Radiotherapy and oncology
We have many years of experience in offering radiotherapy courses, training and development for health professionals. This is supported by high quality teaching staff, research and facilities, as well as strong links with health professionals and organisations throughout the North, Yorkshire and East Midland regions.
Radiotherapy is the use of ionising radiations to treat patients with cancer, although occasionally non-malignant conditions are treated. Therapeutic radiographers plan and deliver radiation therapy to cancer patients using technologically complex equipment.
We offer courses at all levels. We can give you the skills and experience to become a qualified therapeutic radiographer or provide continuing professional development for experienced therapeutic radiographers.
Read about the specialist facilities we have available for you to use.
Read about our Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training (VERT)
Watch videos of our graduates talking about our Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training (VERT) and the benefits it offers.
Read profiles about our radiotherapy teaching team.
We offer five types of CPD provision for radiotherapists, collectively we call this CPD Anywhere. Find out more.
Read about our health and social care research centres and their areas of research expertise.
Watch a video of lecturer Jo McNamara talking about radiotherapy and oncology and our radiotherapy courses.
Our health and social care courses place a strong emphasis on interprofessional learning. This means that you train alongside practitioners from other health professions. Find out more.
Search results - 13 results found
There is an increasing demand for graduate therapeutic radiographers in the health service, especially those who can do clinical research.Your studies focus on applying theory to clinical practice and we encourage you to question and analyse, not simply accept theories without thought. You analyse and evaluate your clinical practice to learn and... More information
This course is for therapeutic radiographers and other healthcare professionals working within radiotherapy and oncology. The modules cover a wide range of topics relevant to this area of clinical practice. This allows you to tailor the course to your own career development needs. Some modules are radiotherapy specific, while others take a wider... More information
There is an increasing demand for therapeutic radiographers in the health service. Medical, technological and professional advances in radiotherapy mean the role of the therapeutic radiographer is changing all the time. We designed this course in response to recent government initiatives to • modernise healthcare education • increase recruitment... More information
Palliative care aims to achieve the best quality of life for patients facing life-threatening illness, in addition to treatment for their condition. This includes pain management for the patient and psychological, social and spiritual support for the patient and their family.The course is ideal for experienced practitioners providing day-to-day... More information
Postgraduate
Distance learning
Subject area
Related subjects
This course is for practitioners working in extended roles or at an advanced practice level in their clinical field.It provides you with a flexible programme of study that reflects your evolving scope of practice and is tailored to your individual development needs and the service requirements.You critically evaluate theoretical perspectives to... More information
As this two year course is work-based you can access it from anywhere in the UK. However, before you apply • you must be working in a radiotherapy department as a trainee assistant practitioner• you must have the support of your manager• your department must complete a risk assessment and provide evidence that it can deliver the academic and... More information
This course will be discontinued at the end of the academic year 2012/13, but students can access the modules in order to complete their diploma or degree or for continuing professional development. Students unable to complete the degree in the timeframe can transfer to the BA (Honours) Health and Social Care Practice.You develop critical problem... More information
This course is made up of two modules• advanced communication skills in practice (30 credits)• advanced communication and information in supportive care (30 credits)Each module can be studied individually as part of a masters programme and have a direct impact on developing communication skills in your own clinical practice. Advanced communication... More information
Radiotherapy planning involves simulating and evaluating radiation doses for radiotherapy. This highly focused course gives you a thorough understanding of this important area. The course is aimed at therapeutic radiographers, dosimetrists or other healthcare professionals working in radiotherapy and oncology with an interest in radiotherapy... More information
The programme is for qualified therapy radiographers who have not practised for up to 20 years. It combines practical training and academic work, and you can enrol at any time during the year.You need to contact your local radiotherapy department to arrange a period of supervised clinical practice. The Health Professions Council, formerly the... More information
This interprofessional course enables experienced professionals from all areas of health, social care, biomedical science and sport and exercise science to focus on their specific research interests and gain a professional doctorate award.Professional doctorates are equivalent to PhDs but focus on the development of professional practice and suit... More information
Postgraduate
Part-time
Subject area
Related subjects
This course is for health and social care managers and leaders at any level and with any amount of experience. It supports your ongoing professional development towards improved effectiveness, and greater management and leadership responsibility. Its flexible design supports you in your workplace. We base your learning within your own employment... More information
Postgraduate
Part-time
Subject area
Related subjects
This course is for health professionals who • use medical images as an integral part of their practice• wish to demonstrate their commitment to critically evaluating and analysing radiological imaging and interventionsIt is ideal for • radiographers • junior doctors • nurses • allied health professionals • orthotists • general practitioners... More information
Postgraduate
Distance learning
Subject area
Related subjects
Radiotherapy facilities
We have made significant investment in health facilities over the last few years. The new health building is a perfect example of this investment.
This building features specialist rooms which have been designed in close consultation with practising health professionals. We are equipped with the latest simulation, practice and investigative equipment.
This means we can offer realistic education and training that equates to the workplace. It also means we can carry out research at a very advanced level.
Specialist radiotherapy and oncology facilities include
• Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training (VERT)
• specialist teaching room that houses 20 treatment planning computers enabling students to tailor the treatment to the patient by accurately targeting high dose radiation beams on the tumour and, in the process, spare surrounding normal tissues
• X-ray suite with state-of-the-art imaging equipment
• PIXY, a radiographic mannequin/phantom, plus numerous body phantoms
medical ultrasound room with two Toshiba ultrasound machines
• Varian Eclipse System of 3D treatment planning, using PET (positron emission tomography), CT (computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scanning
Radiotherapy – Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training (VERT)
Vert is an award-winning virtual training environment which enables radiotherapy students to interact in a virtual treatment room.
The environment aims to
• enhance students 3D appreciation of anatomy
• give a 3D representation of radiotherapy equipment and a linear accelerator
• allow students to develop skills before going on placement
• reduce demand on live clinical spaces in the NHS
Radiotherapy students gain experience in treating cancer patients during placements in oncology departments. However, these increasingly busy cancer departments can frustrate students’ efforts to learn a multitude of skills concurrently leading them to feel rushed and unable to maximise their learning.
Using state of the art imaging technology, the VERT system creates a life-size 3D replica of a radiotherapy treatment room, allowing students to develop vital practical skills in real-life clinical situations. They can practice in a realistic but completely safe environment before moving on to clinical placements.
VERT (1:31)
Jo McNamara (senior lecturer) explains the benefits of using the 3D Visualisation Suite and state of the art facilities located in the Robert Winston Building, and how students benefit from the hands on experience.
Simon Crimp - VERT (1:18)
Simon Crimp, a BSc (Hons) Radiotherapy and Oncology student, talks about the valuable experience he gains using the Visualisation Suite to practice treatments within a clinical environment before going in to practice.
Heidi Probst
Senior lecturer
Phone 0114 225 4359
E-mail h.probst@shu.ac.uk
Main teaching areas
• breast carcinoma
• research methods
External appointments
• co-chair of the College of Radiographers research group
• chair of the College of Radiographers research funding panel
• member of the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) clinical and translational radiotherapy and radiobiology research working group (work stream 3 phase III studies)
Research interests and current work
• research interests
• breast cancer radiotherapy
• radiotherapy workforce
• e-learning
• research design / methodology interests
• randomised controlled trials (authored a chapter in the textbook Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy Research: Skills and Strategies on this topic)
Current work
The development of an e-learning module on breast cancer irradiation for professionals wanting to specialise in breast cancer treatment: A Delphi Method.
Investigating Journal Reading and Literature Searching Practices of Radiation Therapists: An evaluation of the challenges and barriers to identifying evidence for practice development.
Support, Positioning and Organ Registration during Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy: SuPPORT 4 All (Engineering for Life seed corn funding from EPSRC- £13,000)
Work experience/background
I qualified as a therapy radiographer from the Royal London Hospital. Most of my clinical experience was undertaken at Cookridge Hospital in Leeds where I worked as a Superintendent II Radiographer specialising in pre-treatment/simulation from 1993 - 1999.
In 1999 I received a Department of Health Research Fellowship award to complete my PhD 'Investigating Radiotherapy Protocols for Breast Carcinoma: An evaluation of respiratory morbidity, treatment accuracy and efficiency'. DoH grant size £80,929.
In 2001, I joined Sheffield Hallam University as senior lecturer.
Recent publications
• Probst H, Dodwell D, Gray JC, Holmes M. An evaluation of the accuracy of semi-permanent skin marks for breast cancer irradiation. Radiography 2006; 12(3):186-188.
• Probst H, Griffiths S. Time for a Change: Is it Time to Consider Job Redesign for Therapy Radiographers? Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol ) 2007; 19(3):S43.
• Probst H, Griffiths S. Retaining Therapy radiographers: What's so special about us? Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice 2007; 6(1):21-32.
• Probst H, Griffiths S. Job satisfaction of therapy radiographers in the UK: Results of a phase I qualitative study. Radiography 2009; 15(2):146-157.
• Probst H, Harris R. Getting started with research. Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice 2009; 8(02):57-65.
• Probst H, Eddy D, Doughty J, Hodgson D. Integrating E-learning into Postgraduate Radiotherapy and Oncology: A Case Study. E-Learning and Digital Media 2009; 6(4):364-372.
Kath Steele
Senior lecturer for the MSc and BA (Hons) Supportive and Palliative Care
Prior to entering higher education I had 28 years of clinical practice working in a variety of settings including acute, hospice, community, oncology and palliative care.
My last two posts were Macmillan clinical nurse specialist posts in gynae/oncology and palliative care. My specialist interests are loss and grief, children and loss, sexuality, communication, using high fidelity simulation in palliative care education and Lymphoedema. My latest research project is in fatigue in cancer patients.
Anne Jessop
Senior lecturer for MSc Radiotherapy and Oncology
As a senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam my roles and responsibilities are wide and varied. I have an input into academic delivery at all levels ranging from diploma and degree through to masters.
I am module leader for the working together in supportive and palliative care module. I have a particular interest in both palliative care and patient support which makes this module have significant importance to me.
My background is in radiotherapy where I worked as a clinical radiographer for many years in departments in both Leeds and Hull, moving into radiotherapy and oncology education in 2002. Being part of the team delivering the MSc Supportive and Palliative Care has given me the opportunity to work with other professional groups, giving me a much broader perspective of the multidisciplinary working both within the university and also students undertaking the module.
As part of my role, I also work as a professional development facilitator supporting both students and staff in clinical practice through their study. This role allows me to keep up to date with clinical knowledge and maintain links with other professional groups in the hospital setting.
Angela Eddy
Course leader
I joined the teaching team at Sheffield Hallam in 2000, where my main responsibilities have been building an advanced practice framework for radiographers working outside a traditional scope of practice.
I am the course leader for the MSc Advanced Practice in Radiotherapy and Oncology, and the module leader for the expert practice, informed consent in healthcare practice and technical advanced in radiotherapy.
I am currently undertaking a professional doctorate and my research is exploring role extension. I am particularly interested in the diversity of practice and roles at a national and international level. I am also interested in wider workforce issues across the four tier structure, and I represent higher education institutions (HEIs) on the National Radiotherapy Implementation Group (workforce theme).
I trained and worked at Leeds, and then moved for a superintendent post to Lincoln. While in Lincoln I was involved in equipment selection and evaluation, designing a new department and planning the relocation of services to the new site. The department was one of the Department of Health (DoH) pilot sites for the four tier structure, and I was involved in the development and implementation of role extension using work based learning in collaboration with Sheffield Hallam.
Recent publications: Peer Reviewed
Eddy. A. Work based learning and role extension: A match made in heaven? Radiography 2010 Vol 16 issue 2 pg 95-100.
Eddy. A. Advanced Practice for therapy Radiographers – A discussion paper. Radiography 2008 Vol 14 issue 1 pg 24-31
Winter. D. Eddy. A: A pilot study to explore the information and support offered to male breast patients by breast care nurses. Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice 2006 (5) 1-9 ISSN 1460-3969
Catherine Holborn
Senior lecturer
Since July 2003 I have worked as a senior lecturer in radiotherapy and oncology at Sheffield Hallam University. Current key roles include being the course leader for the MSc Radiotherapy and Oncology and lead for several modules as part of this.
My main areas of professional and research interest are based around prostate cancer, paediatric cancer, intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and image guided radiotherapy (IGRT).
I am a member of the Specialist Paediatric Radiotherapy Radiographer Interest Group and have worked in partnership with the Prostate Cancer Charity to develop an MSc module in this area. I have also acted as a reviewer for one of their patient information leaflets.
In terms of supporting research, I act as a research supervisor for students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. I am a reviewer for the Faculty’s Dissertation Management Group and reviewer for the Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice.
My own research has focused mainly on the work undertaken for my MSc Radiotherapy and Oncology in 2006. The project title was 'Immobilisation and verification methods for 3D conformal radiotherapy to the prostate: a systematic review of the literature and national survey of UK practice'.
I recently wrote a chapter entitled 'Treatment Verification' in the 2010, 2nd edition of Practical Radiotherapy Physics and Equipment by P Cherry and A Duxbury (editors).
David Green
Professional development facilitator and senior lecturer
Phone 0114 225 5471
E-mail david.green@shu.ac.uk
As a professional development facilitator I support undergraduate, postgraduate and clinical staff education in my clinical department St James’s University Hospital, Leeds.
Working as a senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam I am currently involved in undergraduate teaching with the radiotherapy and oncology team as well as inter professional education.
My research interests include
• the use of VERT™ as a training and recruitment resource
• student recruitment
• service user involvement
• student clinical assessment
• CT planning and treatment verification of conformal RT patients
I have just completed an MSc dissertation in health care education, The Influence of VERT™ Characteristics on the Development of Skills in Skin Apposition Techniques. This study investigates the influence of virtual environment characteristics on the development of skills previously honed exclusively in the clinical environment. Specifically the development of the electron treatment skin apposition technique. A specific treatment site was selected on a virtual patient and student performance, in terms of set-up to the treatment site, was determined by dataset software indicators.
Recent publications
Green D, 2009 Climbing the learning curve. Synergy, Aug 2009, p. 4-5.
Sarah Smith
Senior lecturer
Phone 0114 225 5588
Email s.smith@shu.ac.uk
I am currently the course leader for the BSc (Hons) in Radiotherapy and Oncology. I am largely involved in the delivery of the undergraduate and pre registration courses.
I lead the year one module using knowledge and evidence to support study and practice. I also lead the year three interprofessional education module capable collaborative working
I also contribute to the Return to Practice Programme, the Continuing Professional Development Anywhere Programme and our masters courses.
My main teaching areas are the oncology of the lower respiratory system (lung), oncology of the upper digestive and upper respiratory systems (head and neck region) and interprofessional education. I also contribute to the delivery of anatomy, physics and clinical education modules.
My main areas of interest or specialism include head and neck cancer, cervical cancer, service user involvement and quality of life studies. As well as research and development of education, such as retention of students, student support, effectiveness of learning and teaching and assessment strategies.
Other roles
I am a supervisor for students undertaking research projects (dissertations) on both undergraduate and MSc programmes.
I am a member of the Society and College of Radiographers (Professional body).
I am a register practitioner (Therapy Radiographer) with the Health Professions Council.
I represent the Allied Health Professions on the management group of the Trent Universities Interprofessional Learning in Practice (TUILIP) project.
I am an assessor of education for the Approvals and Accreditation Board of the Society and College of Radiographers.
I peer review submissions for publication to the Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice.
My research interests include
• treatment related side effects and quality of life for patients
• the development of inter-professional learning and working
• head and neck oncology and treatment.
• undergraduate student support, recruitment and retention
Barbara Beard
Course leader for MSc and BA (Hons) Supportive and Palliative Care
Barbara Beard
Email b.a.beard@shu.ac.uk
Phone 0114 225 5617
I am the course leader for the MSc Supportive and Palliative Care and BA(Hons) Supportive and Palliative Care. I am also the module leader for the master's level modules, end of life decision making, loss, grief and bereavement and advanced communications skills in practice. In addition, I am the module leader for the undergraduate dissertation and the level four module, Foundations in Supportive and Palliative Care for support workers. As a registered nurse, I have previously worked in a wide variety of clinical settings in the UK, Canada and Switzerland. I also work as a bereavement visitor at St Luke's Hospice, supporting bereaved people in their own homes. My special interests include ethics at the end of life, communication and loss and bereavement.
Award
In 2012, I was awarded the third prize of Educator of the Year by the International Journal of Palliative Nursing.
Other roles
I am a supervisor for the postgraduate and undergraduate dissertations and specialist palliative care tutor for the work-based learning module. I am a member of Sheffield Hallam University HWB faculty cancer interest group and also the End of Life Care Education Steering Group, NHS Yorks and Humber
Recent Publication
Beard Barbara (2011) Legal and Ethical Issues in Palliative Care in Baldwin, Moyra and Woodhouse, Jan (Eds.) Key Concepts in Palliative Care. London, Sage
Sheela Macwan
Course Leader for MSc Radiotherapy Planning
I qualified as therapy radiographer in 1987 at the Leicester School of Radiography. My first post was at the Queen Elizabeth hospital, Birmingham. Here I was actively involved in producing skin care guidelines for patients.
In 1995, I moved to Nottingham City hospital. In 1999 I had the opportunity to start my MSc in Applied Oncology and also to present at a skin conference in Paris. I also took part in the introduction of conformal planning to the prostate and was in charge of treating patients with total body irradiation using both photons and electrons. I also trained and specialised in electronic portal imaging. I was appointed as Treatment Superintendent in 1999.
A sideways move in 2001, took me back to the Leicester Royal Infirmary before accepting a senior lecturer post at Sheffield Hallam University. In 2004, I completed my MSc in Applied Oncology and in March 2005, I was awarded the PG Cert in Learning and Teaching. In March 2007, I achieved the status of Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
I am currently the admissions tutor for Radiotherapy and Oncology. I actively recruit for both the BSc and PGD routes. Additionally I am the module leader for Pre-treatment Imaging and Planning and undergraduate research dissertations. I am the course leader for the MSc in Radiotherapy Planning and module leader for fundamentals of planning, advanced planning module and the cancer therapies module.
I am also involved in teaching on the inter-professional modules. I am currently the professional development facilitator at Lincoln County hospital. My interests focus on treatment planning, innovations in imaging and verification, e-learning, new cancer therapies and from an admissions point, widening participation.
Profiles
Heidi Probst
Senior lecturer
Kath Steele
Senior lecturer for the MSc and BA (Hons) Supportive and Palliative Care
Anne Jessop
Senior lecturer for MSc Radiotherapy and Oncology
Angela Eddy
Course leader
Catherine Holborn
Senior lecturer
David Green
Professional development facilitator and senior lecturer
Sarah Smith
Senior lecturer
Barbara Beard
Course leader for MSc and BA (Hons) Supportive and Palliative Care
Sheela Macwan
Course Leader for MSc Radiotherapy Planning
CPD Anywhere
We offer five types of CPD provision for radiotherapists, collectively we call this CPD Anywhere.
1. CPD VLE
This is is a dedicated virtual learning environment (VLE) providing interactive information, resource and support, together with an e-portfolio platform called PebblePAD, which is both intuitive and simple to use.
2. CPD Doorstep Delivery
Doorstep delivery allows departments or groups of departments or practitioners, to request bespoke education and training to be delivered in your hospital trust or any appropriate venue. This provides CPD, education and training of your design at a time and venue of your choosing.
3. CPD SHU
This dimension incorporates 'conventional' CPD delivered at Sheffield Hallam in the form of study days, short courses, independent study, work-based learning modules and conferences. Postgraduate modules from masters programmes and awards are all available for study on a stand alone basis, for academic credit, or without assessment and academic credit for CPD purposes only.
4. CPD Byte Size
For this dimension we provide short, focused packages of CPD information that you select, pay for and access online. The packages of CPD information available via Byte Size may combine textual, audio-visual and other learning objects in bite-size chunks. If your CPD needs and requirements are not covered by the existing items, you can also request and commission bespoke CPD Byte Size packages tailored to your individual needs.
5. CPD Consultancy
This dimension allows us to work with your organisation to evaluate systems for CPD and facilitate staff development.
Further information
For more information about our radiotherapy CPD provision visit our CPD Anywhere web pages. If you would like an informal discussion around your requirements, please contact Jo Doughty, our CPD lead for radiotherapy, on j.p.doughty@shu.ac.uk
Visit the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing continuing professional development website to search our modules database.
Healthcare research
Centre for Health and Social Care Research
We specialise in research that is significant for service users and their carers, and for professionals in the health and social care services. Our staff are also health and social care professionals. They bring together expertise in health sciences and social sciences to conduct applied research.
The centre's research is made up of six themes, each of which is led by a senior researcher. They are
• professional education
• rehabilitation
• older people
• workforce and organisational development
• children and families
• pain
The centre combines these themes to make best use of our interdisciplinary potential. There is a lively postgraduate culture with a mix of full-time and part-time students working towards their MPhil or PhD. You can also study for a professional doctorate.
Centre for Professional and Organisation Development
Playing an active part in the modernisation of health and social care, the centre supports the development of managers of health and social services at all levels with accredited development programmes, short courses, consultancy projects, research and evaluation.
We specialise in research that is significant for service users and their carers, and for professionals in the health and social care services. Our staff are also health and social care professionals. They bring together expertise in health sciences and social sciences to conduct applied research.The centre's research is made up of six themes, each of which is led by a senior researcher. They are• professional education • rehabilitation • older people • workforce and organisational development • children and families • pain
The centre combines these themes to make best use of our interdisciplinary potential. There is a lively postgraduate culture with a mix of full-time and part-time students working towards their MPhil or PhD. You can also study for a professional doctorate.
Playing an active part in the modernisation of health and social care, the centre supports the development of managers of health and social services at all levels with accredited development programmes, short courses, consultancy projects, research and evaluation.
Radiotherapy part one (1:44)
Watch a video of academic Jo McNamara discussing studying radiotherapy and oncology at Sheffield Hallam.
Radiotherapy part two (1:48)
Watch a video of academic Jo McNamara discussing studying radiotherapy and oncology at Sheffield Hallam.
Radiotherapy part three (1:36)
Watch a video of academic Jo McNamara discussing studying radiotherapy and oncology at Sheffield Hallam.
Together in the real world of health and social care
Our health and social care courses place a strong emphasis on interprofessional learning. This means that you train alongside practitioners from other health professions. So, depending on your course you could spend time working alongside
• nurses
• midwives
• operating department practitioners
This gives you a fresh perspective on situations. And it also prepares you for the real world. Collaboration between health professionals is increasing as organisations try to provide a more integrated and effective service. At Sheffield Hallam we understand that by working together we can we give the best possible care.