North Dakota Administrative Code › Title 33.1 - Department of Environmental Quality › Article 33.1-10 - Radiological Health Rules › Chapter 33.1-10-06 - X-Rays in the Healing Arts › Appendix H - LIMITED X-RAY MACHINE OPERATOR TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

Current through Supplement No. 393, July, 2024
Students must meet the prerequisite requirements of item 1 of
				  subparagraph b of paragraph 2 of subdivision a of subsection 1 of section
				  33.1-10-06-03 and complete the
				  training requirements of this appendix.
Training requirements have been divided into two sections,
				  didactic instruction and clinical experience/supervision. Upon completion of
				  didactic training, the individual must complete the clinical experience
				  requirements of either subdivision a or b of subsection 2 and demonstrate
				  competence for examinations listed in appendix I. Records must be maintained to
				  demonstrate compliance with these requirements.
1. Didactic instruction section: Individuals shall complete a
				  minimum of eighty hours of didactic training at a single course providing the
				  minimum hours of instruction in the subjects below. Correspondence coursework
				  cannot exceed twenty percent of the eighty-hour course (sixteen hours maximum).
				  The course content should approximate the outline below. The eighty-hour course
				  is subject to department approval. Individuals must also complete the
				  three-hour self study course designed by the state health department. An
				  examination is required to demonstrate successful completion of a course.
a.
Basic X-Ray Physics
12 hrs.
- General description of production of
								x-rays
- Function of filtration and effects it has on
								x-ray beam
- Collimation
- Types and function of beam-limiting
								devices
- Design, features, and function of x-ray
								tube
b.
Radiobiology
1 hr.
- Effects of ionizing radiation to the human
								body
- Factors that cause somatic and genetic
								damage
c.
Radiation Protection
6 hrs.
- ALARA concept
- Shielding materials
- Radiation quantity and units of
								measurement
- Basic interactions of x-ray with matter
- Primary and secondary scatter
- Importance of time, distance, shielding
- Maximum permissible
								dose-occupational/public
- Latency period
- Patient protection
d.
Principles of Exposure
15 hrs.
- Factors that control and influence radiographic
								quality
- Properties of x-rays
- Size distortion caused by geometric
								parameters
- Parameters which cause shape distortion
- Technique factor selection
- 15% rule, mAs and kVp relationship
- Grid-types, ratios, and how they affect image
								quality
- Intensifying screens
- X-ray film
- Artifacts
- Inverse square law
e.
Darkroom Procedure and Processing
4 hrs.
- Film storage and handling
- Film processing and troubleshooting
- Design, features, and function of a
								processor
- Silver recovery
- Quality assurance/quality control
f.
Anatomy and Positioning
1. Chest
4 hrs.
2. Abdomen
4 hrs.
3. Extremity
8 hrs.
4. Spine
8 hrs.
5. Skull
8 hrs.
g.
Pediatric
2 hrs.
h.
Rules and Regulations
1 hr.
2. Clinical experience/supervision section. Individuals must
				  complete either a or b below. If the individual is unable to demonstrate
				  clinical competence in a procedure due to a lack of opportunity, the student
				  shall complete the three prerequisite examinations required by appendix J using
				  simulation for subdivisions a through k of subsection 1 of appendix J. Final
				  demonstration of competence in subdivisions a through s of subsection 1 of
				  appendix J should be completed as soon as there is a patient requiring the
				  procedure. No individual may perform an unsupervised procedure for which they
				  have not successfully completed the final demonstration of competence.
a. The individual must complete three months of clinical
				  training during which time they may perform x-ray examinations only under
				  direct supervision.
(1) Direct supervision and evaluation of competence shall be
				  performed by a general diagnostic operator or a limited x-ray machine operator
				  with two years' experience.
(2) The individual shall utilize proper procedure as
				  indicated in appendix J.
(3) The individual shall be evaluated on procedure,
				  performance, and competency on forms provided by the department for each of the
				  examinations listed in appendix I; or
b. Individuals must complete at least one hundred twenty
				  hours of clinical training at a facility where there is routinely fifty or more
				  limited diagnostic x-ray examinations performed per week. During this time they
				  may perform x-ray examinations only under direct supervision. After completing
				  the one hundred twenty hours of training, the individual must complete an
				  additional three-month probationary training period as outlined in number 4 of
				  this part.
(1) Direct supervision and evaluation of competence shall be
				  performed by a general diagnostic operator or a limited x-ray machine operator
				  with two years' experience.
(2) The individual shall utilize proper procedure as
				  indicated in appendix J.
(3) The individual shall be evaluated on procedure,
				  performance, and competency on forms provided by the department for each of the
				  examinations listed in appendix I.
(4) Upon completion of one hundred twenty clinical hours and
				  demonstration of competence in accordance with appendix J for limited x-ray
				  machine operator examinations:
(a) Individuals must complete a three-month probationary
				  training period during which time they may independently perform limited x-ray
				  machine operator examinations for the procedures which they have successfully
				  demonstrated competence.
(b) During the three-month probationary training, a general
				  diagnostic operator, or a limited x-ray machine operator with two years'
				  experience, or a radiologist must evaluate all films and conduct at least six
				  hours of direct supervision on a weekly basis and give feedback on any needed
				  improvements.
[1] All films, including repeat and waste films, must be kept
				  for evaluation.
[2] Evaluation must be done on forms supplied by the
				  department.