RAD5004 - Radiation Safety Principles 2 - L-Universit脿 ta' Malta

Course Title

RAD5004 - Radiation Safety Principles 2

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

Semester 2

5 ECTS

Mode of Study

Part-Time Day

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Please check your eligibility to join this short course and time-tabling details with the Faculty of Health Sciences. The short course will only be delivered subject to a minimum number of applications being received.

This study-unit builds on the teaching and learning gained in RAD5003, but with its focus and scope on the latest radiation safety updates and developments in specialised modalities, including Computed Tomography (CT), Nuclear Medicine (NM), PET/CT, and Radiotherapy.

The aim of this micro-credential is to update the radiation safety knowledge, skills and competencies of qualified radiographers and/or health professionals working with ionising radiation across specialised modalities, including Computed Tomography (CT), Nuclear Medicine (NM), PET/CT, and Radiotherapy.

This micro-credential will be delivered online, so as to attract and meet the needs of qualified radiographers and/or health professionals having an interest in radiation safety in these specialised modalities. Furthermore, this CPD study-unit will help radiographers fulfill radiation safety/protection retraining requirements outlined in legislation.

The topics covered in this study-unit include fundamental radiation safety concepts concepts, as well as those specific to specialised radiography practices, including CT, NM, PET/CT and Radiotherapy:

Fundamental principles of radiation physics, radiation exposure, dose units and measurements in relation to specialised modalities;
Biological effects of ionising radiation in relation to CT, NM, PET/CT and Radiotherapy;
The international framework for radiation protection, radiation protection legislation, regulations and safety standards;
Designated roles and responsibilities arising from legislation as applied and relevant to CT, NM, PET/CT, and Radiotherapy practice;
Protection against occupational and public exposure as applied and relevant to CT, NM, PET/CT, and Radiotherapy practice;
Implementation of radiation safety principles in clinical practice, with a specific focus on the different specialised areas: CT, NM, PET/CT, and Radiotherapy;
Importance of quality assurance, quality control and clinical audits in the different specialised practices.

Main Reading List

Government of Malta (2018). Chapter 585 鈥� Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Act.
Government of Malta (2018). S.L. 585.01 鈥� Basic Safety Standards for Ionising Radiation Regulations.
Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom of 5 December 2013 laying down basic safety standards for protection against the dangers arising from exposure to ionising radiation. Official Journal of the European Union No. L, 57(13).
European Commission (2014). Radiation protection No 175: Guidelines on radiation protection education and training of medical professionals in the European Union.
International Atomic Energy Agency (2014) Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources: International Basic Safety Standards, Vienna.
International Commission of Radiological Protection (ICRP, 2009). Publication 113:Education and training in radiological protection for diagnostic and interventional procedures. Ann. ICRP 39 (5).
Various peer-reviewed articles and gray literature.

Supplementary Reading List

Statkiewicz Sherer MA, Visconti PJ, Ritenour ER, Welch Haynes K (2014) Radiation Protection in Medical Radiography. Elsevier Health Sciences.
ICRP Publication 135: Diagnostic Reference Levels in Medical Imaging. (2017). Netherlands: SAGE Publications.
Stoeva, M.S and Vetter, R.J. (2020) Radiation Protection in Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology. United States: Taylor & Francis Group.
Seeram, E and Brennan, P.C. (2016). Radiation Protection In Diagnostic X-Ray Imaging. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Saha, G. B. (2019). Radiation Safety in Nuclear Medicine: A Practical, Concise Guide. Germany: Springer International Publishing.
Govinda Rajan, K. N. (2017). Radiation Safety in Radiation Oncology. United Kingdom: CRC Press.

Study-unit Aims

Ensure that radiographers working in specialised areas, such as CT, NM, PET/CT and Radiotherapy, practice effectively, accurately and safely within the guidance of legal, ethical, professional frameworks;
Encourage radiographers to recognise the radiation hazards associated with specialised radiographic practice and to take the necessary measures to minimise them in accordance with the ALARA principle;
Enhance radiographers' awareness of benefits and risks associated with specialised radiography procedures to enhance their benefit-risk communication dialogues with patients and colleagues during the delivery of care;
Establish safe working conditions and equip radiographers with the knowledge required to fulfil their roles as practitioners and professionals performing the practical aspects across specialised practices, including CT, NM, PET/CT, and Radiotherapy.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

Explain and discuss latest evidence and developments in relation to radiation physics principles, radiation hazards, radiation biology and radiation dosimetry as applied to CT, NM, PET/CT and Radiotherapy;
Explain and discuss latest evidence and developments in relation to the application of radiation principles in specialised radiography practices, including CT, NM, PET/CT and Radiotherapy, in order to enhance radiation safety amongst patients, staff and the general public;
Discuss current national and international radiation protection legislation, regulations and safety standards;
Critically evaluate professional roles and responsibilities in terms of justification and optimization within specialised practices, including CT, NM, PET/CT and Radiotherapy.

Learning Outcomes: Skills

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

Critically evaluate the radiographers' practitioner role and responsibility in the justification process of specialised procedures, including CT, NM, PET/CT and Radiotherapy), while making use of available referral guidelines;
Apply the concepts and tools required for radiation protection optimization across specialised practices, including CT, NM, PET/CT and Radiotherapy;
Critically reflect on and evaluate ways of further enhancing a radiation safety culture in the specialised radiography practices, including CT, NM, PET/CT and Radiotherapy;
Confidently engage in benefit-risk dialogues with patients and colleagues during the process of care delivery within specialised areas of CT, NM, PET/CT and Radiotherapy;
Document radiation incidents, undertake a risk assessment and review procedures and protocols as necessary;
Recognize the limitations associated with one's scope of competence and seek further advice and guidance accordingly.

Non EU Applicants:

EUR325

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Micro-credentials offer the possibility of providing flexible learning pathways to respond to evolving needs and new developments, thus enabling students to tailor their studies to their needs. Micro-credentials may be combined or transferred into larger credentials, such as certificates, diplomas and degrees, provided that the relevant programme requirements are met. Applicants wishing to transfer micro-credentials to a programme of study are encouraged to seek the advice of the relevant academic entity.