14 Radiation Monitor Policy

The Program will issue each student a current radiation monitoring device provided through the IUI Radiation Safety Office.

Personnel exposure reports, received from Mrs. LeMay, the RISP Radiation Safety Coordinator (RSC), will be sent electronically to the students monthly. The Program follows ALARA guidelines, which include policies and procedures for monitoring and intervention in the event of excessive personnel exposure. If a student’s measured dose equivalent exceeds 125 mrem (1.25 mSv) at any time during a calendar quarter, the student will receive an “Investigation of Elevated Radiation Exposure” form from the RISP RSC. This report is generated by the IUI/IUMC Radiation Safety Office and is to be completed and returned to that office as soon as possible. The student will print the report and meet with the RSC to review it. The RSC will electronically submit the signed report to the Radiation Safety Office.

Students must wear a radiation monitoring device while in the clinic. The monitor type assigned is to be worn on the torso (between the waist and collarbone) to get the most accurate reading. When wearing a lead apron, the device should be worn on the outside of the lead. Students not wearing a current monitoring device or not wearing the correct monitor will not be allowed to remain in the clinic.

In Clinic Without a Radiation Monitor

If a student has left their monitor at home, they have the option to go home, retrieve the monitor, and return to the clinic. This option will result in the use of a half p-day for the time away from the clinic. The student also has the option of not returning to the clinic thus using a full p-day.

Replacement for Lost Radiation Monitors

Students are responsible for replacement costs of lost monitoring devices and monitoring device holders and for any delinquency fees assessed. Students who lose their monitoring device should inform their clinical instructor immediately. Arrangements need to be made to obtain a replacement monitor. Students will report to Gatch Hall and report the incident to the RISP RSC. The RSC will instruct the student on how to obtain a replacement monitor. Once a replacement monitor has been assigned the student will return to the clinic. This will result in the use of either a half p-day or full p-day for the time away from the clinic.

In addition, the Radiation Safety Office charges the Radiologic and Imaging Science Programs delinquent fees for late exchanges or lost radiation monitoring devices. A lost device fee is $10.00. A late fee is not assessed until the 15th of the month; however, noncompliance penalties will apply after the 5th of the month. If the device is not turned by the 15th, the student will receive an email indicating that a $10.00 fee is due. Checks for the late fee should be made out to the IU Foundation and turned into the RISP RSC. Students will be check-listed with the university if assessed fees go unpaid. Students cannot register for classes or graduate if check-listed.

Radiation Monitoring Exchange Process

Monitoring devices are exchanged once a month in the RISP office area near the x-ray lab, room 147.

• Students will turn in their old monitoring device and pick up their new one around the 1st of each month.
• NO email reminder will be sent to students to exchange his/her device.
• Students should double-check to ensure they have picked up the correct monitor. After the 5th of each month, non-compliance penalties will apply.

Radiation Monitoring Noncompliance

Non-compliance of radiation monitoring policy will result in a clinical grade deduction.  Examples include, but are not limited to:

• exchanging a monitor for the wrong radiation device
• failure to exchange monitor by the monthly deadline
• losing a radiation monitoring device
• washing, drying, or otherwise damaging the device so that it cannot be read