RAD 105 - Radiation Safety

Credits: 2
Lecture Contact Hours: 2
Description: This course covers all aspects of radiation protection including the technologist’s responsibilities for patients, personnel, the public and themselves. Radiation health and safety requirements of federal and state regulatory agencies, accreditation agencies and health organizations are included. Specific topics also include radiation safety methods and devices, as well as the detection and measurement of radiation dose.

Prerequisites: BIOL 236 with a minimum grade of 3.0.
Corequisites: PHYS 123, if not previously taken within three years with a minimum grade of 3.0.
Recommended: None.

Course Category: Occupational
This Course is Typically Offered: Winter Only
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Students who already have this knowledge may qualify for prior learning credit. https://www.schoolcraft.edu/student-records/prior-learning-credits

Course Competencies

Examine effects of limited vs. total body exposure.
Differentiate between somatic and genetic radiation effects.
Define radiation and radioactivity units of measurement.
Identify effective dose limits (EDL) for occupational and nonoccupational radiation exposure.
Explain the ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) concept.
Explain the legal and ethical radiation protection responsibilities of radiation workers.
Explain the function of federal, state and local regulations governing radiation protection practices.
Determine rationale for a radiation protection program.
Express the importance of personal monitoring for radiation workers.
Perform calculations of exposure with varying time, distance and shielding.
Explore the relationship between workload, energy, half-value layer (HVL), tenth-value layer (TVL), use factor and shielding design.
Explain the relationship of exposure factors to patient dosage.