Radiation Protection Advice

Details

Title

Radiation Protection Advice

Type

Stage Two

Module code

HPE120

Requirement

Optional

Module objective

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will have gained the knowledge and experience required to achieve a certificate of competence as a Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) from an HSE approved body.

Radiation employers are legally required to take advice from a certified Radiation Protection Adviser on compliance with the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999, which cover radiation safety of employees and members of the public. The Clinical Scientist in HSST will have the knowledge, skills and experience to undertake the role of an RPA at a corporate level and for at least one medical specialty (e.g. radiotherapy, diagnostic radiology, the use of sealed and unsealed radioactive sources). The Clinical Scientist in HSST will be able to critically appraise organisational governance for relevant radiation protection legislation and advise on regulatory compliance while consistently demonstrating the attitudes and behaviours required of a Consultant Clinical Scientist.

Knowledge and understanding

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will analyse, synthesise, evaluate and critically apply their expert knowledge with respect to radiation protection, including all of the areas required by the HSE approved RPA certification body to be awarded an RPA certificate [1], including:

• The Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 and its Approved Code of Practice, together with knowledge of non-statutory Health and Safety Executive guidance in ‘Work with Ionising Radiation’ and the Medical and Dental Guidance Notes.
• The principles of hazard and risk assessment and their practical application to work with ionising radiation.
• The assessment of risks of actual and potential exposure to ionising radiation, including the calculation of projected exposure.
• Control procedures to restrict radiation exposure, in accordance with the principles of As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP).
• The measurement of radiation dose and dose rate; the measurement and assessment of radioactive contamination, personal and workplace dosimetry.
• Control procedures for work involving the potential for significant radiation exposure, including the designation of areas, access control and the classification and personal monitoring of workers.
• Synthesise and critically appraise radiation protection advice on all aspects of relevant legislation and guidance for at least one medical specialty (e.g. radiotherapy, diagnostic radiology, the use of sealed and unsealed radioactive sources).

Technical and clinical skills

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be able to perform, adapt and master the technical procedures and will:

• Develop and critically evaluate corporate radiation safety policy.
• Critically appraise the policy and procedural documentation required under the relevant radiation safety legislation, including local rules, work supervision, contingency plans, written arrangements for non-classified persons and other relevant working procedures.
• Safely advise on all aspects of relevant ionising radiations regulations and guidance for at least one medical specialty (e.g. radiotherapy, diagnostic radiology, the use of sealed and unsealed radioactive sources), including the action necessary to demonstrate compliance, the designation of areas and the classification of workers.
• Synthesise and evaluate differing and innovative options for management of radiation protection in the medical specialty.
• Design and critically appraise the key considerations for a new facility with regard to patient, public and staff safety in a radiation facility, including the designation of areas, safety and warning features, and the control measures required consistent with the risk and with the hierarchy of those control measures.
• Perform calculations to specify radiation shielding for a range of radiation sources.
• Develop and critically evaluate prior risk assessments and associated documentation, including the calculation of projected exposure from actual or potential sources and the identification of the necessary control measures consistent with the risk and with the hierarchy of those control measures.
• Perform, analyse, report and present ionising radiation safety audits.
• Advise on radiation incidents where applicable, including performing calculations and giving advice for radiation doses received by patients, staff, or members of the public, root cause analysis and regulatory compliance (reporting, compliance with specific regulations).
• Respond to radiation emergencies, being able to make timely decisions to keep doses to patients, staff, or members of the public as low as reasonably practicable. Management of radiation emergencies.
• Give formal advice on the application of national and international standards publications (e.g. BS EN, IEC).
• Design and perform surveys (for example environmental monitoring or leak testing), including selection of appropriate monitoring and measuring equipment and reporting in accordance with appropriate standards for the measurement of radiation dose, dose-rate and radioactive contamination.
• Develop and critically appraise workplace monitoring programmes and analyse and advise on the outcome of workplace monitoring.
• Develop and critically appraise personnel dosimetry programmes and analyse and advise on the outcome of personal dosimetry measurements, including the need for classification of workers.
• Review of and advice on the requirements and provisions for radiation protection training for a radiation facility.

The Clinical Scientist in HSST will also be expected to reflect on the challenges of applying research and innovative technologies to practice in relation to these procedures and suggest improvements, building on a critique of available evidence.

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will apply their detailed knowledge and understanding with respect to radiation protection to a range of clinical environments and provide RPA advice to healthcare organisations, radiation facilities, colleagues and patients.

Attitudes and behaviours

By the end of this module the Clinical Scientist in HSST will be expected to consistently demonstrate the attitudes, behaviours and insights required of a Consultant Clinical Scientist working within the limits of professional competence, referring as appropriate to senior staff, and be able to:

• Appreciate the impact of current clinical and scientific outcomes for the medical RPA in relation to patients, members of staff and members of the public.
• Adhere to, and accept and work within current governance requirements applicable within an organisation, raising concerns when necessary.
• Promote the importance of innovation in service and/or delivery, including the contribution of research and innovation in radiation protection to the NHS, business and the UK economy.
• Engage service users, patients and the public to promote the positive impact of
• expert radiation protection advice from a certified RPA.
• Display an objective and unbiased approach.

Reference

1. RPA 2000. The Competence Certification Schemes. Document RPA2. Instructions for the creation of the portfolio of evidence for RPA certification, published 28 March 2007. http://www.rpa2000.org.uk/images/stories/documents/rpa_scheme/DocRPA2Por tfolioInstructions28Mar07APH.doc