CSB013 Introduction to Radiation Therapy
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | CSB013 |
|---|---|
| Corequisite(s): | CSB111 and PCB272 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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Unit Outline: Semester 1 2027, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | CSB013 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Co-requisite: | CSB111 and PCB272 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | Prior to commencing placement students must have successfully completed the following requirements: QLD Health Student Placement requirements including immunisations, National Police Check, Blue Card and current CPR certificate |
| Coordinator: | Trudy Otter | t.otter@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This introductory Radiation Therapy unit is the first in a series of units which will focus on foundation skills and knowledge that underpin radiation therapy. The following semester unit specific to radiation therapy, CSB025 Principles of Radiation Therapy Planning and Treatment, will build on these skills.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Describe the role and function of radiation therapists (MRPBA Domain 1.7d)
- Explain the histology, pathology and management of cancer at a foundational level (MRPBA Domains 1.1b, 1.1c)
- Explain the principles of radiation oncology, treatment technology and patient care including social and cultural determinants of health (MRPBA Domains 1.5a, 1.5b, 1C.1a, 1C.3a, 1C.3b, 1C.3c, 1C.3d, 1C.3e, 1C.4a, 2.1d, 2.2a, 2.2c, 2.2d, 3.2a, 3.2b, 5.2a, 5.2c, 5.2d)
- Describe the professional, ethical and legal responsibilities for a Radiation Therapists scope of practice (MRPBA Domains 2.1a, 2.1b, 2.1c, 5.1a, 5.2a) Relates to NSQHS Standard 6
- Identify the different types of medical imaging used in radiation therapy (MRPBA Domains 1.3a, 1.3b)
Content
Introduction to the roles of the Radiation Therapist.
Introduction to radiation therapy planning and treatment
Introduction to the pathology and histology of cancer
Patient pathway, including socio-cultural factors and care of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Introduction to Medical Imaging
Introduction to stabilisation devices
Introduction to safe work practices and infection control (Relates to NSQHS Standards 3 and 7)
Professional, ethical and legal requirements eg. AHPRA, Radiation Licencing
Activities using MS Copilot to aid understanding of GenAI benefits and limitations for research
Clinical observation during Work Integrated Learning
The learning outcomes for this unit address elements of the domains for the professional capabilities for medical radiation practice for the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia (MRPBA). Each learning outcome is mapped to the relevant MRPBA domain.
Learning Approaches
This unit adopts a blended learning approach combining face-to-face lectures with software virtual environments. The lectures will provide the theoretical background knowledge and introduce you to key concepts relating to the principles of Radiation Therapy. These will be complemented with practical sessions utilising the Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training (VERT) to consolidate your understanding of radiation therapy practice within a safe supervised environment. Knowledge and skills will be further applied during Work Integrated Learning experiences. A short clinical placement during semester 1 will provide you with an observation opportunity for the operation and functioning of a radiation therapy department. Both content and organisation is designed for you to assess your progress in the unit and the course and for you to gather evidence of meeting unit and course outcomes.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Assessment items are designed to measure your ability to meet the knowledge and skills indicated in the learning outcomes. Students must achieve a satisfactory level of performance in this unit to achieve a passing grade and enable progression.
Feedback is provided throughout the semester, where work is reviewed and assessed. Feedback will aim to provide students with suggestions for further development of academic skills as well as suggestions for further study where appropriate.
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
- a range of formative exercises will be discussed in class.
- comments on summative assessment work in addition to criteria sheets
- criteria sheet grading
- feedback from your clinical supervisor both during and at the end of your placement.
Assessment
Overview
Assessment tasks will require you to provide evidence of your knowledge, skills and application of foundation principles of Radiation Therapy, in a variety of formats, which are aligned with the learning outcomes of the unit and course.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Report
In this written report, you will be required to demonstrate your understanding of the patient pathway for a patient undergoing radiation therapy. Knowledge of the patient pathway is essential to ensure that patients treated in the clinical setting are provided with the highest standards of care, and you will demonstrate this knowledge during the CSB013 clinical placement.
As part of this assignment, you will be required to provide examples of how GenAI tools were used in researching and developing the report, and you will be assessed on your responsible and ethical use of GenAI tools in the marking rubric (CRA).
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
Assessment: Examination
In this assessment, you will be completing a theory examination, consisting of short answer responses. You will be required to demonstrate your understanding of patient care and the fundamentals of simulation, planning and treatment.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
QLD Health Student Placement requirements including:
- Immunisations
- National Police Check
- Blue Card
- Current CPR Certificate
- N95 mask fit testing
- Completion of QLD Health online orientation modules and checklist
Radiation badge: supplied by QUT before the commencement of clinical placement
Blue Card
A blue card is required to complete this unit. A blue card confirms that you have passed a screening of your criminal history (the Working with Children Check) and have been approved to work with children and young people. For more information on the blue card and how to apply please visit the QUT website.
Costs
- Clinical uniform (requires purchase of QUT MRS shirt)
- Cost and organisation of all vaccinations is the responsibility of the student
- Cost and organisation of obtaining current CPR Certificate is the responsibility of the student
- Cost and organisation of obtaining National Police Check and blue card is the responsibility of the student
- All Work Integrated Learning placement costs, including travel and accommodation expenses, are the responsibility of the student.
Resources
Additional resources are located on the Canvas site for this unit.
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
A range of literature from journals including:
1. International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics
2 Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice
3. Medical Dosimetry
4. Radiotherapy and Oncology
5. Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences (JMRS)
Barrett, A. Dobbs, J., Morris, S., Roques, T.(2009). Practical Radiotherapy Planning (4th ed.). Hodder Arnold.
Gunderson L, Tepper J and Bogart J. (2016) Clinical radiation oncology (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.
Risk Assessment Statement
The risks associated with this unit relate to the operation of radiation therapy equipment in the clinical departments. You will receive instructions on safety. Placement in a radiation therapy department has inherent radiation risks, which are minimised by following safe work practices as taught during pre-clinical units. Students must adhere to the Radiation Safety and Protection Plan of the site they are rostered to, and wear the radiation badge provided by QUT for the clinical placement.
Standards/Competencies
This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.
MRPBA Professional Capabilities 2020
Domain 1: Medical radiation practitioner
Relates to: ULO2
Relates to: ULO2
Relates to: ULO5
Relates to: ULO5
Relates to: ULO3
Relates to: ULO3
Relates to: ULO1
Domain 1C: Radiation therapist
Relates to: ULO3
Relates to: ULO3
Relates to: ULO3
Relates to: ULO3
Relates to: ULO3
Relates to: ULO3
Relates to: ULO3
Domain 2: Professional and ethical practitioner
Relates to: ULO4
Relates to: ULO4
Relates to: ULO4
Relates to: ULO3
Relates to: ULO3
Relates to: ULO3
Relates to: ULO3
Domain 3: Communicator and collaborator
Domain 5: Radiation safety and risk manager
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.CS49 Bachelor of Radiation Therapy
- Principles and applications of radiation therapy
Relates to: Report, Examination - Treatment Planning
Relates to: Examination - Treatment Delivery
Relates to: Report, Examination - Patient assessment and clinical management
Relates to: Report, Examination - Pre-treatment preparation and stabilisation
Relates to: Examination - Reflective, ethical practitioner
Relates to: Examination - Cultural safety
Relates to: Report, Examination
CS50 Bachelor of Radiation Therapy (Honours)
- Principles and application of radiation therapy
Relates to: Report, Examination - Treatment Planning
Relates to: Examination - Treatment Delivery
Relates to: Report, Examination - Patient assessment and clinical management
Relates to: Report, Examination - Pre-treatment preparation and stabilisation
Relates to: Examination - Reflective, ethical practitioner
Relates to: Examination - Cultural safety
Relates to: Report, Examination