Course Details
- Course duration: 4.0 days
- Course category: Command, Resilience
- Course category: null
- Start/finish time: Start time: 0900
Finish time: 1630
Finish time on final day: 1530
This course is run by Public Health England on behalf of the NHS ambulance services who are legally obligated to prepare for and respond to radiation incidents and emergencies involving irradiated and contaminated casualties. Radiation Protection Supervisors are a key part of this national capability.
Course overview
Course Aim
This course provides instruction and training sufficient to underpin the execution of the role of ambulance Radiation Protection Supervisor.
The primary role of the RPS is to act as a point of reference for the Trust/Ambulance personnel in the event of incidents involving, or with the potential to result in, exposure to ionising radiation and to co-ordinate response to that incident in line with agreed protocols.
In particular, the course aims to provide a level of understanding sufficient to ensure that the existence, magnitude of potential hazard and potential significance of any radiation hazard is properly identified and agreed protocols for dealing with such events can be implemented as appropriate.
In addition, the training should be sufficient to ensure that post holders have a knowledge and understanding of the issues sufficient to allow meaningful dialogue with external experts/consultants when required.
Note: The competence of candidates to carry out the role of RPS will be assessed at the conclusion of the course. Achieving competence does not automatically grant the position of Radiation Protection Supervisor – this is a decision of the employing trust.
Course Programme contents
Module 1: Radiation Protection Basics
- Basic concepts of ionising radiation
- Radiation quantities and units
- Radiation hazards – Health effects
- Radiation hazards – Doses in perspective
- Radiation measurement – Use of EPD / dose rate and contamination monitors
- Radiation measurement – Relevance of measurement results
- Group exercises
- Radiation uses
- Practical protection – Protection from internal exposures
- Practical protection – Protection from external exposures
- Accident case histories
Module 2: UK Regulation and Supporting Schemes
- Overview of UK Regulation and Supporting Schemes
- Dose limitation – Occupational
- Dose limitation – Emergency
- Dose limitation – Patients and carers
- Key requirements of IRR99
- The transport of radioactive material
Module 3: Hazard Recognition and Situation Analysis
- Industrial/transport/medical incidents – Foreseeable, mitigation, consequences
- Civil nuclear incidents – Nuclear emergency plans
- CBRN – Possible scenarios
Module 4: Trust Policy and Protocols
- Trust policy and protocols
- Review of Modules 1 and 2
- Introduction to group exercises – Credible scenarios requiring implementation of course material
- Group exercises
- Discussion following group exercises
- Final discussion and course feedback
Module 5: Assessment of Competence
- Assessment
This course is aligned to the following NHS Commissioning Board Core Standards for EPRR which will assist Ambulance Trusts in meeting these standards by providing relevant educational modules:
UNIT | UNIT DESCRIPTION |
---|---|
9.9 | Have 24-hour radiation protection supervisor arrangements in line with local and national mutual aid arrangements |
9.23 | Have arrangements in place to provide radiation protection supervisors |
Intended Learning Outcomes
On completion of the training candidates should:
- Understand the nature and properties of ionising radiation
- Be familiar with terminology used in radiation protection
- Be aware of and understand the potential hazards associated with ionising radiations and have an understanding of the concept of ALARP.
- Understand the basic principles of practical protection
- Have a general awareness of the range of applications of ionising radiation in industry and medicine
- Have an awareness of the categories of possible radiation incidents – industrial, nuclear, malicious (CBRN ) etc. and their likely consequences
- Understand how radiation measurements can be made in the field and know how to use, and interpret results obtained from, instrumentation available to the ambulance trusts.
- Know and be familiar with agreed national strategy/protocols for dealing with radiation incidents and understand the importance of adhering to specified procedures.
Note: The competence of candidates to carry out the role of RPS will be assessed at the conclusion of the course. Achieving competence does not automatically grant the position of Radiation Protection Supervisor – this is a decision of the employing trust.
The course maps to the following HART National CPD Modules:
- IRU/11a DIM – Radiation
- IRU/11b DIM – Electronic Personal Dosimeter
- IRU/11d DIM – RAM GENE
Intended Audience
This training is aimed specifically at those within the NHS ambulance service who are preparing for appointment to the role of Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS).
For the purposes of this training, no prior knowledge of the subject of radiation protection is assumed.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates will be employed within the NHS ambulance service and will be preparing for appointment to the role of Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS).
Methods of Delivery
Training is provided with a combination of presentations and practical immersive exercises.
Dress Code
Dress code is smart casual civilian clothing. Some practical exercises may be held outdoors so please bring appropriate clothing and footwear.
Course Location
This course is held at:
Public Health England – CRCE
Oak Park Lane
Cookridge
LS16 6RW
Accommodation
Accommodation is NOT provided as part of the course.
Students will need to arrange their own accommodation.
PHE (Government rate) have preferential rates at the Mercure Leeds Parkway Hotel. 08448 159 020 opt 1.
Pre-read Downloads
For the purposes of this training, it is assumed that the candidate has no prior knowledge of the subject of radiation.
Equipment Requirements
No equipment is required for this course.