RDGY40900 Radiation Safety

Academic Year 2022/2023

Radiation Safety Officers are employed in the medical, biomedical and industrial sectors and professional training is required by law. This 10 credit programme leads to a professional certificate in radiation safety. It aims to introduce radiation workers to the fundamental principles of the physics of radiation safety and the applications of these principles in their particular field.
The subject areas to be covered are: an introduction to fundamental concepts; units of radiation exposure and dose; biological effects of ionising radiation; radiation detection and measurement; Irish legal issues and international framework in radiation safety; assessment of internal and external exposures; protection against occupational exposure; emergency planning; non-ionising radiation. Each student will then chose a specialty from either diagnostic radiography, interventional radiography, radiation therapy or industrial applications of ionising radiation depending on their area of interest.
The course is run fully online, thus there is no requirement to attend lectures in UCD. Appropriate internet access and the ability to download material in a timely fashion is required.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Successful completion of the course will enable the student to:
1. Provide a theoretical and practical basis for radiation safety workers to meet legal requirements.
2. Understand the following subject areas in a general context: units of radiation exposure and dose; biological effects of ionising radiation; radiation detection and measurement; Irish legal issues and international framework in radiation safety; assessment of internal and external exposures; protection against occupational exposure; emergency planning; non-ionising radiation.
3. Establish the understanding from which such they may develop practical expertise in radiation safety.
4. Demonstrate their detailed professional knowledge from their own field and be required to debate and apply current research and practice into the wider professional arena in a multidisciplinary context.
5. Critically evaluate radiation safety policies and procedures in their professional lives.
6. Critically evaluate the radiation safety principles and their role within it.
7. Consider the handling of multifaceted issues in which judgements are made whilst reflecting upon the wider professional issues and the responsibilities of their role as a professional within this area.
8. Examine current issues in radiation safety and apply these to clinical/industrial decision-making and problem solving processes.
9. Have the ability to critically reflect and evaluate their individual professional practice and knowledge base in order to recognize their need for continuous professional development and lifelong learning.
10. Demonstrate ability to source and analyse relevant literature. This will be examined at the end of semester.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

30
Specified Learning Activities

20
Autonomous Student Learning

190
Total

240
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module uses a range of online learning strategies including online lectures, reading, and self-directed learning tasks 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

- BSc Radiography, BSc Radiation Therapy or equivalent.

- BSc Physics or equivalent.

- An individual named on the General Register of the Medical Council or on the Register of the UK General Medical Council.

- An individual named on the Register of Dentists held by the Dental Council of Ireland or on the Dentists Register of the UK General Dental Council.

- Nurses registered with an Bord Altranais.

- An individual named on the Register of the Veterinary Council of Ireland or on the Register of Members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

- A good standard of education (minimum of Leaving Certificate or equivalent) with evidence of ongoing training in the area of Radiation Safety and professional experience in a field utilising ionising radiation and operating under current legislation (SI 256/ SI30 for diagnostic exposures).

- Be currently employed in a facility which uses ionising radiation within the State regulated and licensed by the Radiation Protection Institute of Ireland or within similarly regulated and licensed facilities internationally.

- Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development (CPD) within the realms of radiation protection.

- Be computer literate and have continuous internet access for the duration of the programme.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Examination: An online Multiple Choice examination based on Sections 1 and 2 Unspecified Yes Alternative linear conversion grade scale 40% No

15
Assignment: Written assignment based on Section 5 Unspecified n/a Graded No

30
Assignment: Final assessment incorporating all sections Unspecified n/a Graded No

40
Assignment: Poster assignment based on Sections 3 & 4 Unspecified n/a Graded No

15

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
Repeat Within Two Trimesters
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Online automated feedback

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Students will receive individual MCQ results online after the exam closes. Individual feedback will be provided for all written assignments.

Name Role
Dr Catherine D'Helft Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Emer Kenny Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Luis Leon Vintro Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Michelle O'Connor Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Ms Marie-Louise Ryan Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Adam Tattersall Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Rachel Toomey Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mrs Allison Kacperski Tutor