David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
UCLA, Radiation Oncology
Graduate Medical Education
Basic Information
The UCLA Department of Radiation Oncology Residency Training Program is an educational program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). It offers a four-year long residency training in the specialty of radiation oncology, after the trainee (resident) has satisfactorily completed one year of clinical training (internship) in medicine, surgery, or a transitional program at any institute accredited by the ACGME. The Program has general objectives in accordance with the Institutional, Common and Specific Program Requirements for Residency Education as specified by the ACGME, and specific objectives issued by the Program Director and approved by the Residency Review Committee (RRC) for Radiation Oncology. The Program's curriculum and goals and objectives are designed by the Residency Curriculum Review Committee (RCRC) under the direction of the Program Director, and its administration is conducted with the assistance of the designated Residency Administrator. The Program is run under the joint supervision of the Chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology and the UCLA Graduate Medical Education Council (GMEC) through its Institutional Program Review mechanism.
Overall Goals
The overall goal of the Program is to train residents to acquire the necessary skills for their future practice of radiation oncology, as well as to help them excel in developing the professionalism of a compassionate and responsible physician. Furthermore, since radiation oncology is a specialty involving multidisciplinary collaboration, residents are expected to learn the art of interacting with other specialists in a collegial and professional manner as well as assuming professional leadership specifically in radiation oncology and more broadly in a general health-care environment. Because the specialty is founded on sound scientific principles, academic research in the field is highly encouraged. To fulfill such goals, the Program has specific learning objectives for each training year, with increasing level of expectation and responsibility for residents as they advance in training. As far as technical competency is concerned, the Program aims to prepare residents for the certification examination in radiation oncology by satisfying the requirements of the American Board of Radiology (ABR). Ultimately, the Program intends to train each resident to be an independent practitioner of a specific art of medical healing based on proven scientific knowledge, acquired clinical wisdoms, and high ethical standards.
Program Description
The Program faculty consists of 6 radiation oncologists, as well as 6 medical physicists and 4 radiation biologists. The Department houses 4 megavoltage linear accelerators (LINAC) and one CT Simulator. Brachytherapy techniques with either high-dose-rate (HDR) after-loading or low-dose-rate (LDR) - both interstitial and intracavitary - are available. The Department is an integral part of an interdepartmental graduate program (UCLA Graduate Division of Biomedical Physics) training professional medical physicists, and thus is very active in the academic research and development in the state-of-art radiation therapy technology. Furthermore, the Department also houses a world-renowned cancer biology research division (UCLA Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology), and can provide any interested resident superb training in bench-type cancer biology research. As part of the NCI-accredited UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Department provides the residents an excellent training atmosphere for multi-disciplinary cancer research and care.
The overall length of the residency training in Radiation Oncology is 48 months. In accordance with the Program Requirements for Residency Education specified by the ACGME, at least 36 months will be spent by the resident in clinical radiation oncology at the UCLA Medical Center (Westwood campus) and its integrated program at the Veteran's Administration, West Los Angeles (VAWLA). Specific guidelines for rotations are detailed in another section of the Goals & Objectives.
Required rotations may be instituted as needed to provide residents with the required cases for their training, including pediatric oncology at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA). Similarly, arrangement can be made for residents to take electives at other academic institutes and affiliated programs, but only with prior approval from the Program Director and under the auspice of the Residency Curriculum Review Committee.
The required training in medical oncology, oncologic pathology, and diagnostic imaging will be fulfilled either by attending regular multidisciplinary cancer conferences, or by rotating through the respective specialty departments for full-time training.
Scholarly activity is a requirement for all residents, regardless whether one is interested in a career in academic medicine or private practice. Presentation of a submission-ready manuscript is required to obtain a certificate of completion, and may be clinical, health services, translational or basic laboratory research. All are encouraged to submit the result of their research for presentation at scientific conferences as well as for peer-reviewed publication.
UCLA, Radiation Oncology is committed to teaching residents according to the following six core competencies as designated by the ACGME: patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, and system-based practice.
1. Patient care (PC)
Provide patient care through safe, efficient, appropriately utilized, quality-controlled radiation therapy and effectively communicate with the referring physician and/or other appropriate individuals in a timely manner.
2. Medical knowledge (MK)
Engage in continuous learning using up to date evidence and applying appropriate state of the art radiation therapy techniques to meet the needs of patients, referring physicians and the health care system.
3. Practice-based learning and improvement (PBLI)
Participation in the evaluation of one's personal practice utilizing scientific evidence, practice guidelines and standards as metrics, and self-assessment programs in order to optimize patient care through lifelong learning.
4. Interpersonal and communication skills (IC)
Communicate effectively with patients, colleagues, referring physicians and other members of the health care team concerning informed consent, safety issues, and the indications for and the benefits, risks, and side effects of radiation, as well as the integration with other treatment modalities and the proper work-up and follow-up of patients. Communicate effectively with all members of the health care team regarding specific patient management issues.
5. Professionalism (P)
Commit to high standards of professional conduct, demonstrating altruism, compassion, honesty and integrity. Follow principles of ethics and confidentiality and consider religious, ethnic, gender, educational and other differences in interacting with patients and other members of the health care team
6. System-based practice (SBP)
Understand how the components of the local and national healthcare system function interdependently and how changes to improve the system involve group and individual efforts. Optimize coordination of patient care both within one's own practice and within the healthcare system. Consult with other healthcare professionals, and educate healthcare consumers, regarding the most appropriate utilization of radiation oncology resources.
For more information refer to the Radiation Oncology Residency Training Manual.
Application Information
Our program has an approved complement of 6 residents. Applications are accepted through the Electronic Residency Application Systems (ERAS). Our application deadline is October 31st and applications must include the following information.
- Curriculum Vitae
- Personal Statement
- Undergraduate and Graduate Transcripts
- USMLE Results
- Three (3) Letters of Reference
For further information on applications or any other residency related issues, please contact the Kathy Rose at (310) 267-5575 or krose@mednet.ucla.edu.