CBET, Radiology Oncology Systems, and Linax Technologies have teamed up to offer online and simulator-based courses aimed at expanding access to training on medical linear accelerators used in cancer treatment.
The College of Biomedical Equipment Technology (CBET), Radiology Oncology Systems Inc, and Linax Technologies Ltd have partnered to establish and launch a new series of online and simulator-based courses designed to teach the technical, operational, and physical principles of medical linear accelerators.
According to the partnering organizations, medical linear accelerators—targeting radiation to treat a broad range of cancers—are among the most complex medical devices routinely used in hospitals. They note that due to the equipment’s complexity and potential dangers associated with radiation errors, these devices must be operated with precision and maintained by fully qualified and knowledgeable technicians. The companies say the new training initiative is intended to provide affordable, high-quality education to help meet what they describe as a critical need in the healthcare technology management (HTM) field.
“Developing a strong HTM workforce with expertise in linear accelerator training is not just a technical need; it is a patient safety imperative,” says John Vano, president of Radiology Oncology Systems, a provider of reconditioned radiation therapy and diagnostic imaging solutions, in a release. “More and more manufacturers are entering this space, and this new CBET educational track offers a progressive, multi-level curriculum that equips students with the fundamentals to begin or continue a career in medical linear accelerators.”
Courses Aim to Fill Training Gap in Linear Accelerator Service and Support
The CBET Linac Fundamentals courses are designed to provide students with a structured understanding of the medical linear accelerator and its utilization of external beam treatments for high-quality patient care. Preparing students to triage and manage linear accelerator operations and maintenance, progressing from basic and intermediate levels of linac physics, engineering, and application factors of this specialized equipment in a cancer care clinical environment through deeper navigation of linac equipment and subsystems, serves an HTM industry skills gap and demand, according to the partnering organizations.
“Up until now, the only way to learn the principles of medical linear accelerators was to attend a vendor course. With the collaboration between Linax, [Radiology Oncology Systems], and CBET, we aim to broaden the medical linac service technician community and provide an affordable, accessible, and long-overdue training course for service technicians,” says Marco Carlone, CEO of Linax, a creator of simulators of radiotherapy devices, in a release.
Richard Gonzales, president of CBET, adds in a release, “Empowering biomeds with linear accelerator training is essential as their expanding roles drive initiatives that enhance quality, patient care, and innovation in healthcare technology.”
Photo caption: Medical linear accelerator
Photo credit: Radiation Oncology Systems
