Radiation Safety Training

What is radiation safety training?

Radiation safety training is structured education for clinical staff and radiation workers covering the principles of radiation protection, ALARA practices, regulatory obligations, and safe handling of radiation-producing equipment. Federal and state regulations — as well as accreditation standards from The Joint Commission and the ACR — require that facilities provide and document radiation safety education for workers who may be occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation.

DRPS delivers on-site radiation safety training by board-certified medical physicists with direct experience in diagnostic imaging, nuclear medicine, and radiation safety program management. Training is tailored to the specific equipment, procedures, and regulatory environment at your facility — not a generic slide deck.

DRPS provides radiation safety training for facilities across Florida, Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, California, Nevada, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Delaware.

What we cover

Fundamentals of ionizing radiation

Basic physics of ionizing radiation — types, sources, and how radiation interacts with tissue — at a level appropriate for clinical staff without a physics background.

ALARA principles in practice

Practical application of time, distance, and shielding as the three pillars of ALARA, with examples drawn from your facility's specific imaging modalities and clinical workflows.

Occupational exposure and monitoring

How radiation dose is measured and monitored, how to interpret dosimetry reports, and what action levels mean for staff safety.

Regulatory requirements and rights

Overview of applicable NRC or state radiation-control regulations, staff rights under regulatory programs, and documentation requirements for your facility type and license category.

Emergency and incident response basics

Recognition of radiation safety incidents, immediate response steps, and reporting obligations — supporting your RSO's emergency response procedures.

Training formats

1-hour annual radiation safety in-service

A concise annual update covering ALARA principles, regulatory awareness, and any facility-specific topics. Designed to meet annual training documentation requirements efficiently during a single shift change or staff meeting.

2-hour comprehensive in-service

Expanded coverage including occupational exposure monitoring, dosimetry review, and modality-specific safety practices. Suitable for facilities with mixed imaging modalities or staff who infrequently work around radiation-producing equipment.

4-hour radiation safety course

A full introductory or refresher course covering fundamentals through regulatory compliance, ALARA application, and facility-specific case examples. Appropriate for new radiation workers, facilities establishing a formal safety culture, or organizations seeking more thorough documented education.

RSO program support training

Training coordinated as part of a broader DRPS Radiation Safety Officer support engagement — designed to reinforce your RSO's program agenda, support radiation safety committee education requirements, and address any compliance gaps identified in your program review.

Regulatory framework

Training content is developed in accordance with applicable NRC regulatory requirements (10 CFR 19), agreement-state radiation-control program requirements, Joint Commission Environment of Care and Life Safety standards, and ACR accreditation requirements for radiation safety. Completion certificates and attendance documentation are provided to support your compliance records.

FAQ

Who needs radiation safety training?

Any worker who is or may be occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation — including radiologic technologists, nurses, physicians, and support staff who routinely enter areas where radiation-producing equipment operates. NRC and state regulations specify training requirements for licensed users; Joint Commission standards add facility-level documentation requirements.

How often does training need to be repeated?

Annual training is the standard expectation under most regulatory frameworks and accreditation programs. New employees should receive initial training before working around radiation-producing equipment.

Can training be provided for multiple shifts or sites in one visit?

Yes — DRPS can schedule multiple sessions in a single day to reach different shifts, or coordinate a multi-site training day for health systems with more than one location.

Does DRPS provide documentation we can keep in our training records?

Yes — attendance records and completion certificates are provided for each training session, formatted for use in Joint Commission survey readiness files and regulatory inspection records.

Can training be combined with a radiation safety program review?

Yes. Training is available as a standalone service or as part of a broader radiation safety program review and RSO support engagement.

What states do you serve?

DRPS serves facilities in Florida, Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC, California, Nevada, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Delaware.

Related

• Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) Support — outsourced and consulting RSO services for licensed facilities
• Radioactive Material License Support — license application, amendment, and renewal support
• Building an ALARA Program — Physics Pulse — technical background on ALARA program structure and implementation
• Contact DRPS