Section R12-1-744. Training for Use of Remote Afterloader Units, Teletherapy Units, and Gamma Stereotactic Radiosurgery Units

A.      Except as provided in R12-1-710, a licensee shall require an authorized user of a sealed source for a use authorized under Group 600 to be a physician who:

1.        Is certified by a medical specialty board whose certifica- tion process has been recognized by the NRC or an Agreement State and who meets the requirements in sub- section (A)(2). To have its certification process recog- nized, a specialty board shall require all candidates to:

a.         Successfully complete a minimum of three years of residency training in a radiation therapy program approved by the Residency Review Committee of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or the Committee on Post-Grad- uate Training of the American Osteopathic Associa- tion; and

b.        Pass an examination, administered by diplomates of the specialty board, which tests knowledge and com- petence in radiation safety, radionuclide handling, treatment planning, quality assurance, and clinical use of stereotactic radiosurgery, remote afterloaders and external beam therapy; or

2.        Has completed a structured educational program in basic radionuclide techniques applicable to the use of a sealed source in a therapeutic medical unit that includes:

a.         200 hours of classroom and laboratory training in the following areas:

i.         Radiation physics and instrumentation;

ii.        Radiation protection;

iii.      Mathematics pertaining to the use and measure- ment of radioactivity;

iv.       Chemistry of radioactive material for medical use; and

v.        Radiation biology; and

b.        500 hours of work experience, under the supervision of an authorized user who meets the requirements in this Section, or equivalent Agreement State or NRC requirements at a medical institution, involving:

i.         Reviewing full calibration measurements and periodic spot-checks;

ii.        Preparing treatment plans and calculating treat- ment doses and times;

iii.      Using administrative controls to prevent a med- ical event involving the use of radioactive material;

iv.       Implementing emergency procedures to be fol- lowed in the event of the abnormal operation of the medical unit or console;

v.        Checking and using survey meters; and

vi.       Selecting the proper dose and how it is to be administered; and

c.         Has completed three years  of supervised  clinical experience in radiation therapy, under an authorized user who meets the requirements in this Section, or equivalent Agreement State or NRC requirements, as part of a formal training program approved by the Residency Review Committee for Radiation Oncol- ogy of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Med- ical Education or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or the Committee on Post- doctoral Training of the American Osteopathic Association. This experience may be obtained con- currently with the supervised work experience required by subsection (A)(2)(b); and

d.        Has obtained written attestation that the individual has satisfactorily completed the requirements in sub- section (A)(1) or (A)(2), and has achieved a level of competency sufficient to function independently as an authorized user of each type of therapeutic medi- cal unit for which the individual is requesting autho- rized user status. The written attestation must be signed by a preceptor authorized user who meets the requirements in this Section, or equivalent Agree- ment State or NRC requirements for an authorized user for each type of therapeutic medical unit for which the individual is requesting authorized user status; and

e.         Has received training  in device  operation, safety procedures, and clinical use for the type(s) of use for which authorization is sought. This training require- ment may be satisfied by satisfactory completion of a training program provided by the vendor for new users or by receiving training supervised by an authorized user or authorized medical physicist, as appropriate, who is authorized for the type(s) of use for which the individual is seeking authorization.

B.       The training and experience shall have been obtained within the seven years preceding the date of application or the indi- vidual shall have had related continuing education and experi- ence since the required training and experience was completed.

Historical Note

New Section made by final rulemaking at 13 A.A.R. 1217, effective May 5, 2007 (Supp. 07-1). Amended by

final rulemaking at 20 A.A.R. 324, effective March 8,

2014 (Supp. 14-1).