Medical Radiation Science

Outline Outline

Medical radiation science enables health professionals to diagnose, treat and monitor medical conditions and provide cancer therapy.

Rapid technological advances in these areas mean that the medical imaging and radiation-therapy sector is continuing to expand.

This course comprises foundation studies required for medical radiation science practice - including medical physics, anatomy, physiology and evidence-based practice - and a combination of subjects from science and health sciences that will give you a grounding in the healthcare environment.

The first year is interprofessional and taken with other health sciences and science students. From second year, you will specialise in one of two majors: Medical Imaging or Radiation Therapy.

You'll develop the ethical, medico-legal, cultural awareness and communication abilities needed to take responsibility for the care of individual patients.

You'll undertake 45 weeks of clinical experience during the course, in hospitals, private practices and rural and regional sites.

This course is highly competitive and has limited places due to clinical placement requirements.

Medical Imaging

Medical imaging professionals work with sophisticated diagnostic imaging modalities - including computed and digital radiography, fluoroscopy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, mammography and angiography equipment.

They produce images that are used to confirm or exclude a medical diagnosis, to advise on a treatment or illness, monitor patient progress, or provide medical screening.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapists have an integral role in the treatment, care and management of patients undergoing radiation therapy treatment, primarily in treating cancer types.

They use a range of complex technologies and equipment to design, develop and deliver radiation therapy treatment.

See our handbook for more course information.

How this course will make you industry ready

Curtin provides purpose-built medical imaging and radiation therapy learning environments. You will complete 45 weeks of clinical experience in hospitals, private practices and rural and regional sites.

What you'll learn

• apply discipline knowledge to undertake medical radiation science procedures in a safe and effective manner; develop clinical practices using evidence-based research
• think critically and reflectively about factors for safe and effective patient outcome delivery including clinical information, physical parameters, and patient, equipment and environmental conditions
• apply an inquiring approach to the management of patients and the assessment of medical radiation science procedural requirements and outcomes through identification, access, evaluation and synthesis of information from credible sources
• communicate effectively and appropriately with different workplace, healthcare and patient groups, taking into account age, health condition and socio-cultural background
• use equipment/instrumentation knowledge and available clinical information to assess the medical radiation procedure required to appropriately address the clinical challenge/question, recognising the advantages and limitations of available equipment/instrumentation to provide a safe and effective patient outcome
• assess and critically evaluate information independently to remain informed and advance practice
• demonstrate cognisance of current international standards and practices within the profession and apply these clinically
• manage patient care in a manner that promotes respect for individuals, is socio-culturally sensitive and ethically appropriate
• work effectively, ethically and cognisant of medico-legal boundaries within the interprofessional healthcare team; take responsibility for own actions