Course Summary
Radiotherapy is the use of X-rays and other ionising radiations to treat patients who are mainly suffering from cancer. Modern, sophisticated equipment is used to produce high-energy radiations, which give patients their treatment. The aim of the treatment is either to cure them or relieve their symptoms.
The therapeutic radiographer is someone, who can combine technical skill with a caring attitude, has a sense of responsibility and likes to work as part of a team.
This is a three year course, leading to a BSc (Hons) in Oncology and Radiotherapy Technology. The course is offered in conjunction with the BSc (Hons) in Diagnostic Radiography and core subjects are taught jointly. It consists of academic and clinical components, which are integrated to meet the aims of the course.
The aim of the course is to produce an ‘educated, clinically competent therapeutic radiographer’. Clinical competence encompasses all aspects of the radiographer’s role; the ability to undertake the accurate planning and delivery of treatment, the provision of a high standard of patient care, good inter-personal skills and the ability to adapt and respond to the individual needs of the patient. Students spend approximately two thirds of the course in the clinical departments gaining these competences, which are essential for any vocational qualification.
At the end of the three years when the student has successfully completed all the assessments, a BSc (Hons) Oncology & Radiotherapy Technology will be awarded. It also provides graduates with a recognised professional qualification, which results in students being eligible to apply for registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC).
Students gain their clinical experience at one hospital – at present this could be at the Ipswich Hospital, Norfolk & Norwich Hospital or Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge. (Accommodation is available at clinical sites in addition to the academic site.)
In addition, students will have the opportunity of clinical placements in other specialist areas, such as the Hospice, Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging.
Entry Requirements
280 UCAS tariff points from Advanced Level GCE (or equivalent) plus 5 GCSE's at C or above to include English, Mathematics & Science.
A good science background is essential and communication skills are important hence the need for Science, Maths & English at C or above at GCSE.
International applicants must provide evidence of competence in English language – Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The British Council run an International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) in many countries that students from overseas can use to check language proficiency. The minimum IELTS accepted for this course is 7.0.
Students will be in hospital practice placements working with vulnerable people hence the requirement for an enhanced CRB check. The Occupational Health assessment is necessary to protect both the student and patients and risk assessments may be undertaken to ascertain any reasonable adjustments which can be made to facilitate an applicant with a disability.
Course Aims
The BSc (Hons) Oncology & Radiotherapy Technology programme aims are:
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To provide a vocational education which will enable graduates to meet the criteria for professional registration with the Health Professions Council as a Therapeutic radiographer
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To enable students to acquire the skills of research and enquiry with which to develop an analytical, evaluative and reflective approach to practice, thereby providing graduates with a strong foundation for lifelong learning
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To provide graduates who will work as an effective member of the multi-professional health care team delivering a user-focused service
Core Skills
First year
At the end of year one it is intended that students will be able to demonstrate:
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Knowledge and understanding and cognitive skills
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Emphasis on building a knowledge base; on introduction of radiographic and medical terminology; key ideas; acknowledging sources; accuracy; rational argument; models of enquiry
Key / Common Skills
Subject Specific Skills
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Care and nursing skills; basic therapeutic radiography skills; developing ability to reflect on practice.
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Predominately learning is teacher designed/guided; scope for individual and group initiative within controlled framework; close supervision in clinical environment developing ability to work in a team.
Second year
At the end of year two it is intended that students will be able to demonstrate:
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Knowledge and understanding and cognitive skills
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Ability to relate complex elements of knowledge to one another – to seek links and integrate subject areas, theory and clinical experience; a critical and analytical approach to data and evidence.
Key / Common Skills
Subject Specific Skills
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Beginning to develop a mastery of complex skills and concepts in therapeutic radiography; ability to audit own skills and understanding and set objectives for clinical placements
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Teacher/student in collaborative partnership but with learning design largely teacher influenced; learner has mastery over a range of learning styles and can select appropriate strategy for task in hand and outcome identified
Third year
At the end of year three and their full programme of study it is intended that students will be able to demonstrate:
Knowledge, Understanding and Cognitive Skills
Key / Common Skills
Subject Specific Skills
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Mastery of therapeutic radiography skills; developing creative solutions or approaches; professional autonomy
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Assumption of greater responsibility for own learning – both independent and collaborative. Collaborative with peer group, teachers and clinical colleagues
Module Framework and Module Description
The BSc (Hons) Oncology and Radiotherapy Technology programme includes the following diverse range of interesting modules in each year. These modules are designed to provide basic skills and knowledge in the first year, which is built upon and consolidated in the later years. At the end of the course you will possess the necessary skills and knowledge to become a competent, qualified therapeutic radiographer.
First year
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Professional Practice 1
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Principles of Radiological Physics
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Health Care Principles
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The Professional Person (Interprofessional module)
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Physics and I.T.
Second year
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Professional Practice 2
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Pharmacology
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Planning and Equipment
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Research Methods for Radiographers
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Applied Radiotherapy Physics
Third year
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Professional Practice 3
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Preparation for Practice
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The Organisation (Interprofessional Module)
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Research Project
The course is delivered over 2 semesters each academic year.
In the first year there are 4 x 20 credit modules, and 1 x 40 credit module. 1 module is practice specific (Oncology only), 4 modules are interprofessional (3 joint with Diagnostic students and 1 with nursing, midwifery, ODP & social work students). (Certificate in Higher Education may be awarded for 120 credits).
In the second year there are 4 x 20 credit modules, and 1 x 40 credit module. 3 modules are practice specific (Oncology only), 2 modules are joint with Diagnostic students. (Diploma In Higher Education may be awarded for 240 credits).
In the third year there are 2 x 20 credit modules, and 2 x 40 credit modules. 1 module is practice specific (Oncology only), 3 modules are interprofessional (2 joint with Diagnostic students and 1 with nursing, midwifery, ODP & social work students). Students may participate in an ERASMUS exchange programme. BSc (Hons) degree is awarded for 360 credits.
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
Teaching and Learning Strategies
The programme takes an integrated approach to each module and the learning and teaching strategy reflects this. A balanced range of delivery techniques based on blended learning will be employed, for example interactive lectures, student-led seminars, group work, virtual learning environments, problem based learning/evidence based learning, workshops, case studies, learning communities, experiential work and role-play. Lecturers and clinical lecturers from the academic and practice setting respectively, support students as they progress in their learning. Students are actively encouraged throughout the programme to link practice and theory. This is crucial in a vocational programme. University Campus Suffolk's Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training lab (VERT), for radiography and radiotherapy students studying at UCS is embedded within the curriculum and allows students to interact with a variety of different treatment machines to set up and treat virtual patients.
Some students may find that they prefer interactive lectures whilst others flourish when challenged by experiential methods e.g. PBL/EBL. Some students excel when given the opportunity to explore on-line and web-based methods e.g. VLE's. This provides space for a varied and flexible approach to the delivery of the curriculum, encouraging the development of an independent learner with a positive attitude towards learning and learning to learn. Ultimately, this lays a foundation and instills motivation towards lifelong learning and preparation for Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
The Assessment
Assessment takes place in both the practice and campus settings and as such must be valid, rigorous, reliable, predictable and discriminatory.
The assessment methods for modules have been developed to emphasise an integrative approach to ensure the development of a competent, reflective radiographer as well as reflect the specific nature of each module. The degree cannot be awarded unless the student completes all the assessment elements for each of the modules.
The assessment strategy has been designed to:
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Evaluate each student’s competence to practice as a clinical radiographer
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Assess the student’s learning attainments, academically and clinically
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To reinforce the academic and practice links between all components of the course
A multi-assessment strategy has been adopted, the assessment methods include:
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Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)
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Objective Structured Practical Assessment (OSPA)
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Practice portfolios
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Patient based case profiles, presented as posters, in written format or as seminar presentations
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Written examinations – both seen and unseen papers
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Viva voce
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Essay type assignments
Timetabling
The course is delivered in two semesters, each year.
The academic timetable covers five days per week at certificate level. Typical taught hours per week are 20 at this level.
The clinical blocks are full time Monday to Friday, 9.00 – 5.00pm, as determined by each clinical department in order to offer a full service to patients. During these blocks students will be supernumerary and receive a half-day study in order to spend time reflecting upon practice and relating theory to the practical work which they are undertaking. Students will be expected to work an average 30 hours per week in the clinical department.
Upon starting the course in September you will spend the first 8 weeks of the course at University Campus Suffolk.
Details of the overall year plan and a timetable for the first academic year will be sent out to applicants when accepted upon the course. Students may also telephone and enquire about any of these aspects.
Work Placements
Approximately 50% of the academic year is spent in the practice setting. There is a 95% attendance requirement for clinical experience. Clinical placements are in NHS Trust Hospitals, which are validated for a specified maximum number of students, and places are allocated just prior to enrolment on the course, when places have been accepted and confirmed.
Tutorial and Study Support
All students are allocated a personal tutor during induction –the personal tutor, an academic member of the course team, will normally be the same person for the duration of the course. Individual tutorials will be conducted in accordance with the Personal Tutorial Policy for Students and will follow the guidance provided in the Personal Tutors’ Handbook and the Graduate Key Skills Planning Handbooks.
Students can seek and will receive additional support from module leaders and other lecturers when it is appropriate. Additional study support is arranged for any student with special needs e.g. dyslexia. Support is also available for literacy, numeracy and statistics and ICT through the open study workshops at University Campus Suffolk.
At each clinical placement site there is a clinical lecturer who co-ordinates the students’ clinical experience and provides pastoral and tutorial support.
In the clinical environment students also have mentors who are members of the clinical staff in the department where the student is undertaking their clinical experience. Mentors play an integral role in the professional development of the students, helping them achieve their personal/learning objectives, being involved in the assessment of the student’s clinical competence as well as providing pastoral guidance where appropriate.
Opportunities on Completion of the Course
When students complete the course they do so as a therapeutic radiographer. There are a range of courses available to study many of which are specifically designed to meet the needs of radiographer’s particular professional interests. All radiographers continue their professional development throughout their careers and there are many postgraduate courses available to help support them.
Examples of areas which radiographers may progress into include:
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Advanced practitioner
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Specialist practitioners
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Teaching – academic and clinical
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Working abroad
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Postgraduate study – PGC, PGD, MSc, EdD, PhD
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Research