Training activity information
Details
Undertake the design of a simple radiation installation e.g. dental or general x-ray
Type
Entrustable training activity (ETA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee repeatedly, consistently, and effectively over time, in a range of situations. This may include occasions where the trainee has not successfully achieved the outcome of the activity themselves. For example, because it was not appropriate to undertake the task in the circumstances or the trainees recognised their own limitations and sought help or advice to ensure the activity reached an appropriate conclusion.
Reflection at multiple timepoints on the trainee learning journey for this activity.
Considerations
- Shielding requirements and engineering controls
- Compliance with legislation
- Liaising with other professional groups as required
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
- What does success look like for this activity?
- Review the learning outcomes for the module. How do they define successful design and appraisal for a simple radiation installation?
- Discuss with your Training Officer to gain clarity on the specific expectations for a simple radiation installation design, such as a dental or general x-ray facility, and what constitutes a complete and compliant design submission.
- What is your prior experience of undertaking such designs?
- Reflect on any previous exposure to architectural drawings, shielding calculations, or regulatory requirements for radiation installations. Have you observed senior colleagues undertaking similar design tasks?
- Consider possible challenges you might face, such as accurately performing shielding calculations, understanding specific building codes, or navigating software for design. How might you handle these challenges?
- When would you need to seek advice or help from a senior physicist or a facilities expert?
- Are you confident in your theoretical knowledge of radiation physics, or do you anticipate needing more support in practical application?
- Identify specific skills you aim to develop, such as proficiency in using design software, applying legislation to practical scenarios, or critically evaluating design options for optimal radiation protection.
- Identify the specific insights you hope to gain regarding the interplay between safety, functionality, and regulatory compliance in radiation facility design.
- What additional considerations do you need to make?
- Consult any actions identified following previous experiences related to radiation protection principles or technical drawing if applicable.
- Identify important information you need to consider before starting, such as relevant legislation (e.g., IRR17, CDM), local hospital policies, or specific guidelines for dental/general x-ray room design.
In action
- Are you noticing anything surprising or different from what you anticipate during the design process for the simple radiation installation?
- Are you encountering situations such as:
- An unexpected shielding calculation result (e.g., higher than anticipated thickness required for a wall)?
- A new or unusual architectural constraint that defies initial expectations for the room layout?
- Conflicting data points regarding radiation output of the chosen x-ray unit that make critical evaluation difficult?
- An anticipated regulatory requirement for the installation that turned out to be incorrect or more stringent during your design process?
- How does this experience compare with previous experiences of similar design activities or problem-solving tasks?
- Are you encountering situations such as:
- How is any unexpected development being resolved as you progress during the design of the radiation installation?
- How are you working within your scope of practice? Are you successfully managing the situation yourself, or do you need support because it is beyond your current scope (for example, if the shielding design is incomplete or requires senior review due to complexity)?
- What are you learning in this moment as a result of any unexpected development? For example, are you learning a new approach to interpreting design specifications, or a more robust method for identifying potential radiation leakage points?
- How is this impacting your actions? For example, are you responding to the situation appropriately? Are you adapting or changing your approach to the design methodology? Is it affecting your ability to undertake the activity independently?
- Consider the steps you are taking in the moment, such as:
- Are you re-checking design parameters or legislative requirements immediately?
- Are you consulting relevant design standards (e.g., for shielding) or local rules more thoroughly than planned?
- Are you seeking advice from a more experienced colleague or your training officer to understand the design anomaly or unexpected challenge?
- Are you changing your initial approach to developing the installation plans based on new insights?
- Consider the steps you are taking in the moment, such as:
On action
- What happened during the design of the simple radiation installation?
- Begin by summarising the key points of your experience designing the installation. Which specific events, actions, or interactions felt important? How did you feel during the design process?
- Were there any moments during the design (reflect-in-action) where you had to adapt your approach to the situation as it unfolded?
- How has this experience contributed to your developing practice in designing simple radiation installations?
- What learning can you take from this experience?
- What strengths did you demonstrate in your design capabilities?
- Were there any evident gaps in your skills or knowledge regarding radiation installation design?
- How did this design experience compare against previous engagements with similar activities, if any? Were any previously identified actions for development achieved? Has your practice in designing radiation installations improved?
- Identify any challenges you experienced during the design process and how you reacted to these. Did these challenges affect your ability to complete the design? Were you able to overcome them?
- Was anything significant about this activity, such as needing to seek advice or clarification regarding design principles or regulations, or needing to escalate a concern to ensure you were working within your scope of practice?
- What will you take from the design of the simple radiation installation experience moving forward?
- Identify the actions or ‘next steps’ you will now take to support the assimilation of what you have learned, including any feedback you received on your design. What will you do differently next time you design a simple radiation installation?
- Has anything changed in terms of what you would do if you were faced with a similar design situation again? Do you need to practice any aspect of designing radiation installations further?
Beyond action
- Have you reviewed your previous reflections and identified actions for improvement related to undertaking the design of simple radiation installations, such as dental or general x-ray facilities?
- What specific steps did you identify to enhance your practice in formulating designs and advice for radiation installations?
- Have you successfully implemented these actions in subsequent similar design activities?
- Are you now confident and prepared to demonstrate this accumulated learning into practice for future instances of designing simple radiation installations?
- Did discussing your approach to these designs with others offer new perspectives or insights that changed your understanding of the situation, the design principles, or your overall design practice?
- How does the learning gained from repeatedly undertaking the design of simple radiation installations and reflecting on it support your preparation for observed in-person assessments for the module?
- How has your practice in designing simple radiation installations developed and evolved over time through these multiple engagements?
- Can you identify specific instances where your understanding or execution of design principles for radiation facilities has improved?
- How has this holistic reflection helped you better recognise when an aspect of radiation installation design might be beyond your current scope of practice, and when to seek advice or escalate?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 1 |
Outcome
Formulate designs and advice for radiation installations. |
| # 2 |
Outcome
Critically appraise the risks and safety requirements associated with ionising and non-ionising radiation. |