Browsing by Author "McCarthy, L"

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    Emergence of competency based training in radiation safety and developing training courses incorporating these units, oh! what a task!
    (Australiasian Radiation Protection Society, 2012-10-16) McCarthy, L
    In recent times Government Skills Australia developed ten competency based training units in radiation safety, which are part of the Public Sector training package. The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation will be implementing these units into the various commercial training programs it has been conducting for the past 1 5 years. Competency based training has long been a part of Vocational Educational Training (VET)and for those who wish to embark on the development of courses based on the radiation safety competency units a steep learning curve is required, involving new terminology, ever changing departments, websites, regulations and guidelines. (an example of this is the NSW Environmental Protection Agency and its many name changes over the past few years). The presentation will describe the steps and pitfalls encountered by ANSTO since embarking on the remake of our radiation safety training courses incorporating the competency based radiation safety units in Public Sector training package PSP04. The presentation will provide an introduction to these units, including recent changes of Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. CertlV in Training and Assessment is a recommended qualification to begin the challenge of working within the VET system. It is essential due to the recent version changes to upgrade the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment TAA40104 qualification to the TAE401 10 qualification. For those interested parties I will provide a "hands on" navigation of VET system websites and overview of the radiation safety competency units.
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    Trials and tribulations of communicating ionising radiation to the public - 30 years of reflection
    (Australiasian Radiation Protection Society, 2012-10-16) McCarthy, L
    Thirty years working in the field of nuclear medicine, confronted with attitudes and beliefs of both fact and fiction regarding risks posed with radiation has been an interesting challenge. Communicating radiation risks, alleviating fear and the benefits of the field of nuclear medicine requires it to be related to a wide variety of public groups or persons for many different reasons, for example; Why nuclear medicine is a worthwhile procedure and we need a reactor in Australia Why do I need to be injected with a radioactive substance and how is that safe Apprehensive nursing staff having to care for a person treated with high doses of radioactive Iodine Why choose a career in Nuclear Medicine Anti-nuclear activists Why can't I just say 1m injecting a dye, like they do in radiography Healthcare 8 radiation protection professionals, and members of the public have the opportunity to break down the barriers and bridge the gap associated with the common misconceptions and fears related to the radiation involved in nuclear medicine, if the information is relayed with simple clarity and honesty. The presentation reviews the trials and tribulations of working with industry and community groups to break down these misconceptions and gain public support in various facets —such as a career, undertaking a diagnostic procedure, caring for a patient and support for a nuclear reactor. The presentation will review the success and pitfalls of pamphlets, videos, forums, training materials, various media and modalities utilised to communicate radiation risks to various groups and or persons.