333-106-0055 General Requirements: X-ray Operator Training (1) The registrant shall assure that individuals who will be operating the X-ray equipment by physically positioning patients or animals, determining exposure parameters, or applying radiation for diagnostic purposes shall have adequate training in radiation safety. (a) Radiation safety training records shall be maintained by the registrant for each individual who operates X-ray equipment. Records must be legible and meet the requirements in OAR 333-120-0690. (b) When requested by the Authority, radiation safety training records shall be made available. (2) Dental X-ray operators who meet the following requirements are considered to have met the requirements in section (1) of this rule: (a) Currently licensed by the Oregon Board of Dentistry as a dentist, dental therapist, or dental hygienist; or (b) Is a dental assistant who is certified by the Oregon Board of Dentistry in radiologic proficiency. (c) Dental radiology students in an approved Oregon Board of Dentistry dental radiology course are permitted to take dental radiographs on human patients during their clinical training, under the direct supervision of a dentist, dental therapist, or dental hygienist currently licensed, or a dental assistant who has been certified in radiologic proficiency by the Oregon Board of Dentistry. (3) Veterinary X-ray operators who meet the following requirements are considered to have met the requirements in section (1) of this rule: (a) Currently licensed by the Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board as a veterinarian or a certified veterinary technician. (b) Veterinary students enrolled in a radiology course approved by the Oregon Veterinary Medical Examining Board are permitted to take radiographs on animal patients during their clinical training under the direct supervision of a veterinarian or a certified veterinary technician who is currently licensed. (4) Diagnostic medical X-ray operators who meet the following requirements are considered to have met the requirements of section (1) of this rule: (a) Holds a current license from the Oregon Board of Medical Imaging; or (b) Holds a current limited X-ray machine operator permit from the Oregon Board of Medical Imaging; or (c) Is a student in an approved school of Radiologic Technology as defined in ORS 688.405 while practicing Radiologic Technology under the direct supervision of a radiologist who is currently licensed with the Oregon Medical Board or a radiologic technologist who is licensed with the Oregon Board of Medical Imaging; or (d) Is a student in an Oregon Board of Medical Imaging approved limited permit program under a radiologic technologist who is licensed by the Oregon Board of Medical Imaging. (5) All other types of X-ray operators must have completed an Authority approved radiation use and safety course. (6) At a minimum, an Authority approved training course shall cover the following subjects: (a) Nature of X-rays: (A) Interaction of X-rays with matter; (B) Radiation units; (C) X-ray production; (D) Biological effects of X-rays; and (E) Risks of radiation exposure. (b) Principles of the X-ray machine: (A) External structures and operating console; (B) Internal structures: (i) Anode; and (ii) Cathode. (C) Operation of an X-ray machine; (D) Tube warm up; (E) Factors affecting X-ray emission: (i) mA; (ii) kVp; (iii) Filtration; and (iv) Voltage waveform. (c) Principles of radiation protection: (A) Collimation; (B) Types of personal protection equipment and who must wear it; (C) ALARA; (D) Time, distance, shielding; (E) Operator safety; (F) Personal dosimetry: (i) Types of dosimetry; (ii) Proper placement of dosimetry; and (iii) Situations that require dosimetry. (G) Occupational and non-occupational dose limits. (d) Radiographic technique: (A) Factors affecting technique choice: (i) Thickness of part; (ii) Body composition; (iii) Pathology; and (iv) Film versus computed radiography (CR) and digital radiography (DR). (B) How to develop an accurate chart; (C) Low dose techniques; (D) Pediatric techniques (does not apply to veterinary); and (E) AEC Techniques. (e) Darkroom: (A) Safelights; (B) Chemical storage; (C) Film storage; and (D) Darkroom cleanliness. (f) Image processing: (A) Automatic film processing; (B) Dip tank film processing; (C) Computed radiography (CR) processing; and (D) Digital radiography (DR) processing. (g) Image critique: (A) Reading room conditions; (B) Light box conditions; (C) Image identification; (D) Artifacts; (E) Exposure indicators for CR and DR; (F) Technical parameter evaluation; and (G) Positioning evaluation. (h) Veterinary X-ray use (for veterinary courses only): (A) Types of animal restraints; (B) Small animal versus large animal; (C) Film holders; and (D) Portable X-ray machine safety. (i) Applicable federal and state radiation regulations including those portions of chapter 333, divisions 100, 101, 103, 106, 111, 120, and 124. (7) In addition to the training outlined in section (6) of this rule, medical X-ray equipment operators using diagnostic radiographic equipment on human patients, and who are not regulated by the Oregon Board of Medical Imaging, must have 100 hours or more of instruction in radiologic technology including, but not limited to: (a) Anatomy physiology, patient positioning, exposure and technique; and (b) Appropriate types of X-ray examinations that the individual will be performing; and in addition (c) Receive 200 hours or more of X-ray laboratory instruction and practice in the actual use of an energized X-ray unit, setting techniques and practicing positioning of the appropriate diagnostic radiographic procedures that they intend to administer. (8) All X-ray operators shall be able to demonstrate competency in the safe use of the X-ray equipment and associated X-ray procedures. (9) When required by the Authority, applications training must be provided to the operator before use of X-ray equipment on patients. (a) Records of this training must be maintained and made available to the Authority for inspection. (b) The training may be in any format such as hands-on training by a manufacturer’s representative, video or DVD instruction, or a training manual. (10) X-ray equipment operators who have received their radiation safety training outside of Oregon will be considered to have met the training requirements in section (5) of this rule, if the Authority's or applicable Oregon Licensing Board's evaluation of their training or training and experience, reveals that they substantially meet the intent of section (6) of this rule. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 453.605 - 453.807 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 453.605 - 453.807 History: PH 172-2022, amend filed 08/11/2022, effective 08/20/2022 PH 19-2015, f. 9-30-15, cert. ef. 10-1-15 PH 32-2014, f. 12-22-14, cert. ef. 1-1-15 PH 24-2014, f. & cert. ef. 8-15-14 PH 10-2011, f. 9-30-11, cert. ef. 10-1-11 PH 20-2010, f. & cert. ef. 9-1-10 PH 14-2008, f. & cert. ef. 9-15-08 PH 12-2006, f. & cert. ef. 6-16-06 PH 5-2005, f. & cert. ef. 4-11-05 PH 36-2004, f. & cert. ef. 12-1-04 PH 31-2004(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 10-8-04 thru 4-5-05 PH 3-2003, f. & cert. ef. 3-27-03 HD 24-1994, f. & cert. ef. 9-6-94 HD 15-1994, f. & cert. ef. 5-6-94 HD 1-1991, f. & cert. ef. 1-8-91 HD 4-1985, f. & ef. 3-20-85