Are you fascinated by the human body? Do you love science? Would you like to work in a job where you can diagnose and treat human diseases? If so, you may enjoy studying one of the following career areas:
- Radiography/Medical Imaging
- Nuclear Medicine
- Radiation Therapy
- Medical Sonography
The following information has been taken from Charles Sturt University and the University of South Australia:
Radiography/Medical Imaging: As a radiographer, you will be concerned with producing high quality medical images of the human body for medical diagnosis through the operation of specialist equipment, such as administering ionising radiation (x-rays), or MRI pulses to the patient.
Nuclear Medicine: involves using biological tracers (radiopharmaceuticals) for the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. The specialisation details the administration and imaging of these radiopharmaceuticals within the patient to detect physiological abnormalities and deliver appropriate treatment.
Radiation Therapy: This involves the design and delivery of radiation treatment plans for people diagnosed with cancer and other pathological conditions.
Medical Sonography: is the application of medical scanning which uses high frequency ultrasound waves to produce diagnostic images. Sonography assists in the detection of foetal abnormalities, vascular disease and other acute and chronic conditions.
What subjects should I study at school? Physics, Mathematical Methods, Biology and Chemistry are recommended. You should check the prerequisites for each university.
Where can I study? The following are examples of courses you can explore:
Charles Sturt University, Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science, Wagga Wagga, NSW
- After the completion of first year, you can choose which specialisation you want to undertake from Medical Imaging, Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Therapy, http://bit.ly/1JCx8Vu
Deakin University, Bachelor of Medical Imaging, Geelong.
- Students will undertake 2500 clinical hours of placement, http://bit.ly/2bH6CTJ
Monash University, Bachelor of Radiation Sciences, Clayton.
- Students complete the 3-year Bachelor Radiation Sciences, http://bit.ly/2vHtaMx
Monash University, Bachelor of Radiography and Medical Imaging (Honours), Clayton
- This 4-year course focuses on radiography and medical imaging, and students develop the skills to be registered radiographers, http://bit.ly/1NmAMGA
RMIT, Bachelor of Applied Science (Medical Radiations), Bundoora.
- You can enrol in one of the following three streams- medical imaging, nuclear medicine, or radiation therapy, http://bit.ly/1GuuORt
CQUniversity, Bachelor of Medical Sonography/ Graduate Diploma of Medical Sonography, Melbourne.
- This is the only undergraduate/graduate Medical Sonography course in Australia, http://bit.ly/1FvexX0
Key Websites for more information:
CAREERS IN MEDICAL RADIATION SCIENCE
- Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy, https://bit.ly/2OL04Cr
- A Career in Radiation Oncology, http://bit.ly/1grfEsw
- Victorian Society of Nuclear Medicine Technologists, https://bit.ly/2IFQxcc
Key event
Medical Radiations Career Open Day, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Sunday 9 September. Limited places. For information and to register, go to https://bit.ly/2M1sDgi
