Training activity information
Details
Carry out an audit of compliance against the requirements of radioactive substances regulation
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee​.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Considerations
- Management process for tracking and monitoring radioactive materials
- Conditions of an EPR permit or equivalent
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- Familiarise yourself with the specific regulations and standards that will be the focus of the audit (e.g., ARSAC guidance).
- How are regulatory requirements translated into practical procedures? What are common areas of non-compliance?
- What is your current understanding of auditing processes and relevant radioactive substances regulations?
- Ask your Training Officer about the scope of the audit, the audit criteria, and any existing audit protocols.
- How will you gather evidence? How will you document findings? What if you encounter resistance during the audit?
- How comfortable are you with audit processes and regulatory frameworks?
In action
- How are you currently conducting the audit of compliance?
- What specific regulations are you focusing on at this stage?
- What methods are you using to gather evidence of compliance or non-compliance?
- How are you determining whether evidence demonstrates compliance?
- What criteria are you using to assess the significance of any identified non-compliances?
- Are you becoming more familiar with the regulatory requirements? Are you having to consciously refer to audit protocols or checklists?
- Is your audit process effectively identifying areas of compliance and non-compliance with the regulations? Are you gathering sufficient evidence to support your findings?
- Are you encountering difficulties in accessing necessary records, interpreting regulatory language, or dealing with conflicting information?
- Are you gaining a deeper understanding of the practical application of radioactive substances regulations within a healthcare setting?
- Are you applying your knowledge of relevant legislation, audit principles, and risk assessment?
- If your initial audit approach is not yielding the necessary information, are there other methods for gathering evidence or assessing compliance?
- Would clarifying your interpretation of a specific regulation with your supervisor be helpful?
- Are the audit judgements you are making aligned with your level of training and understanding of the regulatory framework?
On action
- What specific aspects of the radioactive substances regulations were the focus of your audit?
- What methods did you use to gather evidence of compliance (e.g., documentation review, observations, interviews)?
- What were the key findings of your audit in terms of compliance and non-compliance?
- Were there any areas where evidence of compliance was difficult to obtain or assess?
- What are the key regulatory requirements for the keeping, use, and disposal of radioactive material in medicine?
- How is compliance with these regulations demonstrated in practice?
- What are the potential consequences of non-compliance?
- How did this activity enhance your ability to interpret and audit adherence with regulatory frameworks?
- How will this experience inform your understanding of the importance of regulatory compliance in your future practice?
- What aspects of the audit process will you pay particular attention to in future audits or reviews?
- How might you contribute to maintaining and improving compliance within your workplace?
Beyond action
- Have you had the chance to see if the areas you audited have been re-audited?
- Were the findings consistent?
- Did your recommendations lead to any observable changes in practice?
- Have you discussed your audit experience with others who have conducted similar audits? Did they encounter similar challenges or identify different areas of focus?
- How has performing this audit enhanced your understanding of the specific requirements of radioactive substances regulations?
- Has this experience improved your ability to systematically assess compliance and identify areas of non-conformance in other regulatory contexts?
- What skills in regulatory interpretation, data collection, and objective assessment did you develop that will be valuable in future auditing or quality assurance roles?
- How has this experience influenced your understanding of the importance of regulatory compliance in ensuring the safe use and management of radioactive materials?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Interpret and audit adherence with the regulatory framework around keeping, use and disposal of radioactive material in medicine. |