Department of Radiation Therapy
This Department is responsible for the Bachelor
of Health Science (Medical Radiation Therapy) programme within
the University of Otago, Wellington, the Honours Thesis - Medical
Radiation Therapy and postgraduate programmes
in conjunction with the University of Sydney.
Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Radiation
Therapy)
The Bachelor of Health Science (Medical Radiation Therapy) is
a three year full time programme which is designed to produce radiation
therapists qualified to use radiation for the treatment of disease
with a minimum of supervision. Such treatment is in accordance with
the prescription of the radiation oncologist. For those people who
are attracted to a scientific discipline, who are keen to work as
part of a team of skilled personnel, which cures, treats and cares
mainly for cancer patients, radiation therapy offers a challenging,
satisfying and life-long career.
What Is Radiation Therapy?
Radiation therapy is the treatment of disease, usually cancer,
by radiation. The radiation therapist is part of a skilled team
of health professionals who care for and treat patients. Working
under supervision of an oncologist, the radiation therapist plans
and delivers the treatment.
Radiation therapists have a close involvement with patients, usually
carrying out the treatment five days a week for four to six weeks.
With advances in early detection of cancer, most patients can be
cured, resulting in immense job satisfaction for the radiation therapist.
Infosheet:
Medical Radiation Therapy 0.1 MB 
Where Will It Take Me?
Radiation therapists in New Zealand work in the Departments of
Radiation Oncology which are attached to hospitals in Auckland,
Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
There are also two private departments in Auckland and Christchurch which take students.
Employment opportunities are good, both in New Zealand and overseas.
New Zealand trained radiation therapists are considered to have
very high level skills and a broad range of knowledge.
The education of radiation therapists is specialised and is available
in New Zealand only through the University of Otago, Wellington.
How Long Is The Course?
This is a full time programme of study over three years. The first
year is spent at the University of Otago, Wellington, while the
second and third years have one semester at the University of Otago,
Wellington and one semester at a clinical department.
When Can I Start?
There is one intake for this programme, in February each year.
Course Overview
The first year of the course will be spent studying anatomy and
imaging; cancer cell biology; health and human behaviour; healthcare
communication; radiation technology; radiation therapy and oncology;
radiation therapy planning concepts. Students also spend two weeks
in a clinical department.
In the second and third years students will continue to learn in
a clinical setting to gain experience with a range of equipment and techniques, and
will return to the University of Otago, Wellington for further theoretical
aspects of the programme, taught in a semester block.
Students also need to work in an oncology department during the
academic breaks in order to gain necessary work experience before
completing the requirements of the degree.
For further information visit http://www.otago.ac.nz/courses/subjects/mera.html
How do I apply?
For the 2011 intake, information on how to apply for Medical Radiation
Therapy will be available from 1 July 2010. Application guidelines
can be found at:
Admission Guidelines for Medical Radiation Therapy.
Please note:
- Applications close 5:00 PM NZST, 15 September 2010;
- Failure to submit required documentation by 15 September 2010
may lead to your application being withdrawn;
- Late applications may be considered.
Fees
The tuition fee is finalised after the November University council
meeting. Once set costs (plus approximately $600 for text books)
are available through the following links:
Accommodation
Students studying Medical Radiation Therapy are to contact the Accommodation Officer:
Adele Evans, Manager,
Accommodation Office,
Accommodation Division,
University of Otago
PO Box 56
Dunedin
Tel: 64 3 479 8950
Email: adele.evans@otago.ac.nz
Postgraduate Programmes
Honours Thesis - Medical Radiation Therapy
The Bachelor of Health Science (Honours) in Medical Radiation
Therapy is a one year stand alone research programme leading
to the production of a thesis involving original research.
Postgraduate distance learning programmes, University of Sydney
Postgraduate distance learning programmes in radiation therapy
are delivered in collaboration with the University of Sydney.
See postgraduate teaching for
more information.
Postgraduate programmes, University of Otago
Postgraduate programmes in more generic Health Sciences with
the University of Otago are outlined on: www.otago.ac.nz/healthsciences/postgrad.
Many of these are distance taught.
Contact Information
Department of Radiation Therapy
University of Otago, Wellington
PO Box 7343 (Mein Street, Newtown)
Wellington South, 6242
New Zealand
Tel 64 4 385 5475
Fax 64 4 385 5375
Email mrtenquiries.wsmhs@otago.ac.nz
Electronic addresses (including email accounts, instant messaging
services, or telephone accounts) published on this page are for
the sole purpose of contact with the individuals concerned, in their
capacity as officers, employees or students of the University of
Otago. Publication of any such electronic address is not to be taken
as consent to receive unsolicited commercial electronic messages
by the address holder.
Last Updated
29 July, 2010
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