1. A career in…. Radiation Therapy Angelina Mercuri Radiation Therapist Austin Health Radiation Oncology Centre

2. What is Radiation Therapy? Radiation Therapy is the precise use of high energy radiation to treat cancer & other conditions Radiation Therapy is the precise use of high energy radiation to treat cancer & other conditions ~50-60% of cancer patients are treated with radiation ~50-60% of cancer patients are treated with radiationRADIATION External Beam RTBrachytherapy http://www.brachytherapy.com/prost-brachy.html

3. The Radiation Oncology Team Radiation Oncologist Radiation Therapist Radiation Physicist Nurse Dietitian Occupational Therapist Social Worker Admin Staff

4. The Radiation Oncology Team Radiation Oncologist Radiation Therapist Radiation Physicist Nurse Dietitian Occupational Therapist Social Worker Admin Staff

5. The Radiation Therapist’s role Radiation Therapists are responsible for the design of treatment plans & the administration of radiation treatment to cancer patients Radiation Therapists are responsible for the design of treatment plans & the administration of radiation treatment to cancer patients

6. Following the prescriptions of Radiation Oncologists, Radiation Therapists use simulators &/or CT scanners to identify areas to be treated & those to be avoided Following the prescriptions of Radiation Oncologists, Radiation Therapists use simulators &/or CT scanners to identify areas to be treated & those to be avoided Patients are immobilised using specially designed equipment Patients are immobilised using specially designed equipment

7. Planning involves developing a customised treatment plan that delivers precise radiation dose to the diseased area, with minimal dose to healthy surrounding tissue Planning involves developing a customised treatment plan that delivers precise radiation dose to the diseased area, with minimal dose to healthy surrounding tissue A variety of imaging modalities are utilised to aid in definition of the target volume/diseased area A variety of imaging modalities are utilised to aid in definition of the target volume/diseased area

8. Treatment involves positioning & stabilising patients & operating treatment machines & computer verification systems to precisely deliver the planned treatment Treatment involves positioning & stabilising patients & operating treatment machines & computer verification systems to precisely deliver the planned treatment Patients are monitored during treatment, with the Radiation Therapist advising about self-care &/or referring the patient to other members of the team Patients are monitored during treatment, with the Radiation Therapist advising about self-care &/or referring the patient to other members of the team

9. Study Pathway Study Pathway Medical Radiations Undergraduate Degree RMIT Year 12 Non Year 12 & Mature Age Students Master of Radiation Therapy MONASH Biomedical Science Other Qualification 4 yrs 2 yrs OR

10. My career path 2000-2002Bachelor of Biomedical Science 2000-2002Bachelor of Biomedical Science 2003-2005 Master of Radiation Therapy 2003-2005 Master of Radiation Therapy - Physics & Instrumentation for Radiation Therapy - Professional Practice - Clinical Studies - Radiobiology & Dosimetry - Radiation Therapy Planning & Treatment - Clinical Research in Radiation Therapy 2005- Qualified Radiation Therapist - Austin Health 2005- Qualified Radiation Therapist - Austin Health

11. Application of Science in RT Anatomy & Pathology: Performing image acquisition & interpretation to localise tumour volumes Anatomy & Pathology: Performing image acquisition & interpretation to localise tumour volumes Physics: Modeling beam arrangements on planning computers to maximise tumour dose & minimise dose to healthy surrounding tissue Physics: Modeling beam arrangements on planning computers to maximise tumour dose & minimise dose to healthy surrounding tissue Physiology: Identifying & giving self-care instructions to patients with radiation side effects Physiology: Identifying & giving self-care instructions to patients with radiation side effects Psychology: Dealing with the psychosocial issues associated with cancer diagnosis & treatment Psychology: Dealing with the psychosocial issues associated with cancer diagnosis & treatment

12. Research in Radiation Therapy Development of departmental protocols Development of departmental protocols Presentation at national & international conferences Presentation at national & international conferences Publication at national & international levels Publication at national & international levels

13. Opportunities for Radiation Therapists Specialised procedures: Specialised procedures: Stereotactic RT & Radiosurgery Stereotactic RT & Radiosurgery Intensity Modulated RT Intensity Modulated RT Total Body Irradiation Total Body Irradiation Brachytherapy Brachytherapy Research Research Administration/Managerial experience Administration/Managerial experience Education/Student supervision Education/Student supervision Postgraduate study Postgraduate study

14. Timely Advice Keep an open mind Keep an open mind Choose a career that meets your interests & makes you happy Choose a career that meets your interests & makes you happy Attend information sessions & open days Attend information sessions & open days Consider work experience in your chosen field Consider work experience in your chosen field A scientific mind can be applied to challenge oneself in many ways A scientific mind can be applied to challenge oneself in many ways Age is no barrier to success- don’t be afraid to set the bar high Age is no barrier to success- don’t be afraid to set the bar high

15. THANK YOU & GOOD LUCK