ESTRO meets Asia 2024 - Abstract Book

S374

RTT – Education, training, advanced practice and role developments

ESTRO meets Asia 2024

108

Proffered Paper

Beyond the books. A specialised training program for new graduate Radiation Therapists

Dianne Locke

Canterbury Regional Cancer & Haematology Service, Health NZ, Christchurch, New Zealand

Purpose/Objective:

This presentation introduces a comprehensive training program designed specifically for new graduate Radiation Therapists. The program offers a safe and supported environment to facilitate their development into competent clinical practitioners, who have the skills and ability to make sound clinical decisions, along with maintaining a high standard of patient care.

The program is tailored to develop critical thinking and communication, essential for success in the field as new graduates navigate the early stages of their careers.

Material/Methods:

The program duration of six months is designed to allow for a gradual transition from novice to proficient practitioner, ensuring a holistic and well-rounded educational experience.

Key components of the new graduate program include.

1.

A rotation through planning and treatment

2.

Portfolio

3.

Preceptorship

4.

Educational sessions

5.

Reflective journal

6.

Project and presentation

Results:

Ongoing feedback mechanisms, and self-reflection tools are integral components of the program's evaluation strategy. This ensures that the transition from new graduate to competent radiation therapist is continually refined based on participant experiences. The post program results indicate that 92% of participants felt that the training program minimised the stresses of being a new practitioner, along with a 96% increase in confidence when making sound clinical decisions and maintaining a high standard of patient care. Feedback from clinical supervisors highlight positive contributions to patient outcomes and effective communication within multidisciplinary teams.