NATIONAL TRAINING COURSE FOR RADIATION SAFETY OFFICERS (RSO) IN DIAGNOSTIC AND INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF RADIATION PROTECTION AND RESEARCH UI CAMPUS IBADAN, 15th -26th AUGUST 2011
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BACKGROUND
Medical exposure is the largest component of radiation exposure to man, diagnostic radiology being the most common mode of exposure. There are over 3000 x ray machine at various level of radiation safety in the country. In fact nearly everyone living in an urban city in Nigeria is likely to undergo exposure to X-ray for a medical diagnostic purpose in his or her lifetime. Therefore it is paramount that radiation safety standards are adhered to in order to optimize doses to patient, workers and the public.
In diagnostic radiology, radiation safety means that exposure of patient is the minimum necessary to achieve the required diagnostic objective taking into account norms of acceptable image quality and the relevant guidance levels (doses) established by appropriate professional bodies for the examination. To meet these set objectives, the NNRA had developed practice specific regulations for Diagnostic Radiology with Guidance documents to assist users in meeting the requirements set by the Regulations.
These requirements for radiation protection and safety set in the regulations can only be met by users through an established comprehensive radiation protection programme that include justification of examination, optimization of protection, selection of appropriate equipment, quality controls test, calibration of equipment, training personnel , established operating procedures for image quality evaluation and clinical dosimetry.
2 OBJECTIVE OF COURSE
Both international and national safety standards for protection against ionizing radiation and safety of radiation sources require that employers, registrants and
Licensees make suitable arrangement for the supervision of work with radiation sources. In order to realize these objectives, the NNRA has published the Nigeria Basic Ionizing Radiation Regulations (NiBIRR) (2003) and Nigerian Radiation Safety in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Regulations (2006) among others. The implementation of this standard requires that a suitably competent worker be designated as the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) in the workplace. The RSO is to directly report to the senior management and should have power to stop unsafe practices. The role of Radiation Safety Officer described in general terms involves:
- Ensuring compliance with local rules and national regulation
- Ensuring workplace and individual monitoring
- Keeping of source inventory and records
- Ensuring the maintenance of equipment and safety systems
- Ensuring the performance testing of new installations, or ensuring the validation of new procedure.
- Ensuring the implementation of emergency plans.
For the reasons above, the RSO must be appropriately trained and knowledgeable in the practice he or she supervises. The NNRA organizes training courses to help various categories of workers in the radiation industry acquire enough competence to carry out their duties and contribute to safe use of radiation sources in Nigeria. This is one of such courses.
3. SCOPE AND COURSE SYLLABUS
The focus of this course is on technical and administrative framework necessary for protection against ionizing radiation and safety of radiation sources in diagnostic radiology. The course is based on the approved International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) training syllabus for RSO. The course consists of lectures, and practical sessions. An examination will be conducted at the end of the course and certificates shall be awarded to successful candidates. The duration of the course is 2 weeks.
The syllabus includes:
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Basic nuclear physics |
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Quantities and units |
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Overview of radiation practices |
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Biological effect of Ionizing radiation |
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Principles of radiation protection and international framework |
vi |
National regulatory frame work-NNRA, the Act, NiBIRR, Nigeria Regulation for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology |
vii |
Operational protection against radiation exposure |
viii |
Assessment of external and internal exposure |
ix |
Transport of radioactive materials |
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Emergency preparedness |
xi |
Equipment and facilities in diagnostic radiology |
xii |
Radiation protection of patients |
xiii |
Occupational radiation protection and |
xiv |
Radiation protection of the public |
At the end of the course, participants are expected to:
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Have a good understanding of the basic principles of radiation protection in diagnostic radiology |
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Understand the roles and duties of an RSO |
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Be able to supervise work with radiation in general practices and check for compliance with specified local rules and procedures. |
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Recognize potentially unsafe situation |
This course and subsequent refresher courses are pre-requisites for NNRA accreditation of RSOs who are designated by licensees.
4.QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT OF APPLICANTS
The course is open for designated RSOs who are employees of diagnostic radiology facilities or young science graduates or individuals with equivalent qualification who wish to pursue a career as RSOs.
5.
Name: National Training Course for Radiation Safety Officers (RSOs) in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology
Venue: National Institute of Radiation Protection and Research(NIRPR) Conference Room, University of Ibadan
Date: 15th -26th August 2011
6. COURSE FEES
The course fee for participation is Thirty Thousand Naira Only (N 30,000) per selected candidate payable in Bank Draft or money order to ‘’ National Institute of Radiation Protection and Research’’. The fees cover course Materials, Practical, Coffee Breaks and Lunch. Participants are to make arrangement for their travel and accommodation.
7. MODE OF APPLICATION
Interested participants should click here to download the Application Form. “Participation will be on a first come first serve basis”.
All applications are to be sent to:
The Director/CEO
National Institute of Radiation Protection and Research
University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State
Tel: 08057812032
Email: institute@nnra.gov.ng, baladisa@yahoo.com
Website: www.nnra.gov.ng
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