This one-day course provides students with an understanding of the hazards associated with alpha-emitting contamination and the concepts of monitoring, controlling, and assessing doses to individuals exposed to alpha contamination.  The following topics are covered in this course:

• The attributes of alpha emissions and their detection
• The internal hazards posed by exposure to alpha sources
• Internal dosimetry process for alpha exposures
• Instrumentation and processes for detecting, monitoring and evaluating alpha hazards
• Area classification system and methods for controlling radiological work in areas with high alpha contamination
• Industry experience and lessons learned from controlling alpha contamination

Radiation Fundamentals Training for Emergency Rooms

This one-day training session for hospital personnel covers the requirements for treating and managing emergency patients with radiological contamination.  It will also cover the methods of protecting hospital and emergency workers from radiation due to a radiological incident including contamination on patients and equipment.  The following topics are covered:

• Characteristics of ionizing radiation and radioactive materials
• Differentiation between radiation exposure and radioactive material contamination
• Staff radiation protection procedures and practices
• Facility preparation and contamination control
• Patient assessment and management of radiation contamination and injuries
• Psychosocial considerations of contact with radioactive material
• Health effects of acute and chronic radiation exposure
• Facility recovery
• Resources required

Emergency Response Personnel Handling of Radiation Incidents

This one day training session for first responders covers the requirements for rescuing and managing victims with radiological contamination.  It also covers the methods of protecting first responders from radiation due to a radiological incident, including contamination on the scene, on victims, and on equipment.  The following topics are covered:

• Characteristics of ionizing radiation and radioactive materials
• Differentiation between radiation exposure and radioactive material contamination
• Personnel radiation protection procedures and practices
• Incident scene preparation
• Victim assessment and management of radiation contamination and injuries
• Psychosocial considerations of contact with radioactive material
• Health effects of acute and chronic radiation exposure
• Incident recovery procedures

This three-day course provides students with an overview of radiation detection, measurement, quantification, and protection methods.  The agenda is designed to provide a solid foundation of knowledge for individuals who need a clear understanding of radiation basics for their jobs.  It is well suited for first responders, State and Government workers, medical workers, landfill operators, and others with the potential for contact with radioactive material.  The following topics are covered in this course:

• Math Review – Basic Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry
• Nuclear Physics Review
• Radiation & Radioactivity
• Interaction of Radiation with Matter
• Radiation Exposure & Dose
• Biological Effects of Radiation
• Radiological Hazards
• Principles of Radiation Detection & Measurement
• Radiation Protection Regulation Overview

This three-day course covers the principles for operating and calibrating hand-held detectors and different stationary detectors such as area monitors, tool monitors, and personnel contamination monitors.  The class will cover gamma, beta, and neutron dose rate instrumentation operation and calibrations as well as alpha, beta, and gamma contamination monitor operation and calibrations.  It  will provide a balance of classroom lecture as well as hands-on practical sessions using actual radiation detection instrumentation and the RSCS Training simulators. At the conclusion of the twenty-four hour course, a Course Completion Certificate is provided to document the successful completion of the course modules. There are no pre-requisites or prior experience necessary to enroll in this course. References from past students are available upon request.

Major concepts to be covered in the class will include:

• Nuclear Physics Review
• Fundamentals of Radiation Detection
• Principles of Operation of Radiation Detectors
• Sample Analysis and Counting Statistics
• Standards for Detector Calibration
• Gamma Survey Meter Calibrations
• Beta Survey Meter Calibrations
• Neutron Survey Meter Calibrations
• Contamination Monitoring Instrument Calibrations
• Calibration Quality Control
• Calibration Facility Operation and Maintenance
• Instrument Use and Control
• New Instrument Selection and Evaluations

Use of Instrumentation

This three-day radiation detection and instrumentation course is for individuals employed in various aspects of radiation sciences including radiation protection operations, radiological emergency preparedness, and radiological laboratory analysis, and environmental management.  The course agenda includes both classroom training and workshop sessions to provide students with hands-on experience using various instrumentation. At the conclusion of the course, a Course Completion Certificate is provided to document the successful completion of the course modules.

There are no pre-requisites or  prior experience necessary to enroll in this course. References from past students are available upon request.

This course covers the topics of:

• Fundamentals of radiation detection and measurements
• Radiation instrumentation types and properties
• Selection of handheld instrumentation for radiation and contamination measurements
• Calibration and operational checks for handheld radiation instrumentation
• Fundamentals sample collection and analysis
• Sample collection techniques and analysis methods
• Basic data interpretation and counting statistics
• Response to radiation incidents
• Radiological field assessments

This five-day course covers both external and internal dosimetry fundamental concepts and protection methods.  Students will gain an understanding of radiation risks associated with external and internal sources of radiation and the methods for detection and analysis of dose.  The class will provide a balance of classroom lecture as well as hands-on practical sessions where actual internal and external case studies will be evaluated, and lessons learned in dosimetry will be presented.  Students will gain knowledge on available software and other tools to aid them in assessing both internal and external dose, including INDOS, IMBA, Microshield, and Varskin.

Major concepts to be covered in class will include:

• Radiation exposure and dose concepts
• Biological effects of ionizing radiation
• External radiation dose calculations
• Internal radiation dose calculations
• Dosimetry standards and regulations
• Dosimetry case studies and lessons learned

This comprehensive  five-day course provides students with a balance of technical and theoretical information along with practical applications of radiation safety. Fundamental concepts are presented in a logical progression, providing a sound basis for understanding the day-to-day requirements of the Radiation Safety Officer. This training includes DOT requirements for transportation of radioactive material and satisfies the requirements of Subpart H. A DOT exam is included. At the conclusion of the  course, a Course Completion Certificate is provided to document the successful completion of the course modules.  There are no pre-requisites or  prior experience necessary to enroll in this course. References from past students are available upon request.

Continuing education credits have been approved by the American Academy of Health Physics (32 Continuing Education Credits) and the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (40 hours of Category A Continuing Education Credits) for this five-day RSO course.

The fee for the course is $1795.00. Course fee includes all materials, daily continental breakfast and snack breaks, and a catered lunch and social on the first day of the course.

RSO Course Outline

• Math and Physics Review
• Radiation and Radioactivity
• Biological Effects
• Radiological Hazards
• Detection and Measurement
• Operational Program
• Regulatory Agencies
• DOT Regulations

This comprehensive one-day course provides students with the guidelines for shipping radioactive materials in accordance with Department of Transportation (DOT) and International Air Transport Association (IATA) guidelines.  This course covers the shipping process including general familiarization, identification, classification, packaging, marking, labeling and documentation. The curriculum covers the requirements for packages transported in accordance with International Air Transport Association requirements for shipments by air.  Additionally, this course provides practical sessions and case scenarios, and concludes with a Subpart H exam that meets the requirements for a DOT shipper qualification up to Type A material.  The following topics are covered in this course:

• Training Requirements and Definitions,
• Classification,
• Packaging Selection
• Package Marking and Labeling,
• Shipping Paper Requirements,
• Carrier Requirements,
• Radioactive Material Security Requirements,
• IATA and Specific Requirements

Navigating Through the Radiation Protection Regulatory Process

This three-day training course provides an overview of Nuclear Regulatory Commission structure and operations, hierarchy of regulatory requirements and guidance, specific regulations and guidance documents as they pertain to Radiation Protection, and an in-depth review of the Reactor Oversight Process (ROP). The course concludes with a hands-on exercise navigating through the Significance Determination Process (SDP) using actual nuclear power plant operational experience. There are no pre-requisites or prior experience necessary to enroll in this course.

Major concepts to be covered in the class will include:

• Understanding NRC’s various roles in the regulatory process
• NRC’s hierarchy of documents, how to access them and how they apply to Radiation Protection
• Understanding licensing basis, Tech Specs and NRC commitments
• NRC Radiation Protection regulations and guidance
• NRC’s Reactor Oversight Process (ROP), including regional NRC inspections, NRC performance indicators and issue screening using the Significance Determination Process (SDP)
• By using actual industry OE, participants will apply several Radiation Protection issues through the SDP process.