 Radiation Therapists (Australian Institute of Radiography)

Role of the Medical Physicist 19 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 e.g. 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 –Clinical Medical Physicist –Consultant –Radiation Safety Advisor –Medical Researcher –University Lecturer 20 Medical Physicists (Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine)

 Personal Attributes Good analytical and problem solving skills Good communication skills Ability to work independently and as part of a team Attention to detail  Educational prerequisites Undergraduate Degree in Science or Engineering with a strong Physics base and Maths Component Biomedical Science, including Anatomy and Physiology is an advantage 21 Medical Physicists (Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine)

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

23 Medical Physicists (Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine) Accredited postgraduate courses: University of Western Australia University of Adelaide RMIT University of Sydney University of Wollongong QUT

24 Medical Physicists - Accredited Training Sites Western AustraliaQueenslandVictoria Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital Premion Group – Nambour Cancer CentreAndrew Love Cancer Centre Perth Radiation Oncology Premion Group – Wesley/Chermside Cancer CentreRadiation Oncology Victoria Australian Capital Territory Premion Group – Tugun/South Port CentreBallarat Austin Radiation Oncology Centre The Canberra HospitalPrincess Alexandra HospitalWilliam Buckland Radiotherapy Centre New South Wales Radiation Oncology Mater Centre Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Calvary Mater Newcastle HospitalRoyal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital Liverpool and Campbelltown Hospitals Radiation Oncology Associates Radiation Oncology Institute South Australia North Coast Cancer InstituteAdelaide Radiotherapy Centre Prince of Wales HospitalRoyal Adelaide Hospital Royal North Shore Hospital Tasmania Royal Prince Alfred HospitalRoyal Hobart Hospital St George HospitalWP Holeman Clinic, Launceston General Hospital St Vincent’s Hospital Westmead/Nepean Hospital Wollongong Hospital

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)  National workforce training projects  Career information brochures through the professions  Site visits and tours can be organised

26 More Information and Feedback Come and visit our stand For more information, visit: The webpage includes links to the professional association websites (inc more details of accredited courses etc) For general information and feedback, please Feedback forms (in your kit): Please complete and place in our Suggestion Box located at our stall.