Page 139 - JRCERT Update Articles

JRCERT Update

JRCERT Accreditation Standards:

Focus on Safety

Jason W Stephenson, MD

he Joint Review Committee on Education in Dose monitoring is a well-documented and well-
Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) is commit- understood part of occupational safety maintenance. In
ted to ensuring that radiology, radiation thera- keeping with this precaution, students are required to
Tpy, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and wear dosimetry badges at all times during their training.
medical dosimetry training programs are safe for stu- If students are employed by the medical center as tech-
dents and patients. nologist assistants, they are expected to wear a separate
Although all JRCERT standards are intended to be badge for that activity.
straightforward, differences in interpretation of lan- The educational program should monitor student
guage in standard elements and changes in the scope exposure closely, including ongoing review of student
of training can lead to gaps in compliance. This article dosimetry data. These results should be shared with the
reviews elements within Standard 4 that support the student on a quarterly basis, at minimum. Optimally,
maintenance of “policies and procedures that promote program administration should document the distri-
the health, safety, and optimal use of radiation for stu- bution of these results and confirmation that students
dents, patients, and the general public” and highlights reviewed them.
common compliance pitfalls related to these elements.
Common pitfalls encountered in relation to this
Regulations and Laws standard include insufficient dosimetry data manage-
Within Standard 4, Objective 4.1: ment or distribution.

assures the radiation safety of students through Pregnancy
the implementation of published policies and According to Objective 4.2 a program:
procedures that are in compliance with Nuclear
Regulatory Commission regulations and state laws has a published pregnancy policy consistent with
applicable federal regulations and state laws, made
as applicable. 1-4
known to accepted and enrolled female students,
It is critical that educational program policies and and contains the following elements:
procedures be well documented and shared with appro-  Written notice of voluntary declaration.
priate communities of interest. An effective way for  Option for student continuance in the program
programs to maintain compliance with this objective is without modification.
to share the information on their public website.  Option for written withdrawal of declaration. 1-4

648 RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY, July/August 2017, Volume 88, Number 6
Reprinted with permission from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for educational purposes. ©2019. All rights reserved.