A. The Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) will emphasize the ALARA philosophy to workers, instruct personnel on current procedures and provide guidance on relevant changes to reduce exposures.

B. The RSO will review dosimetry reports for all monitored personnel to determine if unnecessary exposures are being received. The RSO will investigate within 30 days the cause of any dose considered to be excessive. If warranted, the RSO will take corrective actions to prevent recurrence. A report of each investigation and the actions taken, if any, will be recorded and maintained for inspection purposes.

C. At least annually, the RSO will conduct a formal review of the radiation protection program’s content and implementation. The review will include an evaluation of equipment, procedures, dosimetry records, inspection findings, and incidents. The RSO will assess trends in occupational exposures as an index of the program’s success and determine if any modifications to the program are needed. A summary of the results of each annual review, including a description of actions proposed and taken (if any) will be documented by the RSO, discussed with management, and signed and dated by both. A report on each audit will be maintained on file for 3 years from the date of the review.

D. The RSO will provide written notifications of annual radiation exposures to all monitored personnel and will be available to respond to any questions regarding the exposure reports.

KEY ACTIVITIES: A. Radiation Safety Coordination/Administration

♦ Coordinates and controls of all licensing for required departments.

♦ Establishes, implements, supervises and maintains administrative controls and procedures for radiation safety as required by local protocols and government regulations (e.g., purchase, transport, disposal, bioassay measurements, and sealed source inventory).

♦ Develops and maintains policies and procedures of the radiation safety program (e.g., audits, personal protection, manuals).

♦ Ensures that appropriate radiation safety programs are implemented and maintained.

♦ Provides instruction/training to staff (e.g., radiation safety, Nuclear Energy Workers (NEWS),reducing radiation exposure).

♦ Provides functional advice/technical expertise and problem solving.

♦ Acts as a liaison with other departments.

♦ Commissions/decommissions spaces.

B. Diagnostic and Therapeutic Procedures

♦ Assists/transports, assesses, screens, prepares, instructs and positions patient.

♦ Monitors patients during procedures.

♦ Starts/administers various media/radiopharmaceuticals/medications.

♦ Performs diagnostic and therapeutic procedures (e.g., Nuclear Medicine exams).

♦ Modifies technical data to ensure complete series of diagnostic tests are obtained for physician to view and interpret.

♦ Performs various laboratory procedures (e.g., collecting, pipetting, labeling, separation and tagging).

♦ Assists physicians during interventional and sterile procedures.

♦ Participates in research projects.

C. Quality Assurance / Quality Control

♦ Establishes and maintains Quality Assurance/Quality Control programs as required by local protocols and government regulations (e.g. shielding requirements for planned construction projects).

♦ Follows preventative maintenance programs by maintaining instrument logs and recognizing equipment malfunctions.

♦ Performs and records quality control checks on all equipment.

♦ Records radiopharmaceutical information for the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

♦ Follows radiation safety protocols in accordance with the Medical Radiation Health and Safety Act.

D. Clerical

♦ Retrieves, files and distributes requisitions and reports.

♦ Maintains daily log of patients and examinations.

♦ Performs computer work (e.g., data entry, back-up).

♦ Responds to telephone calls and inquiries from physicians/patients and other staff members.

♦ Prepares, communicates and files test results and reports.

♦ Prepares statistical reports.

♦ Audits information input by department staff.