UWA PLUS
The Medical Management of Radiation Injuries micro-credential equips participants with the practical knowledge and confidence required to recognise, assess, and manage radiation-related illness and injury in both routine and disaster settings. Designed for healthcare professionals working in emergency, acute, prehospital, disaster, and public health environments, the course bridges the gap between theoretical radiation science and real-world clinical practice.
Participants will develop an understanding of ionising radiation, contamination and exposure pathways, radiation detection and safety principles, and the clinical presentation of acute radiation syndrome and local radiation injury. The course also explores the medical management of contaminated patients, decontamination procedures, triage during radiological incidents, and the psychological and systems challenges that accompany high-consequence events.
Importantly, this micro-credential focuses on practical applicability. Through case-based learning and clinically grounded scenarios, participants will learn how to make safe, evidence-based decisions in situations that are often unfamiliar and high pressure. The curriculum draws on contemporary disaster medicine principles and reflects the growing global importance of radiological preparedness in healthcare systems. Whether responding to industrial accidents, transportation incidents, malicious events, or broader disaster scenarios, clinicians are increasingly expected to understand the medical implications of radiation exposure. This course provides a rare opportunity to build capability in an area that is highly specialised, increasingly relevant, and seldom taught in depth within traditional medical training.
Those who successfully complete the micro-credential will leave better prepared to contribute confidently to emergency department, hospital, and health system responses to radiological and nuclear incidents.
Upon successful completion, you'll receive:
06 July 2026- 30 August 2026 [MC-3Q]
05 October 2026- 29 November 2026 [MC-4Q]
Duration
Critical information summary:
demonstrate foundational knowledge of radiation science, radiation injury, contamination management, and radiological disaster response
apply evidence-based clinical reasoning to the assessment, triage, and management of radiation-exposed or contaminated patients while maintaining personal and team safety
develop an understanding of interdisciplinary coordination, ethical decision-making, and health system preparedness during high-consequence incidents
These skills and capabilities are assessed through case-based discussions, applied clinical scenarios, quizzes, discussions with peers, and practical exercises focused on decision-making, communication, and safe management principles in radiological emergencies
This micro-credential provides clinicians with practical skills and knowledge in an area of medicine that is increasingly relevant, yet rarely taught in conventional healthcare training. Radiological incidents—whether accidental, industrial, environmental, or deliberate—require healthcare professionals to respond confidently in situations that are unfamiliar, high consequence, and often resource pressured.
Studying this course will strengthen participants' ability to assess and manage radiation injuries safely, contribute
effectively during major incidents, and support broader health system preparedness. It also offers valuable insight into disaster medicine, emergency response, and interagency coordination. Participants will graduate with greater confidence, preparedness, and capability to respond to complex radiological and nuclear events in modern healthcare environments.
Who should study this course?
This micro-credential is designed for healthcare professionals who may encounter radiation-related incidents in clinical, emergency, disaster, or public health settings. It is particularly relevant for emergency physicians, trainees, nurses, paramedics, disaster and retrieval personnel, public health practitioners, and clinicians involved in hospital preparedness or major incident planning.
The course is also valuable for medical educators, health leaders, and professionals with an interest in disaster medicine, toxicology, humanitarian response, or emergency management. No prior expertise in radiation science is required. The curriculum is structured to build practical understanding from foundational principles through to real-world clinical application.
As radiological and nuclear preparedness becomes an increasingly important component of health system resilience worldwide, this course offers participants an opportunity to develop capability in a highly specialised area that is rarely covered in depth during standard healthcare training.
Recommended prior knowledge:
This micro-credential assumes basic knowledge of casualty care. It is not suitable for healthcare students who are yet to finish their foundational course of study.
A total of 75 hours composed of readings and watching of recorded videos, learning activities and discussion boards, and completion of assessment tasks.
A half day of face to face practical activities to reinforce learning (e.g. PPE, dosimetry) is included, but not essential.
What's next after this course?
