Students don’t need to hold a use licence to operate regulated radiation sources in clinical environments under the condition they have immediate supervision at all times. This includes students in nuclear medicine, radiography and radiation therapy.
Exemptions to this condition are only made for students who are undertaking a clinical placement in their final year of a 4-year medical radiation degree. These students may operate under general supervision if they are considered competent by their supervisor and a documented assessment of competency has been made.
A valid document of assessment must:
- include a written assessment
- relate to the individual student
- relate to the site where the student is undertaking their placement
- be based upon the student’s experience and performance at that site
- outline the modality and the type of equipment or radiation source the student is competent in using
- be approved by a licensed person at the site who has overall responsibility for supervising the student
- be issued in accordance with the relevant radiation management plan
- be available for inspection at all times
Students should not automatically progress to working under general supervision. There is no obligation for a supervisor to assess a student as competent.
Immediate supervision means supervision by a licensed person who is present at all times and is observing and directing the use of a regulated radiation source.
General supervision means supervision by a licensed person who oversees and ensures all safe radiation work practices for the use of regulated radiation source are followed.