Student Sponsorships and Bursaries

The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency financially sponsors selected students for their Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy. There are three possibilities for students to be financially sponsored; students who apply with the Michener Institute/University of Toronto or Cancer Care Manitoba/University of Winnipeg programs or students who are in a Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy from anywhere across Canada. 

The Cancer Agency sponsors selected students with the Michener Institute and the University of Toronto and Cancer Care Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg for their Bachelor of Science in Radiation Therapy. 

Financial Sponsorship and How to Apply  

When applicants apply to their program of choice, they are encouraged to apply to the Cancer Agency for financial sponsorship.

If you are currently enrolled in a radiation therapy degree program at a Canadian university, applications are now being accepted for financial sponsorship from the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency until February 16, 2025.

Preference will be given to Saskatchewan students; however, applicants from other provinces may also be considered. This program is not available to international students. 

Please email the Radiation Therapy Clinical Educators for more information. 

Michener/University of Toronto

Please refer to the University of Toronto website, MRS Application Requirements, Deadlines and Procedures for information about applying to their program. Applicants are encouraged to apply for financial sponsorship from the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.

More information is available here: MRS Out-of-Province Opportunity for the Michener/University of Toronto program.

Cancer Care Manitoba/University of Winnipeg

Please refer to the Cancer Care Manitoba/University of Winnipeg website for information about applying to their program. Applicants are encouraged to apply for financial sponsorship from the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.

Radiation Therapists

Radiation therapists are extremely important members of the health-care team, as they are involved in all aspects of treatment planning, delivery and care of cancer patients receiving radiation therapy.

What is Radiation Therapy?

Radiation therapy is a form of cancer treatment that uses radiation with the goal of either curing the patient or managing symptoms. Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to damage cancer cells, stopping them from growing and dividing. External radiation uses focused beams of radiation to destroy tumours while minimizing harm to healthy tissues. Individuals may also have internal radiation therapy where radioactive material is implanted directly into or very near a tumour inside the patient.

Who Administers Radiation Therapy?

Radiation therapists are important members of the health-care team in treating cancer. They plan, deliver and provide care and education to people receiving radiation therapy.

What Duties Does a Radiation Therapist Perform?

As members of a team of skilled professional health-care providers, radiation therapists:

• assist radiation oncologists in the planning and delivery of treatment
• explain procedures and answer patients’ concerns and questions
• position the patient and equipment correctly
• ensure that proper radiation handling and protection techniques are followed
• administer radiation treatments, which include monitoring patients during procedures and providing advice on minimizing radiation reactions
• provide emotional support and patient education
• maintain patient records

Who Should Consider a Career in Radiation Therapy?

If you have a good background in the sciences, strong technical skills and the ability to work with care and precision, you should consider radiation therapy as a career. Patience, understanding and tolerance, as well as strong interpersonal and teamwork skills are important qualities to have.

Where Can I Find More Information?

For more information about the program contact us at:
Phone: 306-766-2288
Email: rtschoolinfo@saskcancer.ca

Bursaries for Hard-to-Recruit Positions

The Saskatchewan Cancer Agency Bursary Program is a recruitment initiative to attract new graduates of post-secondary health discipline programs who are qualified for designated hard-to-recruit positions within the Cancer Agency. The program is open between January and March each year.  In return for this assistance, a bursary recipient must commit to work at the Cancer Agency.

Eligible hard-to-recruit professions are:

• Clinic Assistant
• Medical Dosimetrist
• Nurse Practitioner
• Oncology Pharmacist
• Oncology Pharmacy Technician
• Physics Technician
• Project Manager
• Radiation Therapist
• Registered Nurse 

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Cancer Agency bursary, you must:

• Be a Saskatchewan resident and hold a valid Saskatchewan health card.

• Be attending an accredited program recognized by the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency in a hard-to-recruit classification.

• Be in the final year of your education program.

• Not have previously received financial assistance for education in return for service from the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.

Bursary Amount

Saskatchewan Cancer Agency bursaries are a one-time award of $2,000 per recipient. Bursaries are considered taxable income.

Return-in-Service Requirement

Bursaries are awarded to individuals who sign a Return-in-Service Agreement agreeing to, upon completion of their program, provide a one-year full-time return in service to the Cancer Agency in the health profession for which the bursary was provided. Failure to provide the return-in-service means bursary funds must be repaid at the rate stipulated in the Return-in-Service Agreement. Applicants are asked to indicate a preference to work in a specific location of the Cancer Agency (Regina or Saskatoon). The Cancer Agency will determine placements in Regina or Saskatoon. The Cancer Agency is under no obligation to ensure employment following completion of training.

Application Process

All bursary applications must include the following:

• A completed Bursary Application Form.

• A letter from the education program verifying enrolment in the final year of program.

• A resume with employment references whom the Cancer Agency may contact to determine eligibility for the Bursary Program.

The deadline to apply is 4:30 p.m., Sunday, February 16, 2025.

Selection Process

Bursaries are awarded through a selection process. Not all applicants are awarded a bursary. The Cancer Agency will consider each applicant based on organizational needs, available funding, program completion dates, applicant's status as Aboriginal person (First Nations or Métis) in support of representative workforce and preference of return-in-service location (applicants willing to complete their return in service in either city are more likely to be awarded a bursary). Applicants may be required to submit transcripts and/or attend an interview to assess their eligibility. Applicants will be required to provide, at their own expense, a current satisfactory criminal record check, including a vulnerable sector check, prior to an offer of employment.