MCCCD Official Course Competencies:

NUC110  2009 Fall - 9999

Radiation Safety for Nuclear Medicine

1.          Describe the sources and types of radiation in nuclear medicine. (I)

2.          Explain specific units of radiation measurement. (II)

3.          Convert from traditional to System International (SI) units of radiation measurement. (II)

4.          Describe radiation protection devices and techniques in nuclear medicine. (III)

5.          Describe radiation shielding devices and procedures for the technologist. (IV)

6.          Explain the dose limits for radiation workers and the general public. (V)

7.          List and explain specific radiation monitoring devices. (VI)

MCCCD Official Course Outline:

NUC110  2009 Fall - 9999

Radiation Safety for Nuclear Medicine

I.          Types and Sources of Radiation

            A.        Sources of Radiation

                        1.         Background

                        2.         Man-made

            B.        Types of Radiation

                        1.         Electromagnetic

                        2.         Particulate

            C.        Magnitude of Medical Exposure

            D.        Need for Radiation Protection

II.        Units of Measurement

            A.        Roentgen

            B.        Radiation Absorped Dose (RAD)

            C.        Roentgen Equivalent Man (REM)

            D.        Seivert

            E.         Gray

            F.         Bequerel

            G.        Application of units

            H.        Basic Unit Conversions

III.       Radiation Protection Devices

            A.        Beam Limitation Devices

            B.        Filtration

            C.        Patient Shielding Devices

            D.        Exposure Factors

            E.         Film-Screen Combinations

            F.         Proper Positioning

            G.        Safe Handling of Radiation Sources

IV.       Shielding for the Technologist

            A.        Distance

            B.        Aprons and Gloves

            C.        Eye Protection

            D.        Barriers

            E.         National Council on Radiation Protection (N.C.R.P.) Standards

V.        Dose Limits

            A.        As Low As Reasonably Achievable (A.L.A.R.A.)

            B.        Cardinal Principles

            C.        Effective Dose

            D.        Annual Occupational Exposures

            E.         Annual Public Exposures

            F.         Education and Training Exposures

            G.        Embryo-fetus Exposures

            H.        Radiation Weighting Factors

VI.       Radiation Monitoring Devices

            A.        Monitoring Devices

                        1.         Film badge

                        2.         Pocket dosimeter

                        3.         Ionization chamber

                        4.         Geiger-muller counter

                        5.         Thermoluminescense dosimeters

            B.        Advantages and Disadvantages