Level - 3 RSO Exam Related Study Materials

Level-III  RSO Certification for Medical Radiation Facilities  (RSO-MRF)

The examination shall consist of: 

I. A written paper of 100 marks (90% weightage for objective type questions and 10% weightage for subjective type questions based on scenario having radiological consequences, to evaluate the report writing skill) 

Objective type questions: Correct answer: 100 % Mark ( +1 mark )

Wrong Answer: -50% Mark ( - 0.5 mark )

No Attempt: Zero Mark 

II. Viva-Voice of 100 Marks 

Passing Criteria: 

I. Not less than 50% each in written and viva-voce examinations 

II. Not less than 60% in aggregate 

Number of Attempts: 3 

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Syllabus for the Examination (Click here to Download)

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1. Basic Radiation Physics 

Atomic structure, atomic number, mass number, isotopes, radioisotopes, radioactivity, specific activity, general properties of alpha, beta and gamma rays; laws of radioactivity and successive transformations, half-life, decay constant, mean life, natural radioactive series, radioactive equilibrium, artificial radioactivity, production of radioisotopes by neutron and charged particle bombardments, nuclear cross sections. 

2. Interaction of Radiation with Matter

Interaction of charged particles with matter, energy transfer mechanisms, scattering, excitation and ionisation, Range-energy relationship, Bragg curve, stopping power, bremsstrahlung, passage of heavy charged particles though matter, specific ionization. Interaction of X- and gamma rays with matter {Photoelectric effect, Compton scattering, Pair production}, exponential attenuation, modes of interactions, attenuation and mass energy absorption coefficients, relative importance of various processes, buildup correction, shielding materials. Interaction of neutrons with matter, scattering, absorption, neutron induced nuclear reactions, radioactive capture reactions {(n, p), (n, )}, moderation, shielding materials. 

3. Basic X-ray Physics

 Production and properties of X-rays, characteristics and continuous spectra, basic requirements of medical diagnostic and therapeutic tubes, safety devices in X-ray tubes, technology of modern X-ray tubes, insulation and cooling of X-ray tubes, filtration and beam quality, mobile and dental units, malfunctions of X-ray tubes, limitations on loading, control panels, image intensifiers; technology of electron accelerators. 

4. Radiation Quantities and Units

Particle flux and fluence, energy flux and fluence, cross section, energy, linear energy transfer (LET), linear and mass attenuation coefficients, mass stopping power, W-value, 8 exposure (rate), Kerma (rate), Terma, absorbed dose (rate), activity, rate constants, charged particle equilibrium (CPE), radiation weighting factors, tissue weighting factors, equivalent dose, effective dose, collective effective dose, Annual Limit of Intake {ALI}, Derived Air Concentration {DAC}, personnel dose equivalent, committed dose. 

5. Radiation Dosimetry

Absorbed dose, Kerma, exposure, activity, rate constants, Charged Particle Equilibrium (CPE), relationship between Kerma, absorbed dose and exposure under CPE; determination of exposure and air kerma, ionization chambers for low, medium and high energy, X-rays and gamma rays; electrometers, determination of absorbed dose, Bragg Gray cavity principle, Burlin and Spencer-Attix cavity theories and their applications, dosimetry using ionization chambers, films, Thermoluminescence Dosimeters (TLDs,) calorimeters and chemical dosimeters; beam and source dosimetry, dosimetry of point source/line source/cylindrical source, neutron dosimetry, consistency check of dosimeters. 

6. Radiation Detection and Measurement

  6.1 Principles of Radiation Detection

Basic principles of radiation detection, Gas Filled detectors: Ionization chambersTheory and design; Construction of condenser type chambers and thimble chambers; Gas multiplication, Proportional and GM Counters; Characteristics of organic and inorganic counters, dead time and recovery time, solid state detectors (scintillation detectors, semiconductor detectors), Chemical systems: Radiographic and Radiochromic films; Thermoluminescent Dosimeters (TLD), Optically stimulated Luminescence dosimeters (OSLD), radiophotoluminescent dosimeters, neutron detectors, nuclear track emulsions for fast neutrons, solid state nuclear track (SSNTD) detectors, calorimeters. 

6.2 Radiation Measuring & Monitoring Instruments

Dosimeters based on condenser chambers, pocket chambers, dosimeters based on current measurement, different types of electrometers- MOSFET, Vibrating condenser and Varactor bridge types; secondary standard therapy level dosimeters, farmer dosimeters, radiation field analyzer (RFA), radioisotope calibrator, multipurpose dosimeter, water phantom dosimetry systems, brachytherapy dosimeters, Thermoluminescent dosimeter readers for medical applications, calibration and maintenance of dosimeters. Instruments for personnel monitoring, TLD badge readers, glass dosimeter readers, digital pocket dosimeters using solid state devices and GM counters, teletector, radiation survey meter, gamma area/zone alarm monitors, contamination monitors for alpha, beta and gamma radiation; hand and foot monitors, laundry and portal monitors, scintillation monitors for X-ray and gamma radiations, neutron monitors, tissue equivalent survey meters, flux meter and dose equivalent monitors, pocket neutron monitors, teledose systems. Instruments for counting and spectrometry, portable counting systems for alpha and beta radiation, gamma ray spectrometers, multichannel analyzers, liquid scintillation counting system, RIA counters, whole body counters, air monitors for radioactive particulates and gases. 

7. Radiation Biology

Interaction of radiation with cells, chromosome aberrations, mutations, potentially lethal and sub-lethal damages, modification of radiation damage, LET, RBE, dose rate, dose fractionation, stochastic and deterministic effects of radiation, acute radiation sickness, LD50/60, prenatal effect, effects of radiation on skin, blood forming organs, digestive tract and reproductive system; effects of chronic and acute exposure to radiation, induction of leukemia and radiation carcinogenesis, genetic effects of radiation, physical and biological factors affecting cell survival, chemical and hyperthermic sensitizers, radioprotectors, tumour biology, non-conventional fractionation schemes, high LET radiation therapy, radiobiological basis of radiotherapy, time dose fractionation (TDF) and gap correction, linear quadratic model. 

8. Diagnostic Radiology

Physical principles of X-ray diagnosis, density, contrast, detail and definition of radiographs, selection of kV, mAs, filtration, FSD, screens, films, grids, contrast media, basics of radiography, myelography, tomography, fluoroscopy, pelvimetry, stereoscopy, film processing, image intensifiers, optimization of patient dose, guidance levels, CT scanners and their applications, digital subtraction angiography (DSA), mammography, bone densitometry, dental radiography, interventional radiology, digital radiology, performance standards and acceptance criteria for diagnostic equipment, quality assurance (QA) in diagnostic radiology. 

9. Nuclear Medicine

Clinical radioisotope laboratory and its organization, use of open isotopes including 99Tc in functional studies, measurement of radioactivity, design aspects of collimators, use of whole body counters, physical principles of isotope dilution analysis, circulation time, radioisotope scanners and cameras, cyclotron produced radionuclides, SPECT, PET, radio-immunoassay(RIA), 131I therapy, patient dose, guidance levels, protection principles and decontamination procedures, performance standards and acceptance criteria for nuclear medicine equipment, quality assurance (QA) in nuclear medicine. 

10. Radiotherapy

Benign and malignant tumours, palliative and curative therapy, beam therapy equipments- kV X-ray machine, telecobalt units, medical electron linear accelerators; output calibration procedures for photon and electron beams, dosimetry parameters, patient dose calculations, neutron capture therapy, proton and heavy ion therapy, radioisotopes used in brachytherapy, LDR, MDR, HDR and PDR brachytherapy; remote afterloading brachytherapy units, source strength measurement, integrity checks for sources, treatment planning system (TPS) used in radiotherapy, IMRT/IGRT, recent advances in radiotherapy, patient and occupational safety measures, performance standards and acceptance criteria for radiotherapy equipment, quality assurance (QA) in radiotherapy.  

11. Radiation Protection Standards

Radiation dose to individuals from natural radioactivity in the environment and manmade sources, basic concepts of radiation protection standards, International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and its recommendations, categories of exposures, risk factors, international/national radiation protection standards- ICRP, BSS and AERB, overview of UNSCEAR recommendations, factors governing internal exposures, radionuclide concentrations in air and water and contamination levels, dose limits for occupational workers, general public, comforters and trainees. 

12. Radiation Hazard Evaluation and Control

Internal and external radiation hazards, evaluation and control of external radiation hazards, individual and workplace monitoring, application of time, distance and shielding; shielding calculations, planning of medical radiation installations, shielding calculation parameters- workload (W), use factor (U), occupancy factor (T); primary and secondary protective barriers, design and shielding requirements for diagnostic X-ray facilities, telecobalt, medical accelerator, brachytherapy installations and medical radioisotope laboratories. Radiation monitoring instruments, calibration check of monitoring instruments, radiation monitoring procedures for radiation generating equipment and installations, protective measures to reduce radiation exposures to patients and occupational workers, radiation hazards in radioisotope laboratories, protective equipment. 

13. Disposal of Radioactive Waste

Radioactive wastes, sources of radioactive waste, classification of waste, treatment techniques for solid, liquid and gaseous effluents; permissible limits for disposal of waste, sampling techniques for air, water and solid; geological, hydrological, media meteorological and ecological considerations for waste disposal, decontamination procedures. Disposal of radioactive wastes, general methods of disposal, management of radioactive waste in medical radiation facilities. 

14. Transport of Radioactive Material 

Regulatory aspects of transport of radioactive material (RAM), introduction, terms used (e.g. Competent Authority, A1& A2 values, unilateral & multilateral approvals, special form radioactive material, special arrangement, transport index (TI) etc.), transport scenarios (routine, normal and accidental), variety of packages covered under the transport regulations (including designing, testing, transport and storage); general requirements of all packaging, requirements for transport by air mode, test requirements, preparation, marking, labeling of packages, preparation of transport documents (consignors declaration, TREM Card, instructions to the carrier & emergency preparedness in writing), responsibilities of consignor, general instructions and response to off-normal situations during transport. 

15. Regulatory Aspects for Medical Radiation Facilities 

National legislation, regulatory framework, relevant regulatory documents such as Act, Rules, applicable safety codes, standards, guides and manuals, radiation surveillance procedures; regulatory control- licensing, inspection and enforcement; responsibilities of employer, licensee, Radiological Safety Officer (RSO), technologist, radiation workers and radioisotope supplier. Regulatory requirements for import/export, procurement, use, handling, transfer and disposal of radioisotopes, inventory control, Radiation Protection Programme (RPP). Safety and security of sources during storage, use, transport and disposal, security principles, security culture, security functions, categorization of radiation sources, security levels and security objectives, security threat and vulnerability assessment, security provisions: administrative and technical measures, graded approach in security provision, physical protection system. 

16. Radiation Emergencies and Medical Management 

Radiation accidents and emergencies in the use of radiation sources and equipment in radiotherapy, nuclear medicine and diagnostic radiology, radiation safety during source transfer operations, source stuck and handling procedures, loss of radiation sources, their tracing and recovery, case studies and lessons learned, Radiation injuries and medical management. 

17. Emergency Response Plans and Preparedness 

Normal and potential exposures, accident situations involving radioisotopes, elements of emergency planning and preparedness including procedures for notification and line of communication, administrative and technical procedures, emergency response accessories, responsibilities of employer, licensee, RSO, technologist, radiation workers and radioisotope/ equipment supplier in case of emergency