Professional Certificate Radiation Safety

Course Features

  • Covers contemporary radiation safety issues for industry, medical and biomedical applications.
  • Introduces radiation workers to the principles of the physics of radiation safety and the application of these principles.
  • Provides the necessary tools for those who will become trainers in radiation protection and in the safe use of radiation sources in their profession.

Course Overview

The course will be divided into 10 sections, all of which will be delivered via online learning methods.  This course will attract participants from a variety of backgrounds and training. Radiation Safety Officers are employed in the medical, biomedical and industrial sectors, and professional training is required by law.

Subject areas:

  • Introduction to fundamental concepts
  • Units of radiation exposure and dose
  • Biological effects of ionising radiation
  • Radiation detection and measurement
  • Legal issues and international framework in radiation safety
  • Assessment of internal and external exposures
  • Protection against occupational exposure
  • Emergency planning; non-ionising radiation

Each student will also choose a specialty from either diagnostic radiography, radiation therapy or industrial applications of ionising radiation depending on their area of interest.

This course will attract participants from a variety of backgrounds and training. Radiation safety officers are employed in the medical, biomedical and industrial sectors and professional training is required by law. At present, UCD is the only institution to offer this training online in Ireland.

Course overview

  • The course will be divided into 10 one-credit modules, all of which will be delivered via online learning methods.
  • This course will attract participants from a variety of backgrounds and training. Radiation Safety Officers are employed in the medical, biomedical and industrial sectors, and professional training is required by law. At present, no course of this kind is available online in Ireland.

Subject areas

  • Introduction to fundamental concepts
  • Units of radiation exposure and dose
  • Biological effects of ionising radiation
  • Radiation detection and measurement
  • Legal issues and international framework in radiation safety
  • Assessment of internal and external exposures
  • Protection against occupational exposure
  • Emergency planning; non-ionising radiation

Each student will also chose a 3 credit specialty from either diagnostic radiography, radiation therapy or industrial applications of ionising radiation depending on their area of interest.

Learning outcomes

  • Provide a theoretical and practical basis for radiation safety workers to meet legal requirements.
  • Understand the following subject areas relevant to their work area: units of radiation exposure and dose; biological effects of ionising radiation; radiation detection and measurement; legal issues and international framework in radiation safety; assessment of internal and external exposures; protection against occupational exposure; emergency planning; non-ionising radiation.
  • Establish the understanding from which such they may develop practical expertise in radiation safety.
  • Demonstrate their detailed professional knowledge from their own field and be required to debate and apply current research and practice into the wider professional arena.
  • Critically evaluate the radiation safety principles and their role within it.
  • Examine current issues in radiation safety and apply these to clinical/industrial decision-making and problem solving processes.
  • Have the ability to critically reflect and evaluate their individual professional practice and knowledge base in order to recognize their need for continuous professional development and lifelong learning.
  • Demonstrate ability to source and analyse relevant literature. This will be examined at the end of semester.
  • Students will also have a unique opportunity to learn using an online system where they can pace their work to suit personal circumstance.
  • The provision of an e-learning structure will allow students to complete training at home, at convenient times.
  • It will give flexibility to the employer, where release from work duties can be negotiated rather than forced. It will allow the student to pace their learning according to their previous knowledge, which will alleviate stress and increase satisfaction.
  • The interactivity associated with this e-learning course will engage students, pushing them rather than pulling them through training.
  • Teaching and learning will take place through a combination of on-line lectures, tutorials and practical sessions.

Overview

  • Entry requirements comprise an undergraduate degree in a related field, however those with sufficient work experience will be considered for the course.

 

The entry requirements for the course are as follows:

 
One or more of the following must apply:

- BSc Radiography, BSc Radiation Therapy or equivalent.

- BSc Physics or equivalent.

- An individual named on the General Register of the Medical Council or on the Register of the UK General Medical Council.

- An individual named on the Register of Dentists held by the Dental Council of Ireland or on the Dentists Register of the UK General Dental Council.

- Nurses registered with an Bord Altranais.

- An individual named on the Register of the Veterinary Council of Ireland or on the Register of Members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
 
- A good standard of education (minimum of Leaving Certificate or equivalent) with evidence of ongoing training in the area of Radiation Safety and professional experience in a field utilising ionising radiation an operating under current legislation (SI 256 / SI30 for diagnostic exposures or international equivalent).
 
The following should also apply:

- Be currently employed in a facility which uses ionising radiation within the State regulated and licensed by the Environmental Protection Agency of Ireland or within similarly regulated and licensed facilities internationally.

- Demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development (CPD) within the realms of radiation protection.

- Be computer literate and have continuous internet access for the duration of the programme.

- Possess a good standard of English (proof of accredited English language study certificate may be needed). Details of English language requirements can be found here  
  • International applicants are welcome to apply providing they satisfy the eligibility criteria mentioned above.
  • Information on studying at UCD as international students including a list of  FAQs is available here.   

Application deadline: 13th January 2025

For information on course fees please visit:

EU applicants fees

Non EU applicants fees

(please enter programme title or programme major code – in the search bar)

Applicants (regardless of their sponsorship status) are required to pay a non-refundable deposit in order to accept programme offers.

Academic Programme Director

Programme Administrator

Ms Shauna Murphy
School of Medicine
Health Sciences Centre
UCD Belfield
Dublin 4


E: shauna.murphy@ucd.ie

Diagnostic Imaging Programme Office
School of Medicine
Health Sciences Centre
UCD Belfield
Dublin 4


T: + 353 1 716 6545
F:  + 353 1 716 6547
E: graduate.imaging@ucd.ie

 

 

 

Key Information:

  • Major Code X659(Sept),X403(Jan)
  • Duration 4 Months
  • Schedule Part-Time
  • Next Intake Jan and Sept Annually
  • Application by 13th January 2025

Download the Professional Certificate Radiation Safety Brochure