Course Overview

The beginner medical linac service technician is an on-line training module where students will learn basic principles of medical linear accelerators and cancer centers operations. It is a self-paced course with email access to an instructor. It consists of readings, videos and on-line labs. Students will familiarize themselves with the course materials over a six-week period.

Module 1 (1 weeks online):

The student will review descriptions of the components used in a medical linear accelerator, be shown the differences between the two principal manufacturers, and discover how each component contributes to the creation of a high energy radiation beam that is used in cancer treatment. The students will also be exposed to other components within the medical linear accelerator that are needed to orient the radiation beam about the patient.  

Module 2 (3 weeks online):

Students will review how the basic medical linac components interact with each other to produce a high energy radiation beam. The students will use a simulator environment which demonstrates how the configuration of each device contributes to the overall x-ray beam generation.

Module 3 (2 weeks online):

Students will be exposed to the cancer center environment, the role of radiation in cancer treatment, the roles of the service technician and other professionals in the cancer center, and other professional practice considerations to the role of medical linear accelerator service technician.

Prerequisites

None.

Course Objectives

Module 1:

At the completion of module 1, students will  identify the major components that are used in medical linear accelerators, and differentiate between those needed for electron beam acceleration, photon beam generation, and orienting the radiation beam about the patient.

Module 2:

At the completion of module 2, students will use a basic simulation program to explore different configurations of the medical linear accelerator. The student will configure operating parameters of major linear accelerator components and view their effect on the radiation beam properties.

Module 3:

At the completion of module 3, students have been exposed to the key job roles in a cancer center and the relationship to the medical linac service technician. A  typical management structure of a cancer center is demonstrated; as well, students will be aware of the major safety hazards involved in servicing medical linear accelerators, and will interpret ethical requirements when working with patients and other medical professionals.