Section 1980. Training for use of unsealed radioactive material for which a written directive is required

Except as provided in 12VAC5-481-1780, licensees shall require an authorized user (AU) of unsealed radioactive material for the uses authorized under 12VAC5-481-1950 to be a physician:

1. Who is certified by a medical specialty board whose certification process has been recognized by the NRC; or

2. Who has completed 700 hours of training and experience, including a minimum of 200 hours of classroom and laboratory training, in basic radionuclide handling techniques applicable to the medical use of unsealed radioactive material requiring a written directive. The training and experience shall include:

a. Classroom and laboratory training in the following areas:

(1) Radiation physics and instrumentation;

(2) Radiation protection;

(3) Mathematics pertaining to the use and measurement of radioactivity;

(4) Chemistry of radioactive material for medical use; and

(5) Radiation biology; and

b. Work experience under the supervision of an AU who meets the requirements in this section, 12VAC5-481-1780, or equivalent NRC or another agreement state requirements. A supervising AU, who meets the requirements of this subdivision 2 shall also have experience in administering dosages in the same dosage category or categories (i.e., subdivision 2 b (7) of this section) as the individual requesting authorized user status. The work experience shall involve:

(1) Ordering, receiving, and unpacking radioactive materials safely and performing the related radiation surveys;

(2) Performing quality control procedures on instruments used to determine the activity of dosages, and performing checks for proper operation of survey meters;

(3) Calculating, measuring, and safely preparing patient or human research subject dosages;

(4) Using administrative controls to prevent a medical event involving the use of unsealed radioactive material;

(5) Using procedures to contain spilled radioactive material safely and using proper decontamination procedures;

(6) (Reserved.)

(7) Administering dosages of radioactive drugs to patients or human research subjects involving a minimum of three cases in each categories for which the individual is requesting authorized user status. These categories are oral administration of less than or equal to 33 mCi (1.22 GBq) of sodium iodide I-131, for which a written directive is required; oral administration of greater than 33 mCi (1.22 GBq) of sodium iodide I-131; parenteral administration of any beta emitter or a photon-emitting radionuclide with a photon energy less than 150 keV, for which a written directive is required; or parenteral administration of any other radionuclide, for which a written directive is required.

3. Who has obtained written attestation that the individual has satisfactorily completed the requirements in either subdivisions 1 and 2 b (7) of this section or subdivision 2 of this section and has achieved a level of competency sufficient to function independently as an AU for the medical uses authorized under 12VAC5-481-1950. The written attestation shall be signed by a preceptor AU who meets the requirements in this section, 12VAC5-481-1780, or equivalent NRC or other agreement state requirements. The preceptor AU, who meets the requirements in subdivision 2 of this section shall have experience in administering dosages in the same dosage category or categories (i.e., subdivision 2 b (7) of this section) as the individual requesting authorized user status.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 22, Issue 25, eff. September 20, 2006; amended, Virginia Register Volume 24, Issue 18, eff. June 12, 2008; Volume 32, Issue 24, eff. August 25, 2016.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-229 of the Code of Virginia.