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Occupational Internal Dosimetry

Continuing education course for health physics professionals engaged in radiation dose measurement

Introduction

Personnel working with unencapsulated radioactive materials have the potential to receive internal doses via inhalation or ingestion. Recent experience involving the intake of alpha emitters at nuclear power plants has created a need for individuals who understand the current methods for determining radiation dose from such intakes. To meet this need, ORAU conducts a five-day training course—Occupational Internal Dosimetry. The American Academy of Health Physics grants 40 Continuing Education Credits for completion of this course.

Training dates

Please consider registering for the online Occupational Internal Dosimetry course.

Course description

This five-day course is designed to provide course participants with a thorough understanding of current methods for determining radiation doses resulting from intakes of radioactive materials by workers. The course covers the basic concepts and principles of internal dose assessments, and describes the ICRP internal dosimetry systems and models currently in use in the U.S. and internationally. Bioassay methods (both direct and indirect) are reviewed and bioassay interpretation is discussed in detail. Regulations and regulatory guidance is discussed, including the design of bioassay programs and methods for demonstrating regulatory compliance. Finally, quality assurance and methods for program evaluation are covered. Throughout the course, students work detailed example problems covering all aspects of internal dose assessment.

Who should attend

This course is designed for individuals who currently have or anticipate having the responsibility to implement, manage, or evaluate occupational internal dosimetry programs. Participants should be familiar with basic concepts and radiation quantities and units.

Cost

$1,995 - The tuition includes the full cost of training and instructional materials in electronic form (PDF). Attendees should bring a laptop or tablet that is wifi enabled in order to download the instructional materials on the first day of the course. A printed copy of the instructional materials may be purchased for an additional fee ($50) if preferred. The print option can be selected during registration. Attendees will also receive a free copy of the ORAU Professional Training Programs Electronic Library DVD.

Registration Information

 

  • PTP has upgraded our instructional materials to an electronic format. Attendees should bring a laptop or tablet that is wifi enabled in order to download the instructional materials on the first day of the course. The lecture handouts that have traditionally been available in course notebooks will now be provided electronically. Textbooks and other resources may still be available in hardcopy for certain courses. If your preference is to work from printed materials please choose that option during registration and the notebook(s) will be provided for use on the first day of the course for an additional fee ($50). Lab handouts will still be provided for courses that include a laboratory component. If you have any questions, please contact the Registrar.

    The decision deadline for running a course is 30 days prior to the course start date. If there are not enough registrants at that time, the course will be cancelled, so please REGISTER EARLY. If you are unable to register prior to the deadline, please contact the Registrar for assistance.

    You have several options on registration and payment for an ORAU PTP course:

    • Register and pay online (see course listings for registration links) with a credit card (VISA, MasterCard, AMEX or Discover)
    • Contact the Registrar by email or phone for complete assistance in registration and payment.

    Be sure to read the following information prior to registering.

    Non-citizens (U.S.)

    Since this training takes place in a Department of Energy facility, certain security requirements must be met. Foreign nationals must be cleared before attending, a process that may take several weeks. If you are a foreign national, contact the Registrar for additional information.

    Confirmation

    One month prior to the course starting date, if that much advance time is available, you will receive written confirmation of your registration, as well as additional information regarding time, local lodging, and local transportation. You are responsible for your own lodging arrangements.

  • You may cancel your registration 30 days prior to the course start date with no penalty. Individuals who cancel within 30 days of the course start date will be assessed a 10% cancellation fee based on the cost of the course. Individuals who do not notify ORAU of cancellation and do not attend the course will be assessed a 20% cancellation fee.

    Cancellations must be communicated directly to the ORAU Professional Training Programs Registrar and a confirmation will be provided. Cancellation fees will be invoiced to participants after the completion of the course. If a course was paid in full at the time of registration, reimbursement (minus any applicable cancellation fee) will be processed after course completion.

    ORAU’s Professional Training Programs reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a course due to insufficient participants, or for other reasons beyond our control. If a course is canceled, you will be notified by phone or email one month prior to the start date of the course. No cancellation fee will be assessed for courses canceled by ORAU. If ORAU cancels the course, any payments received prior to the cancellation of the course will be refunded in full.

    ORAU does not recommend that participants make non-refundable travel arrangements prior to the one month cancellation window. ORAU is not liable for such costs if the course is canceled.

    Time Action Cancellation Fee
    ≥ 30 days before start date of the course ORAU cancels course or participant cancels registration None
    < 30 days before start date of the course Participant cancels registration 10% of course cost
    Week of course Participant does not attend and/or provide notification before start date of the course 20% of course cost
    1. From the airport, take US 129 N (Alcoa Highway) toward Knoxville for approximately 2.3 miles.
    2. Use the right lane to merge onto I-140 W via the ramp to Oak Ridge.
    3. Continue on I-140 W for approximately 11.4 miles. As you cross interstate I-40/I-75, I-140 ends and becomes TN-162. Continue on TN-162 (Pellissippi Parkway).
    4. In 5.9 miles, TN-162 N will merge with TN-62 W. You will travel through the small Solway community that primarily consists of gas stations and small stores. Continue over the Clinch River/Solway Bridge, and past a local cemetery that will be on the right.
    5. Stay in one of the left two lanes and continue another 6.3 miles to Oak Ridge.

    Directions to the training center:

    1. After you have crossed over the Clinch River/Solway Bridge and cemetery is on your right, you will see a sign that says “Bethel Valley Road ORNL Y12 Complex, CLOSED TO THROUGH TRAFFIC.” Exit to the right onto Bethel Valley Road.
    2. In approximately 0.8 miles, the training center will be on the left at the intersection of Bethel Valley Road and Pumphouse Road (to the left) and Scarboro Road (to the right). Turn left onto Pumphouse Road. There will be two entrances immediately on the left into the parking lot.
    3. To enter the facility, walk around to the front of the building. The training center entrance faces Bethel Valley Road closest to the intersection.

    Google Earth coordinates of training facility: 35.983667 -84.222

  • Hotel Address Phone Distance
    Candlewood Suites* 10206 Parkside Drive, Knoxville 865.777.0400
    1.877.226.3539    		 10 miles
    Comfort Inn 433 S. Rutgers Ave., Oak Ridge 865.481.8200
    1.800.228.5150    		 2.5 miles
    Courtyard by Marriott 216 Langley Place, Knoxville 865.539.0600 9 miles
    Days Inn 206 S. Illinois Ave., Oak Ridge 865.483.5615
    1.800.329.7466    		 3 miles
    Doubletree 215 S. Illinois Ave., Oak Ridge 865.481.2468
    1.800.222.TREE    		 3 miles
    Hampton Inn 208 S. Illinois Ave., Oak Ridge 865.482.7889
    1.800.HAMPTON    		 3 miles
    Holiday Inn Express* 114 Tulsa Road, Oak Ridge 1.888.465.4329 3.5 miles
    Homewood Suites by Hilton 10935 Turkey Drive, Knoxville 865.777.0375 10 miles
    Quality Inn 216 S. Rutgers Ave., Oak Ridge 865.483.6809 3 miles
    Residence Inn by Marriott* 215 Langley Place, Knoxville 865.539.5339 9 miles
    SpringHill Suites by Marriott 10955 Turkey Drive, Knoxville 865.966.8888 10 miles
    Staybridge Suites (Extended Stay)* 420 S. Illinois Ave., Oak Ridge 865.298.0050
    1.800.238.8000    		 2.5 miles
    TownePlace Suites by Marriott* 205 Langley Place, Knoxville 865.693.5216 9 miles
    Westgate Apartments 101-O Gates Drive 865.481.0603 8 miles

    *Ask for the ORAU special rate.

    Airline Phone Number
    Allegiant Air 702.505.8888
    American Airlines 1.800.433.7300
    Delta Airlines 702.505.8888
    Frontier Airlines 801.401.9000
    United Airlines 1.800.864.8331
    McGhee Tyson Airport 865.342.3000
    Rental Car Agency Phone Number Reservations
    Alamo 865.342.3210 1.800.327.9633
    AVIS 865.342.3220 1.800.331.1212
    Budget Car Rental 865.342.3220 1.800.527.0700
    Dollar Car Rental 865.342.3250 1.800.366.2277
    Enterprise Rent-a-Car 865.342.1650 1.800.Rent.A.Car
    Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Oak Ridge 865.483.8494 1.800.325.8007
    Hertz 865.342.3232 1.800.654.3131
    National Car Rental 865.342.3240 1.800.227.7368

Tentative Course Schedule

 

    • Monday

       
      8:00 AM Welcome, Registration, Orientation and Photo 
      8:45 AM Introduction to Internal Dosimetry
      11:15 AM Historical Look at Internal Dosimetry
      ICRP 2 Dosimetry System
      1:00 PM ICRP 26/30 Dosimetry System
      2:00 PM ICRP 60 Dosimetry System
      3:00 PM ICRP 103 Dosimetry System
      3:30 PM Problem Session
      Tuesday

       
      8:00 AM ICRP Intake Models: Inhalation
      9:30 AM ICRP Intake Models: Ingestion
      10:45 AM Intake Models: Contaminated Wounds
      12:30 PM ICRP Systemic Biokinetic Models
      1:45 PM ICRP Dosimetry Models
      3:00 PM Problem Session
      Wednesday

       
      8:00 AM Air Sampling in the Workplace
      10:30 AM Bioassay Programs
      1:00 PM In Vitro Bioassay Methods
      1:30 PM In Vivo Bioassay Methods
      2:15 PM Bioassay Interpretation
      3:30 PM Problem Session
      Thursday

       
      8:00 AM Internal Dosimetry at Uranium Facilities
      9:15 AM Internal Dosimetry for Radon
      10:45 AM Internal Dosimetry at Nuclear Power Plants
      12:30 PM Internal Dosimetry at Medical Research Facilities
      1:30 PM Fetal Dosimetry
      2:30 PM NRC Regulations and Guidance for Internal Dosimetry
      3:30 PM Problem Session
      Friday

       
      8:00 AM Internal Dosimetry in Nuclear Medicine
      9:00 AM Treatment for Internal Contamination
      10:00 AM Q&A
      10:30 AM Course Critique and Adjourn
    Human figure showing circulatory system

    What our students are saying

    “Outstanding course! All of the presenters know their material and had so much real world experiences to share. I will highly recommend this class. It gave me a clear understanding of why we do what we do (e.g., restrictions for I-131 therapy patients).”

    “Internal dosimetry was great with so many stories of the people and places notable in history of radiation physics — loved it!”

    “Excellent course. A wealth of information and good tools to expand upon the course.”

    Contact us

    For more information about ORAU's Professional Training Programs, contact:

    Registrar
    ORAU Professional Training Programs 
    P.O. Box 117, MS-11
    Oak Ridge, TN 37831-0117
    Phone: 865.576.3576
    Fax: 865.241.9152
    registrar@orau.org

    ORAU Professional Training Programs flyer

    View the PTP course flyer