Radiation Therapy

Course Outline
The MSc Radiation Therapy is an intensive pre-registration programme for students with a primary degree in a subject other than Radiation Therapy. The programme uses the learning and teaching methods that best support students to develop the knowledge, skills, application of knowledge and skills, and professional attributes commensurate with practice. The course includes a high level of student support including the psychosocial aspects both in the university and in the hospital environment. The aim of this programme is to provide each student with an excellent academic and clinical educational experience.

The constantly evolving nature of healthcare requires that our programme not only prepares students for current healthcare practice but that it produces graduates who will act as agents for future change and progress. The type of people suited to radiation therapy are problem solvers and critical thinkers who possess the analytical skills necessary to work in a highly complex and rapidly evolving field. Communication skills, oral and written, are essential. However, to be a radiation therapist, you must be able to attain more than just academic and technical proficiency. You must possess the compassion and sensitivity necessary to provide for the physical and psychological comfort of the patient. You must be able to communicate effectively with your fellow health care professionals as well as the patients and their families. If you have these qualities, this exciting and challenging field can offer you great satisfaction and career security.

We, therefore, aim to equip our graduates with the clinical and research skills, and professional attributes required to work and develop as competent clinicians, researchers and agents for change within the evolving healthcare environment. The Radiation Therapy programme is to be situated in the School of Medicine, part of the College of Medicine and Health. The College is located in the western end of the UCC campus and enjoys state of the art facilities where Radiation Therapy will be co-located.

Clinical Placements will take place in the hospitals of CUH, Bons Secours Cork and UPMC Whitfield, Waterford.

Modules

Year 1
Code Module Name Credits Semesters
RA6101 Biological Sciences for Health Professionals 10 1
RA6102 Treatment Planning, Localisation and Verification 10 2 & 3
RA6103 Medical Radiation Science and Radiobiology (RT) 10 1
RA6004 Principles of Research 10 2 & 3
RA6105 Principles and Practice of Radiation Therapy 1 10 1 & 2
RA6106 Principles and Practice of Radiation Therapy 2 10 2 & 3

Year 2
Code Module Name Credits Semesters
RA6107 Advanced Imaging and Radiation Science Application 10 1
RA6108 Principles and Practice of Radiation Therapy 3 10 1
RA6109 Principles and Practice of Radiation Therapy 4 10 2 & 3
RA6010 Service Provision and Healthcare Management 5 2
MH6032 Effective Communication in Healthcare 5 1

Applicants will hold a minimum of a Second Class Honours in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8), in Sciences, or a Health Sciences related discipline e.g. Pharmacy, Nursing, Public Health, Health Promotion, General Science, Neuroscience, Biomedical Science, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Medicine, Genetics, Nutrition, Physiology, Sports Science, Social Science, Anatomy or equivalent to any of the above.

Interview Details
Applicants will be shortlisted for interview based on:

Educational qualifications
Academic achievements outside of the curriculum, e.g. publications, conference presentations
Contributions beyond academia
Motivation: Applicants will submit a motivation statement as part of this application process. The motivational statement should be no longer than 800 words and will explain their motivation to become a Radiation Therapist, outline their research aspirations in Radiation Therapy and indicate how their previous degree will contribute to their research and the practice of Radiation Therapy.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview and each applicant will be scored by an interview panel on the basis of:

Communication skills and motivation
Clinical and academic qualifications and interests
Knowledge of the field

Garda Vetting
Students or applicants in receipt of an offer on this programme will be subject to Garda Vetting. Students will be prohibited from engaging in a relevant work placement unless the vetting process has been cleared.

Fitness to Practise
This programme will be subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy.

Vaccinations
All applicants accepted onto the programme will need to have evidence of appropriate vaccinations for working in hospital environments.

Closing Date Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.

2 years full-time.

Start Date 9 September 2024

Skills and Careers Information
When students complete this programme, they do so with an MSc in Radiation Therapy. Following qualification, and only when successfully registered with CORU, they will be eligible to work as a Radiation Therapist within any hospital or clinic that provides a Radiation Therapy Service.

In addition to developing the necessary technical and practical skills required for safe and effective clinical practice, the graduate will develop a deep and critical understanding of the profession, vital for shaping the future of radiation therapy. These graduates will facilitate the practice and development of radiation therapy in an evidence-based environment. During the course, the graduate will build on a wide base of transferable clinical skills which may enable them to specialise in a specific area of Radiation Therapy following successful graduation. Examples of areas which radiation therapists may progress to include:

Management
Teaching-Academy and Clinical
Doctoral Research
Clinical Trials and Treatment Planning
Quality Management

Examples of clinical areas which Radiation Therapists may progress to include:
Molecular Imaging
Computed Tomography
Advanced Radiotherapy Practice
Positron Emission Tomography
IMRT