Join us for two long weekends for the required 40 hours of training to become a Radiation Safety Officer (RSO)! This course meets the coursework training requirement for a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) type C license, providing the skills needed to successfully implement a radiation protection program in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, university, hospital, or medical laboratory setting.
The NRC requires any organization that uses radioactive material to have a licensed, designated Radiation Safety Officer (RSO). This course is designed to help such organizations apply for or renew their license for use of radioactive materials. The course is not intended to meet the licensing requirements for medical use of radionuclides or fluoroscopic imaging.
Course instructors, with faculty appointments at Columbia University and the Columbia University Medical Center, are experts in their fields. They include faculty from the Center for Radiological Research, the Department of Environmental Health Sciences, the Department of Medicine and the Department of Environmental Health & Safety. Learn more about the course instructors here.
Course Topics
Radiation and radioisotopes
The human health effects of ionizing radiation exposure
Radiation dosimetry and instrumentation
Radiation protection
Safe handling and disposal of radioisotopes
Inventory control
Record keeping and regulatory requirements
Transportation of radioactive materials
Hazard and risk assessment, reduction, and communication
Employee bioassay program
Emergency management, personnel contamination, and response
Course Learning Objectives
Develop RSO skill sets specific to University, Hospital, Medical, Health Department, Governmental or Biopharmaceutical lab environments
Gain expertise in maintaining compliance with radionuclide permit and licensing requirements at local, state and national levels
Create and maintain a safe laboratory working environment
Assess potential radiation risks and relevant human health effects
Develop work plan for employees to effectively reduce or eliminate risk
Limit potential for radiological terrorism using laboratory materials
Understand and apply Health Physics practice in a laboratory setting
Learn management of radiological solid and liquid waste
Understand regulatory requirements and expectations
Gain hands-on experience with instrumentation
Apply “tools of the trade” upon returning to your organization, with a comprehensive resource guide
Additional Information
Subscribe for updates on new RSO Training details and regsitration deadlines.
Contact Dr. Norman Kleiman, the director of the RSO Training Course.
Capacity is limited. Paid registration is required to attend.