Competency: 15

Details

Handle sealed and unsealed radioactive sources, demonstrating the application of the principles of time, distance and shielding to minimise radiation dose.

Considerations

• The types and quantities of radiation being used in the various locations within the organisation.
• Application of relevant legislation and guidance to protect patients, staff and the public in nuclear medicine and diagnostic radiology.
• Measures that are taken to ensure that radiation doses are as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA), with particular reference to children, and to pregnant and breast-feeding patients.
• Legislation and sources of advice relevant to the practice of Nuclear Medicine and Diagnostic Radiology, distinguishing between acts, regulations, codes of practice and guidance.
• Radiation safety information that should be given to patients following the administration of diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals.
• How to minimise contamination and decontamination procedures.
• The importance of Environment Agency (EA)/ Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) application and approval, and the purpose of such application.
• The requirements and limitations of the organisation’s certificates permitting the acquisition, storing and disposal of radioactive waste.
• The criteria for safe storage and disposal of radioactive materials.
• The requirements of various items of legislation that govern the management of radioactive materials and waste.
• The legislative requirements for packaging, labelling and transport of radioactive material.
• Methods of monitoring for radioactivity and contamination, and the appropriateness of each method to a given scenario.
• Requirements for monitoring f records of radioactive materials in store.
• Requirements for annual reporting on transfer and disposal of radioactive substances.
• The hazards associated with and protection measures required to work safety in a radiation area.
• Precautions that should be followed by diagnostic and therapy patients on their return home.
• Contraindications to and adverse effects of performance of therapy, including allergies, medical conditions, drug interactions or previous diagnostic investigations.
• Clinical features that may influence the procedure.
• Specific requirements of ‘comforters and carers’.
• Range of protocols and how they may be adapted to meet patient need.
• Significance of previous results on the performance of planned procedures.
• Range of special needs that may require adaptation of procedure.

Relevant learning outcomes