Course Description
While radiation therapy can provide life-saving treatment for patients, it can also cause harm if safety procedures are not carefully implemented and followed. Understanding the potential risks is the first step to minimizing radiologic technologist (RT), radiation therapist, and patient exposure. Having a clear understanding of the regulations for radiation safety helps build a solid foundation of knowledge. To adequately minimize exposure to patients, RTs, radiation therapists, and the general public, a variety of strategies must be used, including monitoring personnel radiation levels through a variety of dose measuring devices and techniques, among others. In addition, knowing federal and state regulations regarding radiation protection, safety, and reporting procedures is also vital in radiation safety and protection. This course will explore radiation safety in radiology and radiation therapy via building safety, equipment control, accuracy of treatments, monitoring personnel for radiation exposure, and knowledge of rules and regulations regarding radiation safety, protection, and incident reporting.

Learning Objectives
After reviewing the content, the participant should be able to:

• OUTLINE different methods for reducing patient exposure to radiation.
• IDENTIFY different regulations from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for monitoring radiation dose of radiologic technologists (RTs), radiation therapists, patients, and the public.
• SUMMARIZE quality control and quality assurance procedures for various linear accelerators and computed tomography simulation equipment.
• OUTLINE safety and protection protocols for RTs and radiation therapists based on federal guidelines from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
• COMPARE and CONTRAST radiation monitoring devices.

Categories: Radiation Therapy, Radiation Safety/Protection

In order to receive CE credit, you must first complete the activity content. When completed, go to the "Take CE Test!" link to access the post-test.

Submit the completed answers to determine if you have passed the post-test assessment. You must answer 20 out of 26 questions correctly to receive the CE credit. You will have no more than 3 attempts to successfully complete the post-test.

Participants successfully completing the activity content and passing the post-test will receive 2.5 ARRT Category A credits.

Approved by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for ARRT Category A credit.

Approved by the state of Florida for ARRT Category A credit (for Technical credits).

Texas direct credit.

This activity may be available in multiple formats or from different sponsors. ARRT does not allow CE activities such as Internet courses, home study programs, or directed readings to be repeated for CE credit in the same biennium.