Section 2018. Training for use of manual brachytherapy sources

Except as provided in 12VAC5-481-1780, licensees shall require an authorized user of a manual brachytherapy source for uses authorized under 12VAC5-481-2010 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:

a. Completed a structured educational program in basic radionuclide handling techniques applicable to the use of manual brachytherapy sources that includes:

(1) 200 hours of classroom and laboratory training in the following areas:

(a) Radiation physics and instrumentation;

(b) Radiation protection;

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

(d) Radiation biology; and

(2) 500 hours of work experience, under the supervision of an authorized user who meets the requirements in this subsection, 12VAC5-481-1780, or equivalent NRC or another agreement state requirements at a medical institution, involving:

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

(b) Checking survey meters for proper operation;

(c) Preparing, implanting, and removing brachytherapy sources;

(d) Maintaining running inventories of material on hand;

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

(f) Using emergency procedures to control radioactive material; and

b. Completed three years of supervised clinical experience in radiation oncology, under an AU who meets the requirements in this section, 12VAC5-481-1780, or equivalent NRC or another agreement state requirements, as part of a formal training program approved by the Residency Review Committee for Radiation Oncology of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or the Committee on Postdoctoral Training of the American Osteopathic Association. This experience may be obtained concurrently with the supervised work experience required by subdivision 2 a (2) of this section.

3. Who has obtained written attestation, signed by a preceptor AU who meets the requirements in this section, 12VAC5-481-1780, or equivalent NRC or other agreement state requirements, that the individual has satisfactorily completed the requirements in this section and has achieved a level of competency sufficient to function independently as an AU of manual brachytherapy sources for the medical uses authorized in 12VAC5-481-2010.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 32, Issue 24, eff. August 25, 2016.

Statutory Authority

§ 32.1-229 of the Code of Virginia.