94 NMT Clinical Radiation Safety Policies
RADIATION SAFETY POLICIES
Radiation Monitoring Device Responsibilities
The Program will issue each student a current radiation monitoring device provided through the IUPUI Radiation Safety Office. Periodic personnel exposure reports received from the RSO will be presented to the students as they come available. The Program follows the RSO ALARA Program, which includes policies and procedures for monitoring and intervention in the event of excessive personnel exposure. If a student’s measured dose equivalent exceeds 125 mrem (1.25 mSv) at any time during a calendar quarter, the student will receive an “Investigation of Elevated Radiation Exposure” form from the IUPUI/IUMC Radiation Safety Office to be completed and returned to that office.
Students are responsible for wearing a current monitoring device while working in clinic and in lab when unsealed radioactivity is being utilized. Students not wearing a current monitoring device or not wearing the correct badge will NOT be allowed to remain in clinic or lab. Students who lose their monitoring device MUST inform their program director or RISP clinical instructor as soon as possible. Students will need to go to the Radiation Safety Office, CL 159, immediately, to obtain a replacement badge.
Radiation Safety Instruction
Since Nuclear Medicine entails the use of small amounts of radioactive materials, it is important that the Nuclear Medicine Technology (NMT) student be aware of proper radiation protection and monitoring measures. A class in radiation safety will be taught to acquaint the student with radiation protection measures. In addition, students are required to wear body and ring badges to monitor their radiation exposure while in the clinical facilities or in lab when utilizing unsealed sources of radioactivity. To know more about radiation risks and regulations, NMT students must read the N.R.C. Regulatory Guide 8.13 and the Nuclear Medicine/PET Radiation Safety Procedures Manual for IUPUI and Associated Facilities. Both documents must be completely read and acknowledged during the first summer session of training.
Radiation Monitoring Devices Exchange Procedures
- Monitoring devices are exchanged once a month outside the program director’s office.
- Students will exchange ring and body badges for new ones by the 10th day of the month. If the 10th falls on a weekend or during a holiday period, then the badges will be due by the last clinic/class day before the weekend or holiday begins.
- Students will receive an email toward the end of each month, with notification that the new monitors have been posted and a reminder of the exchange date (10th of month). After the date specified in the email, non-compliance penalties will apply*.
- Students should double check to ensure they have picked up the correct badges.
Penalties for Radiation Monitoring Device Non-Compliance
Non-compliance examples include, but are not limited to:
- exchanging a monitor/b