Radiation Oncology142.C0

ProgramsScience, Medical Studies and EngineeringRadiation OncologyProgram Home Page

Program Coordinator Radiation Oncology: Jocelyne Napias-Pfeiffer
E-mail:
Local: 1358 Office: 4A.10

Program Information

The Radiation Oncology Program consists of three years of training: two didactic years and one year of clinical practice (stage).

An academic year includes two semesters of 16 weeks: one semester from August to December, and the other from January to May.

The clinical component includes:

an intensive 4 week component at the end of the 1st year during the months May, June and/or July
a 32 week component from the end of August to May during the third year

In the third year of the program, students gain valuable clinical experience by working and studying in affiliated health centres.

General Description of the Profession

Most cancer patients receive radiation treatments, usually in conjunction with other forms of treatment at hospitals and cancer clinics.

The Radiation Oncology technologist plans the treatment of patients following the prescription of a radiation oncologist (1) and administers ionizing radiation to patients using specialized equipment and the principles of dosimetry (2) . The technologist is responsible for the care of the patients during the course of their treatments and for the safe and efficient organization of the work load and work area. Radiation Oncology graduates are qualified to work in all areas of the profession, including: treatment planning and simulation, dosimetry, fabrication of treatment accessory equipment and brachytherapy (3).

As part of their professional duty, Radiation Oncology technologists (radiation therapists):

explain procedures, answer questions and provide comfort and emotional support, both to patients and family members
counselling patients on possible side effects from treatment and providing advice on how to minimize them
ensure that proper radiation handling and protection procedures are followed
administer radiation treatments
monitor patients during procedures

_{1) A radiation oncologist is a physician who specializes in cancer treatment}_{2) Dosimetry is the calculation of the amount of radiation absorbed indirectly and directly by matter and tissue. 3) Brachytherapy involves the precise placement of radiation sources directly at the site of a cancerous tumour.}