Practical Radiation Protection —
Training activity: 6

Details

Undertake a dose survey and/or measurements of radiation dose around an ionising radiation installation, analyse the results and make recommendations on the adequacy of shielding and designation of areas

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

• Instantaneous dose rate (IDR) measurements and/or environmental monitoring
• Annual dose limits and constraints
• Guidance on appropriate designation of areas
• Acceptability of radiation levels and action that may need to be taken based on findings
• Working safely whilst taking measurements
• Appropriate authorisation routes for advice

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 defines successful performance of a dose survey, interpretation of results, and recommendations for shielding and area designation?
  • Discuss with your Training Officer to gain clarity on the specific installation (e.g., general x-ray, CT scanner, nuclear medicine hot lab), the required measurement points, the expected level of analysis, and the format for recommendations.
• Reflect on any previous experience with radiation detection equipment, data collection, or basic statistical analysis. Have you observed or assisted with any radiation surveys before?
  • Consider possible challenges you might face, such as selecting the correct survey meter for the radiation type, ensuring accurate measurement techniques, accounting for background radiation, or interpreting complex dose rate variations. How might you handle these challenges?
  • When would you need to seek advice on instrument calibration, complex shielding calculations, or formal designation of controlled/supervised areas?
  • Are you confident in your practical skills with survey meters, or do you anticipate needing more guidance on measurement techniques or data analysis?
• Identify specific skills you want to develop, such as the proficient use of various survey meters, systematic dose measurement techniques, graphical representation of dose data, and the ability to formulate evidence-based recommendations for shielding.
  • Identify the specific insights you hope to gain into the practical implementation of dose limitation principles and the role of surveys in verifying facility safety and compliance.
• What additional considerations do you need to make?
  • Consult actions identified following previous experiences related to instrumentation or data collection.
  • Identify important information you need to consider, such as the type of radiation being measured, the operational parameters of the x-ray installation during the survey, and relevant dose limits for different areas.
  • Ensure you understand the importance of patient and staff presence during measurements.

In action

• Are you noticing anything surprising or different from what you anticipate during the radiation dose survey or measurement activity?
  • Are you encountering situations such as:
    • A new or unusual pattern in dose rate readings that defies initial expectations (e.g., hot spots, unexpected attenuation)?
    • An unexpected instrument malfunction or calibration issue during measurements?
    • Conflicting data points from different measurement locations or repeated readings that make critical evaluation difficult?
    • An anticipated shielding adequacy or area designation conclusion that turned out to be incorrect based on your survey results?
  • How does this experience compare with previous experiences of similar radiation survey activities or measurement tasks?
• How is any unexpected development being resolved as you progress during the dose survey and analysis?
  • 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 interpreting complex dose mapping results is incomplete or requires senior review)?
  • What are you learning in this moment as a result of any unexpected development? For example, are you learning a new approach to instrument positioning for accurate dose measurements, or a more robust method for identifying shielding deficiencies?
• How is this impacting your actions? For example, are you responding to the situation appropriately?
  • Are you adapting or changing your survey methodology or measurement technique? 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 instrument settings or calibration records immediately?
    • Are you consulting relevant guidelines for radiation surveys or area classification more thoroughly than planned?
    • Are you seeking advice from a more experienced colleague or your training officer to understand the dose measurement anomaly or unexpected finding?
    • Are you changing your initial approach to analysing results or making recommendations on shielding based on new insights?

On action

• What happened during the dose survey and measurements around the ionising radiation installation?
  • Summarise the key points of your experience undertaking the dose survey, analysing results, and making recommendations.
  • What specific events, actions (e.g., choice of equipment, measurement technique), or interactions felt important, including your own feelings during the process?
  • Did you have any ‘reflect-in-action’ moments where you adapted your survey method or analysis based on initial findings or unexpected readings?
• How has this dose survey experience contributed to your developing practice?
  • What learning can you take from this experience? What strengths did you demonstrate in performing the survey, analysing the data, or formulating recommendations on shielding/area designation? What skills and/or knowledge gaps were evident, particularly concerning the interpretation of measurements or the application of standards?
  • Compare this experience against previous engagements with similar activities. Were any previous identified actions for development achieved? Has your practice in conducting dose surveys and making recommendations improved?
  • Identify any challenges you experienced during the survey, measurement, analysis, or recommendation phases (e.g., equipment issues, unexpected dose rates, complex facility layouts) and how you reacted to these. Did this affect your ability to deal with the situation? Were you able to overcome the challenges?
  • Identify anything significant about the activity, such as needing to seek advice or clarification on measurement protocols, shielding calculations, or area designation criteria, or needing to escalate a significant finding regarding dose rates.
• What will you take from the dose survey and measurement experience moving forward?
  • Identify the actions or ‘next steps’ you will now take to support the assimilation of what you have learned, including from any feedback received on your survey or recommendations.
  • What will you do differently next time you undertake a dose survey around an ionising radiation installation?
  • Has anything changed in terms of what you would do if you were faced with a similar measurement or analysis situation again?
  • Do you need to practise any aspect of radiation dose measurement, data analysis, or recommendation formulation further?

Beyond action

• Have you reviewed your previous reflections and identified actions for improvement related to undertaking dose surveys and measurements around ionising radiation installations, analysing results, and making recommendations on shielding and area designation?
  • What specific steps did you identify to enhance your practice in performing and interpreting measurements of radiation or advising on further action?
  • Have you successfully implemented these actions in subsequent similar activities?
  • Are you now confident and prepared to demonstrate this accumulated learning into practice for future instances of dose surveys and recommendations?
  • Did discussing your approach to these surveys and analyses with others offer new perspectives or insights that changed your understanding of the measurement process, data interpretation, or the implications for shielding and area designation?
• How does the learning gained from repeatedly undertaking dose surveys and reflecting on it support your preparation for observed in-person assessments for the module?
  • How has your practice in undertaking dose surveys and making recommendations developed and evolved over time through these multiple engagements?
• Can you identify specific instances where your ability to accurately measure radiation, analyse results, or provide effective recommendations for shielding and area designation has improved?
  • How has this holistic reflection helped you better recognise when an aspect of dose surveying or recommendation might be beyond your current scope of practice, and when to seek advice or escalate?

Relevant learning outcomes

#	Outcome
# 3	Outcome Perform and interpret measurements of radiation, draw conclusions on adequacy of control measures and advise on further action.
# 4	Outcome Calculate estimated radiation doses, evaluating the limitations and uncertainties of the approach.