Course Overview

The intermediate medical linac service technician is an online training module where students will learn the principles of medical linear accelerator beam line operations and safety systems. It is an online course led by an instructor. It consists of readings, videos, online labs, and exercises. Students will familiarize themselves with the course materials over nine weeks.

Module 1 (7 weeks online, two classes per week): 

The student will review in detail the components used in a medical linear accelerator that are used to create a high-energy radiation beam for radiotherapy. The students will gain experience with the operation of these components by lectures discussing theory, online labs, and using the Simac medical linac simulator to adjust components and observe the changes to the linear accelerator functionality.   

Module 2 (2 weeks online, two classes per week): 

Students will review several scenarios where linear accelerators failed and caused medical incidents.  

Prerequisites

Linear Accelerators Beginner Course

&

Linear Accelerators Introductory Course

Course Objectives

Module 1: 

At the completion of module 1, students will identify the mechanisms that affect the photon beam dose rate, beam energy, beam flatness, and symmetry. Students will identify components of high-voltage systems and their interaction with RF systems used in electron beam acceleration. Students will observe medical linear accelerator cooling systems and their effect on linear accelerator resonant frequency.  

Module 2: 

At the completion of module 2, students will review four well-known incidents involving medical linear accelerators that have affected patient safety. Students will discuss the causes of the incidents. Students will apply safety system theory to review how design changes have improved the safety of medical linear accelerators.