Queensland first training program for Nuclear Medicine

A Queensland first university partnership is helping secure the future of Nuclear Medicine for Metro North and beyond.

The new partnership with Victorian University, RMIT allows local students to embark on their careers as Nuclear Medicine Scientists, without needing to move interstate.

Travis Pearson is the Director of Nuclear Medicine Technology at RBWH and says the new program is a game changer for students and future patients.

“Nuclear medicine delivers clinical services that cannot be provided by any other modality, and there has been huge growth in demand within oncology and cancer care,” Travis said.

“This program will support local students, so we can have the workforce we need at the other end. We intend for this to be our business-as-usual model, developing a local pipeline for our workforce.”

The first cohort of students began the program this month, with eight students embedded in Queensland Health hospitals across the state, including at RBWH and TPCH.

The students will undertake their Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science, specialising in Nuclear Medicine Science through RMIT while completing all clinical placements here in Queensland.

Three of the eight students are being supported by Metro North, including Alexandra.

Alexandra says she’s excited about taking her first steps toward a career in Nuclear Medicine and looks forward to joining the ranks of Queensland Health.
“I thought it was one of the most fascinating courses I’ve ever discovered, and I was so pleased to hear that they were opening one in Queensland,” Alexandra said.

“I think it’s an amazing opportunity for patients as well as the students.”

Alexandra said that if the course had not been available in Queensland through RMIT, she would have found it difficult to relocate and financially support herself in a new city.
Current student, Carys, knows how hard that can be. Carys began her studies in 2023, before the course was available in Queensland.

“In 2023, there was no option to study in Queensland. RMIT offered a nuclear medicine course, but Queensland had no courses available for nuclear medicine. Moving was my only option,” Carys said.“If the course had been available in Queensland, it would’ve been a lot easier. Studying in Queensland would have made a huge difference.”

Travis said the program means students don’t need to grapple with those difficult decisions, as it has been designed to lessen the financial burden on students.
“With a program like this, in years to come we can hope to see more equitable access for students, and for patients that means we’ll have the clinical staff to deliver the care they need.”Applications for the 2026 cohort of students is anticipated to commence later this year and will be open to applicants graduating high school or those after a career change.

Queensland Health is also offering each student a $15,000 scholarship to assist them complete their studies.