WAC 246-240-163   Training for imaging and localization studies.  Except as provided in WAC 246-240-078, the licensee shall require an authorized user of unsealed radioactive material for the uses authorized under WAC 246-240-157 to be a physician who:

     (1) Is certified by a medical specialty board whose certification process has been recognized by the department, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission or an agreement state and who meets the requirements in subsection (3)(b) of this section. (Specialty boards whose certification process has been recognized by the commission or an agreement state will be posted on the U.S. NRC's web page at http://www.nrc.gov.) To be recognized, a specialty board shall require all candidates for certification to:

     (a) Satisfy the requirements in subsection (3)(a) of this section; and

     (b) Pass an examination, administered by diplomates of the specialty board, which assesses knowledge and competence in radiation safety, radionuclide handling, and quality control;

     (2) Is an authorized user under WAC 246-240-210 and meets the requirements in WAC 246-240-163 (3)(a)(ii)(G) and 246-240-210 or equivalent agreement state or U.S. NRC requirements; or

     (3)(a) Has completed seven hundred hours of training and experience, including a minimum of eighty hours of classroom and laboratory training, in basic radionuclide handling techniques applicable to the medical use of unsealed radioactive material for imaging and localization studies. The training and experience must include, at a minimum:

     (i) Classroom and laboratory training in the following areas:

     (A) Radiation physics and instrumentation;

     (B) Radiation protection;

     (C) Mathematics pertaining to the use and measurement of radioactivity;

     (D) Chemistry of radioactive material for medical use;

     (E) Radiation biology; and

     (ii) Work experience, under the supervision of an authorized user, who meets the requirements in WAC 246-240-163, or 246-240-210 and 246-240-163 (3)(a)(ii)(G), or equivalent agreement state or U.S. NRC requirements, involving:

     (A) Ordering, receiving, and unpacking radioactive materials safely and performing the related radiation surveys;

     (B) Performing quality control procedures on instruments used to determine the activity of dosages and performing checks for proper operation of survey meters;

     (C) Calculating, measuring, and safely preparing patient or human research subject dosages;

     (D) Using administrative controls to prevent a medical event involving the use of unsealed radioactive material;

     (E) Using procedures to safely contain spilled radioactive material and using proper decontamination procedures;

     (F) Administering dosages of radioactive drugs to patients or human research subjects; and

     (G) Eluting generator systems appropriate for preparation of radioactive drugs for imaging and localization studies, measuring and testing the eluate for radionuclidic purity, and processing the eluate with reagent kits to prepare labeled radioactive drugs; and

     (b) Has obtained written certification, signed by a preceptor authorized user who meets the requirements in WAC 246-240-163, or 246-240-210 and 246-240-163 (3)(a)(ii)(G) or equivalent agreement state or U.S. NRC requirements, that the individual has satisfactorily completed the requirements in (a) of this subsection and has achieved a level of competency sufficient to function independently as an authorized user for the medical uses authorized under WAC 246-240-151 and 246-240-157.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 70.98.050. 07-14-131, § 246-240-163, filed 7/3/07, effective 8/3/07; 06-05-019, § 246-240-163, filed 2/6/06, effective 3/9/06.]