Students shall be made aware of methods and procedures for protecting themselves, the patient and the general public from unnecessary exposure to radiation before being assigned to the clinical sites.

1. The students shall utilize ionizing radiation equipment in a safe manner and provide patient and personnel protection by practicing the following:
• Implementation of the Three Cardinal Rules (time, distance, and shielding) of Radiation Protection.
• Wearing a dosimeter at the collar at all times. During fluoroscopy the dosimeter shall be worn outside the lead apron
• Providing gonadal shielding correctly, as the specific exams allow.
• Wearing protective apparel (lead aprons, thyroid shields, etc.) during any fluoroscopic or mobile procedure.
• Questioning all female patients of childbearing age, as to the likelihood of pregnancy.
• Complying with the program policy prohibiting the holding of patients during exposure.
• Complying with the program policy pertaining to student pregnancy.
• Complying with the program policy pertaining to performing any repeat exposure under direct supervision only.
2. Students shall be issued a dosimeter to be worn at their clinical assignment. The Clinical Coordinator shall supply the radiation monitor (dosimeter) to the students before they are assigned to the clinical sites. Wearing the radiation-monitoring device is done in order to maintain accordance with established recommendations of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) and current regulations of the State of New York Bureau of Environmental Control. In that radiation doses are maintained “As Low As Reasonably Achievable,” (ALARA) and to provide protection for the program by providing documentation and proper management of student radiation exposure.
3. Students shall not, under any circumstances, be allowed to perform radiologic examinations without wearing their dosimeter. The dosimeter is to be worn at the collar level and outside the protective lead apron. The student is responsible for wearing the radiation monitor whenever they report to the Clinical Site. In the case of a lost or damaged monitor, the students shall report the situation to the Clinical Coordinator and a replacement dosimeter shall be ordered. The Student shall be responsible for the cost of the replacement dosimeter. The student shall not attend their clinical assignment until the new dosimeter is received. The student is then responsible for making up any clinical assignment in accordance with the attendance policy.
4. In an effort to keep the radiation exposure levels of students, the patient, and the general public to a minimum, the following guidelines are established:
• Students shall not hold patients during exposure for any reason.
• Students shall not make an exposure while another Radiology employee holds the patient
• Students shall inform the Clinical Coordinator of any incidences of their dosimeter being exposed while it was not being worn.
• The student shall inform the Clinical Coordinator of any incidences that may have caused excessive radiation to themselves. The Clinical Coordinator shall report this to the Program Director and the Director of Education, who, if deemed necessary, shall report the incident to the Radiation Safety Officer for appropriate follow up.
• Upon receipt of the monthly radiation monitoring report, the Clinical Coordinator shall:
• Review the report and post the exposure statement in the bulletin board of the Administrative Offices. Each student is expected to initial and date the report to indicate they have reviewed it.
• A monthly exposure report above 42mrem shall be deemed higher than expected with the following actions to occur:
• The Clinical Coordinator shall review the report with the student in an effort to determine possible reasons for the elevated exposure.
• The Clinical Coordinator shall document any findings that may explain the excess exposure on the student’s exposure report.
• If overexposure is due to student negligence or disregard of radiation safety, the student’s suitability for the radiography field shall be reevaluated.
• Any documentation of excessive radiation will be reviewed by the Radiation Safety Officer for appropriate follow-up.
• All documentation shall be maintained in the student’s file.
• A Cumulative report of student’s exposure history during their enrollment in the program shall be issued upon request when the student graduates or withdraws from the program.