| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-19 | - |
Program Overview
Therapeutic Radiographers work in multidisciplinary teams, in radiation oncology departments, where they play a vital role in treating people with cancer. They’re responsible for accurately localising, planning and delivering ionising radiation using state of the art technology. Develop the highly specialised skills needed to work in the multidisciplinary teams in radiation oncology departments with a combined theoretical and practical education at LSBU. Gain the knowledge and clinical experience that is pivotal to providing personalised care. Plus, learn and develop the excellent communication skills required to support patients and their families through their cancer journey. Our state-of-the-art technology including our virtual environment radiotherapy training ensures you’re at the forefront of the ever-evolving industry during your studies and are highly employable once graduated.
Why Therapeutic Radiography at LSBU?
user-md
Ranked 2nd in London overall for Health Professions (Guardian University Guide 2023).
check-circle
A professional accreditation – approved by the Health and Care Professions Council and accredited by the Society and College of Radiographers.
heartbeat
You’ll get access to our state-of-the-art facilities – including VERT (Virtual Environment Radiotherapy Training), a virtual learning environment simulating a radiotherapy treatment room.
medkit
Great work experience opportunities – with the chance to gain clinical experience in many of London's internationally renowned teaching hospitals.
puzzle piece
Career opportunities: 94 percent of Health Professions graduates get graduate level jobs or are in further education at professional or higher education level, within 15 months of graduation (Guardian University Guide 2023).
rocket
LSBU Health and Social Care graduates are the second highest paid amongst all London Modern university graduates, and the sixth highest in the UK one year after graduating (DfE LEO data 2022).
Program Outline
During the course, you'll learn biological science, the fundamentals of radiation science and begin the practice of radiotherapy. You’ll also study concepts of inter-professional and collaborative practice.
In Year 2, you’ll continue radiotherapy practice, combining this with applied radiation sciences, radiotherapy imaging and dosimetry, as well as appraising evidence for research informed practice.
Year 3 focuses on contemporary debates in radiotherapy and oncology, Improving quality, change management and leadership, and the third stage of radiotherapy practice.
Some compulsory skills sessions may take place in the evening.
Year 1
This is a foundation module aimed at students who will be working with ionising radiation in a clinical environment. The module commences with the basic concept of atomic structure and then builds on this to explain how x-rays are produced, how radiation interacts with matter, and understanding the equipment (kV and MV) used in radiotherapy practice. This module will also introduce students to the key principles of radiation dosimetry, dose distribution and plan interpretation. Assessment method: 100% exam.
This module is designed to provide students with the foundation knowledge of anatomy and function of the systems comprising the human body and changes resulting from the development of malignant disease. Assessment method: 100% exam.
This module is an introduction to the discipline of oncology and the concept of holistic care in the management of people with cancer, with reference to evidence based practice. Assessment method: 100% exam.
This module provides a practical and theoretical introduction to the professional practice of radiotherapy. This module complements the knowledge and learning gained synergistically within clinical practice by focussing on the acquisition of basic clinical skills and knowledge required for the safe, accurate planning and treatment of patients with cancer.
Assessment method:
Clinical portfolio Pass/ Fail
50% Presentation
50% Poster
During this module you’ll be introduced to the place and value of inter-professional and collaborative working in health and social care delivery. The module aims to support the development of the necessary communication, personal, partnership working and reflective practice skills required to meet the needs of clients/carers and diverse populations who are at the centre of inter-professional health and social care delivery.
Year 2
This module builds on knowledge gained in dosimetry and radiotherapy physics at Level 4 and permits students to demonstrate understanding of the application of dosimetry and radiotherapy physics in the radiation therapy process, for both radical and palliative patients. The module aims to develop the pre-treatment dosimetry skills for tumour sites of breast and prostate, considering different techniques for 3D conformal external beam irradiation, utilising both forward and inverse planning techniques for IMRT and VMAT. Assessment method: 100% Presentation
This module addresses contemporary imaging methods available in the localisation and verification of tumour volumes before and during radiation treatment delivery. Students will be required to evaluate their relative usefulness within the cancer pathway, with specific reference to cancer staging, monitoring and treatment verification; they will also gain practical experience in image interpretation of 2D and 3D images. Assessment method: 100% Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
This module builds on Level 4 studies and students will have academic teaching to underpin the clinical skills development required for safe and accurate radiotherapy treatment delivery. Assessment method: 100% exam
This module builds on Level 4 studies and requires the student to develop a deeper understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the respiratory and upper alimentary systems. This module complements the knowledge and learning gained synergistically within clinical practice by focussing on the acquisition of core clinical skills and knowledge, required for the safe, accurate planning and treatment of patients with cancer.
Assessment method:
Clinical portfolio Pass/Fail
50% Presentation
50% Multi-modal clinical judgement assessment(MMCJA)
Students must achieve a pass mark in all summative assessments in order to pass the module.
This module will extend your understanding of the concept of evidence-based practice and research in practice. The module will equip you with the core skills and understanding to appraise evidence and assess its appropriateness to be implemented into practice. The steps in conducting research, main research methods, approaches to data analysis and presentation will be explored. You'll be equipped with the knowledge and core skills that are a pre-requisite for critical appraisal and evidence synthesis. Assessment method: 100% coursework.
Year 3
This module builds on knowledge gained in dosimetry and radiotherapy physics at Level 5 and permits students to demonstrate understanding of the application of dosimetry and radiotherapy physics in the radiation therapy process. Advancements in the forefront of radiotherapy dosimetry, such as advancing techniques, non-photon irradiation, will be explored to ensure that students can justify their clinical decisions relating to dosimetry principles in practice.
Assessment method: 100% PosterThis module aims to prepare students to work in a changing environment and develop awareness of issues that impact on patients, service and professionals. Particular emphasis will be placed on the professional and technological developments, and changes in health care policy. It will enable critical evaluation of professional responsibility in relation to clinical, service and patient experience within the context of ethical frameworks and evidence-based practice.
Assessment method: 100% 3000 word assignmentThis module builds on students’ theoretical knowledge of oncological management, with particular emphasis placed on the management of rare and complex cancer diagnoses. In addition to developing knowledge of anticancer therapeutics, such as chemotherapeutic agents, biological therapies and hormone therapies, this module will support critical discussion of the role of advancing radiotherapy techniques and research in the patient pathway, to improve patient outcomes.
Assessment method: 100% exam.This module builds on level 5 studies and requires the student to develop a deeper understanding of the practical radiotherapy management of patients with malignant diseases. It provides the student with knowledge and skills relevant to pre-treatment, treatment and verification processes employed in the radiotherapy management of patients. The student will be required to develop and apply critical awareness of advances in technology and practice.
Particular emphasis will be placed on the management of patients with complex needs or co-morbidities, in the context of practical and logistical implications for radiotherapy pathway.
Students will be provided with opportunities to demonstrate achievement of clinically based competencies, which focus on more complex techniques found in radiotherapy, problem solving skills required for successful performance in clinical practice and transition to a band 5 role.
Assessment method:
Clinical portfolio Pass/ Fail
50% Viva voce
50% Multi-modal clinical judgement assessment (MMCJA)
Students must achieve a pass mark in all summative assessments in order to pass the module
This module is the final interprofessional learning module that will explore leadership, quality improvement and change within organisations from an interprofessional perspective. The module looks at a strategic, evidence based approach to change management in a range of environments. Level 6. 20 Credits. Formative assessment: 500 word draft or plan of summative assignment. Summative assessment: 3000 word written assignment OR, 20 minute podcast 100% weighting
Facilities
Therapeutic Radiography VERT Lab
VERT; Virtual Environment Radiotherapy Training, is a virtual learning environment simulating a radiotherapy treatment room. Through captivating 3D views and life size visualisations, VERT is an excellent platform for supplying therapeutic radiography training to students.
You will have the opportunity to interact with a variety of virtual linear accelerators (treatment machines) to set up and treat a virtual patient. The virtual linear accelerator is controlled by hand control pendants and can be moved and orientated in much the same way as an actual treatment machine can.
Other facilities used on the course include an Eclipse Radiotherapy Planning Suite. Eclipse is a comprehensive 3D treatment planning platform that supports a range of treatment modalities, including 2D, 3D and intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) planning. The training begins with comprehensive introduction to 3D anatomy visualisation, contouring skills and basic plan production. You will undertake practice exercises which are presented in a logical sequence, with each practice exercise building on the previous exercises completed. The VERT suite has the facility to load any radiotherapy treatment plan created by trainees so they can review their plans on a virtual patient and gain additional experience that is otherwise only available in the clinical setting.
