RPA 2000

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RPA 2000 An Assessing Body under IRR99 Training
Courses and Renewal

• Training Courses
• Renewal
• Current position
• HSE Statement
• RPA 2000 system
• Future plans

Colin Partington MBE Chairman SRP QPS RPA 2000,
June 2004
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Most Important Event of the Year
William Johannes Backes
One year and six weeks old
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Training Courses
Demonstrate you have met each component of the
Basic Syllabus to the required standard . E.g.

• GA - General Awareness
• knows that the topic exists and aware of its
  significance to work activities in context.
• knows how and where to obtain help on the topic
  if needed.

BU Basic atomic and nuclear physics BU Basic
biology BU Interaction of radiation with
matter BU Biological effects of radiation BU
Detection and measurement methods
(including uncertainties and limits of
detection) BU Quantities and units
(including dosimetry underlying regulatory
quantities BU Basis of radiation protection
standards (eg epidemiology, linear
hypothesis for stochastic effects, deterministic
effects)

• BU - Basic Understanding
• basic understanding of the topic with a level of
  detail that allows the RPA to apply it to
  familiar work activities in context.
• can research further knowledge using readily
  available sources and apply it in less familiar
  circumstances.

• DU - Detailed Understanding
• good understanding of the topic and the
  underlying principles
• can apply the knowledge in appropriate contexts.
• can apply the knowledge working from basic
  principles to deal with situations in new or
  unfamiliar areas
• can identify and influence the peripheral and
  long term issues arising from its application

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Training Courses-Cross Reference Table
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Course Providers Matrix
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Courses looked at-

• NRPB Modular
• Foundation, External. Internal, Legislation
• Minor components of Emergency and Radwaste
• AURPO-Strathclyde
• 9 units - vocationally based
• assessment by examination and mentor
• MOD
• up to 4 years to achieve PgD(RP)
• 3 modules and disertation

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Training Courses - Note

• Make it simple for the Assessors
• RPA 2000 does not validate courses
• Course providers may claim acceptance and
• Course providers should provide a matrix

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RPA 2000 Certificate Renewal

• RPA2000 will remind when 6 months to go (but
  Planning!!)
• Certificate holders submit-
• Either Portfolio of Evidence and/or satisfactory
  CPD
• or NVQ in last 5 years and/or
  satisfactory CPD
• to show competence is being maintained

..kept up to date their knowledge and
experience of radiation protection legislation
and awareness of technological advances relevant
to radiation protection practice.
3 Assessors will look at Evidence
The SRP (and IPEM) operate CPD schemes (only
10) AURPO and IRP members can use SRP CPD scheme
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Using CPD for re-Certification
In past five years IRR99 has replaced IRR85
Should we assess those bits that are
different? Should we backfit the new
standards? Should we completely re-assess?
?
Some knowledge is now required at Detailed
Understanding

• Optimisation and dose limitation in ICRP
• IRR99
• Hazard and Risk Assessment (including
  environmental impact)
• Minimisation of risk
• Designation of areas and classification of workers

Or can we assume that if they were originally
shown to be competent in understanding the
legislation, they will be competent to understand
any new legislation?
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Using CPD for re-Certification
Primary aim to meet the requirements if the HSE
Statement.
..Not demand more of candidates
suitable evidence that they have kept up to date
their knowledge and experience of radiation
protection legislation and awareness of
technological advances relevant to radiation
protection over the years
. examples of practical work, acceptable
evidence may include reading relevant scientific
or other journals, taking part in email
discussion groups and private study, as well as
attendance at courses, RPA update meetings,
scientific seminars etc
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Using CPD for re-Certification
Activities must be relevant to the work of an
RPA, -technical, managerial and behavioural
competencies.
The majority of activities should be related to
operational radiological protection work.
The bulk of the RPA re-Certification evidence
will probably be earned in activities involving
professional conferences and seminars, training
and radiation protection adviser work.
Evidence of knowing and understanding the
practical interpretation of IRR99 is essential.
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Using CPD for re-Certification
Your record should clearly show how each activity
is relevant to RPA work and operational
radiological protection.
Help your RPA 2000 Assessor by navigating him
through your evidence, thereby making his job
easy dont make him have to work to find the
evidence.
Attendance at Scientific Meetings, Seminars and
Workshops is an important way of keeping up to
date with recent developments. However claiming
virtually all points from formal training
courses, attendance at conferences etc or
private study is not adequate
This is about professional development of your
abilities and knowledge, not ground breaking new
theories on radiation protection. Quite simple
activities are appropriate such as new tasks that
make you refresh your knowledge and
understanding.
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Using CPD for re-Certification
Health Warning to Candidates
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Using CPD for re-Certification
We intend...
SRP CPD Scheme
RPA Re-Certification CPD Module
Points count towards
IPEM CPD Scheme
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Using CPD for re-Certification

• Took on Board last years comments
• Designed new Re-Certification Process

The RPA 2000 Re-Certification Scheme
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Renewal
8.6. ..individuals have maintained and
demonstrated the following
a clear understanding of the role of an RPA
detailed understanding of IRR99 and any
amendments to IRR99
general awareness of other related legislative
developments (eg REPPIR and transport
legislation) and
general awareness of technological advances
relevant to radiation protection practice.
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Renewal 2
Evidence for re-certification might include
any lessons learnt over the last 5 years and
attendance at training courses
Other acceptable evidence might include
reading relevant scientific or other journals
taking part in discussion groups
private study
RPA update meetings
scientific seminars
conducting visits, etc
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Renewal 3
To Help
Scheduled work activities
Category 1 Learning based activities Category
2 Competence based activities
Any other relevant work activities
Consistent with Schedule scoring
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Renewal 4
For a successful Renewal -
Evidence -Some but not a lot- Course
Programme Pref Attend Cert Short extracts from
reports etc Brief description of activity
100 points in five years- but better to give 120
to avoid requests for more.
No bring forward or carry forward
Discretion with Assessors - four years could be
enough!
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Learning based activities
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Competence based activities
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Competence based activities
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Competence based activities
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Competence based activities
Ten points
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RCS Summary

• A strongly focused form of CPD
• Compatible with the SRP CPD Scheme
• Provides standardisation for applicants and
  assessors
• 100 points (5 years) easily gained by any
  practicing RPA
• Guidance is provided for points allocation

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RPA 2000 Applications received and
Applications in Process

End April 2004
Note In process includes those applications not
yet allocated to Assessors