Qualification: Bachelor of Radiation Therapy

Purpose:

The purpose of the qualification is to develop a professional, who is competent in the knowledge and skills required for Radiation Therapy and has gained experience in applying such knowledge and skills in the appropriate workplace context. This qualification enables the professional to competently apply an integration of theory, principles, proven techniques, practical experience and appropriate skills to the solution of well-defined and abstract problems in the selected field of Radiation Therapy. The learner should become a reflective practitioner and a life-long learner in his or her profession, thereby benefiting the community and society. Appropriate applied skills in management and research will also be demonstrated allowing the holder of this qualification to work independently and in a supervisory capacity within the health care team.

Rationale:

Radiation Therapy is one of the scarce skill professions in South Africa, and more Radiographers need to be trained in order to address this shortage. Healthcare is set to change in the future from the curative paradigm of the 20th century to a pre-emptive model. Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy are central to this model and will drive that change to the benefit of the patient. The Radiation Therapist is involved in the planning and/or dose calculation and accurate administration of various forms of ionising radiation for the treatment and care of patients with malignant and benign neoplasms, according to a prescription of a Radiation Oncologist. Radiation Therapy has grown substantially as an individual allied health science discipline alongside the new ionising radiation and computer technologies that have emerged worldwide since the 1960's. Thus, the practice of Radiation Therapy has required an increasing range of skills and professional scope. The learning required for the practice of Radiation Therapy has grown accordingly from informal, hospital-based training to formal qualifications offered by higher education institutions in partnership with academic hospitals. This has been true in South Africa as well as across the globe. Radiation therapy includes interdisciplinary fields such as Physics, Human Biology, Computer Sciences, Communication and Psychology to extract that information and apply it within the profession. This qualification requires a minimum of 480 Credits, which is normally a full-time programme. It is recognised by the relevant Professional Council as a requirement for registration to practise in the field of Radiation Therapy. The qualification is necessary for employment in both the public and the private sector as part of a team providing a holistic health care service in general and radiotherapy service in particular. All learners for this qualification are required to be registered as learners by the relevant Professional council for the duration of the period of study in an accredited clinical training centre.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

1.1 Psychosocial support is provided with respect to the psychological impact of cancer and its treatment by applying knowledge of applied psychology to facilitate holistic patient care.
1.2 The patient is monitored for changes in their general condition together with dose-related radiation reactions by applying knowledge of patient care skills and radiobiology principles in order to provide responsible and effective patient care.
1.3 Knowledge of professional ethics is demonstrated and applied in order to protect the rights of the patient for medico-legal purposes.
1.4 Rights of the patient, as entrenched in the Human Rights Bill and the Patients' Rights Charter, are protected to maintain confidentiality and to provide a comprehensive radiotherapy service.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

2.1 Quality Assurance programmes are implemented and adhered to in the localisation, immobilisation, planning and treatment of patients to ensure optimal radiation delivery.
2.2 Standard operating procedures are implemented and adhered to, to ensure the safe and accurate delivery of ionising radiation treatment.
2.3 Relevant knowledge and understanding of radiation protection regulations for personnel, public and patient safety is demonstrated and applied within the planning and treatment of patients.
2.4 Quality Assurance and Quality control procedures and data are accurately monitored and recorded for future planning and statistical purposes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

3.1 The capability to perform radiation laboratory technology, appropriate to clinical presentation or request, is demonstrated.
3.2 Quality immobilisation and positioning devices are produced for use during patient's set-up treatment.
3.3 The capability to manufacture beam modification devices appropriate to the radiation treatment prescribed is demonstrated.
3.4 The knowledge and application of different materials used in the construction of devices, as required during radiation treatment, is demonstrated.
3.5 The knowledge and application of isotopes according to clinical requirements laid down by current legislation is demonstrated.
3.6 Appropriate health and safety regulations, ethical principles, guidelines and codes of practice in the performance of mould room techniques are applied to ensure personnel, public and patient safety.
3.7 Radiation Protection regulations are implemented and adhered to in the planning and treatment of patients thus ensuring optimal radiation delivery.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

4.1 The localisation equipment and accessories are safely operated in order to provide the necessary images for treatment planning.
4.2 The patient is accurately positioned according to departmental standards for radiation treatment by applying anatomical knowledge.
4.3 The localisation procedure is planned by interpretation and application of the anatomical, pathological and clinical data, for accurate and safe treatment of the patient.
4.4 Customised patient treatment accessories are prepared and constructed by interpreting, applying and verifying theoretical, clinical and technical knowledge and skills, for accurate and reproducible application of treatment plans.
4.5 Immobilisation procedures are appropriately utilised to ensure reproducibility of treatment position.
4.6 Anatomical and pathological knowledge is applied to assist in localisation of the neoplasm and treatment fields (Simulation procedures as well as Computerised Tomography (CT) scanning, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Technology (PET) and Ultrasound) in order to facilitate accurate and reproducible treatment set-ups for optimum treatment delivery.
4.7 Pathological, radiobiological and radiation physics, theoretical and clinical knowledge is applied to provide physical care to patients with different neoplasms.
4.8 Appropriate data recording of localisation results and immobilisation parameters are implemented to further planning and treatment delivery procedures, and for medico-legal purposes.
4.9 Patients with different neoplasms are provided with physical care by applying pathological, radiobiological and radiation physics, theoretical and clinical knowledge.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

5.1 The planning equipment, including accessories, is safely operated in order to optimally and accurately plan a patient using ionising radiation.
5.2 Anatomical, pathological and clinical data are interpreted and applied in order to plan the treatment.
5.3 Computerised treatment plans (2D and 3D) for optimal treatment delivery, not exceeding prescribed doses for normal tissue, are effectively produced by implementing the information gained from localisation procedures.
5.4 Radiation treatment doses and times/monitor units to be given to the patient to ensure the treatment delivery complies with the prescription are calculated by utilising knowledge and skills.
5.5 Patients with different neoplasms are provided with physical care by applying pathological, radiobiological and radiation physics, theoretical and clinical knowledge.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

6.1 All radiation treatment equipment, including accessories, is safely operated in order to optimally and accurately treat a patient with ionising radiation.
6.2 Optimal treatment procedures are performed by using integrated theoretical and clinical knowledge.
6.3 Patients are set up accurately for treatment according to prescription by applying anatomical, technical and pathological knowledge.
6.4 Radiation treatment is accurately and safely delivered by interpreting, using and verifying the correct treatment parameters according to prescription.
6.5 Appropriate data are recorded meticulously for medico-legal purposes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

7.1 Management principles and procedures are applied and implemented to ensure effective integration within the radiotherapy department and within the multi-disciplinary oncology team.
7.2 Management skills within the multidisciplinary team are applied to ensure effective and optimal patient flow.
7.3 Departmental policies and standard operating procedures are implemented and adhered to for effective management of the radiotherapy division.
7.4 Analysis and evaluation of the departmental policies and standard operating procedures are performed for effective management of the radiotherapy division.
7.5 Knowledge and awareness of participation in Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and in-service training is demonstrated to maintain professional knowledge and life-long learning.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:

8.1 Knowledge production within the profession is understood and participated in to keep abreast of continuing and new developments within the radiotherapy profession.
8.2 Appropriate information technology is used to record, retrieve and communicate patient data.
8.3 An ongoing knowledge of appropriate information technology is maintained in order to keep abreast of modern technology.
8.4 Research principles and methodology in the field of radiotherapy research are applied in order to complete a research proposal, conduct research and present the conclusions in the required format.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:

9.1 Apply and integrate the principles and/or philosophy of the selected subject into related activities.
9.2 Apply the specialised techniques required to achieve the contextual objective.
9.3 Apply quality assurance principles to ensure optimal results within the context of the subject. This may be assessed in an integrated way with Exit Level Outcomes 1 to 7.

Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy

Purpose and Rationale