ABHP Certification Radiation Disciplines

Transcription

1 Photos placed in horizontal position with even amount of white space between photos and header ABHP Certification Radiation Disciplines Charles Potter, Ph.D., C.H.P. Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-program laboratory managed and operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, for the U.S. Department of Energy s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-AC04-94AL SAND NO XXXXP

2 What is ABHP Certification? Meaning of Certification Meets academic and professional experience requirements Passed examination testing competency Can identify as CHP or DABHP Not a license or legal qualification Professional Responsibilities Exhibit highest ethics and professional integrity standards Practice only in areas of competence Remain professionally active Retain knowledge of scientific, technical, and regulatory developments Certification is accredited by CESB

3 A brief history 1958: ABHP established by HPS BOD 1960: First certification exam administered 1964: Experience requirement enacted 1960: ABHP incorporated in New York 1961: 80 individuals certified without examination 1965: Exam separated into two parts 1978: Power reactor specialty added 2005: Education requirement modified to conform with Part : Part I converted to multiple choice 1993: Power reactor specialty discontinued

4 American Board of Health Physics Chair, Govind Rao Vice Chair, Pat LaFrate Secretary, George MacDurmon Parliamentarian, Sharon Dossett Four at large members Executive Secretary/Program Director, Nancy Johnson

5 Part I Panel Composition Chair, Bill Rhodes Vice Chair, Cindy Flannery Past Chair, Jay Tarzia Currently nine at large members

6 Part II Panel Composition Chair, Wayne Gaul Vice Chair, Curtis Kwasniewski Past Chair, Glenn Sturchio Currently 25 at large members

7 Certification Requirements Academics: Bachelor s or graduate degree from accredited college or university in physical science or engineering or biological science with 20 credits in physical science (Part 35) Experience: Six years of professional experience with three in applied health physics References: Supervisor Two additional, one C.H.P. (Part II only) Written report (Part II only): On a topic for which the ABHP tests and certifies expertise Contains elements of professional judgment or application of nonregulatory protection guidance Written solely or principally by the candidate

8 Certification process Application: verification of requirements Review by ABHP Exam Final action by ABHP Appeals process Ethics statement Recertification Continuing practice of health physics Continuing education credits Fees Revocation of certificate

9 Exam Part I Format 150 Multiple choice questions Measurements and instrumentation Standards and requirements Hazards analysis and controls Operations and procedures Fundamentals and education Exam time: three hours Early admission: Master's degree in health physics or a closely related field by 30 June of the year in which the exam is to be taken Bachelor's degree in health physics by 15 January of the year in which the exam is to be taken and have one year of applied professional experience Another acceptable bachelor's degree and two years of professional experience at the time of examination.

10 Exam Part II Format Six 50-point questions (complete all) personnel dosimetry (internal and external) shielding and activation measurements and instrumentation biological effects of radiation (risk) Eight 100-point questions (complete four) Accelerators Research and Power Reactors Environmental University Fuel Cycle General Medical Nonionizing Exam time: six hours

11 Example Part I Problem (General knowledge) The biologically most significant type of interaction of thermal neutrons with atoms in tissue is: 1. ionization. 2. elastic scattering. 3. inelastic scattering. 4. hydrolization. 5. capture.

12 Example Part I Problem (simple calculation) A mono-energetic photon beam is measured to have an exposure rate of 100 mr hr -1 at 1 meter. An absorber of 0.2 m thickness ( = 6.93 m -1 ) is placed in the beam. What is the shielded exposure rate at 5 meters from this source? 1. 1 mr hr mr hr mr hr mr hr mr hr -1

13 Example Part I Problem (Expert knowledge) Right-angle scattered x-ray radiation exposure measured one meter from the beam of a fluoroscope will be: 1. about 0.01% of the incident beam at the scatterer. 2. about 0.1% of the incident beam at the scatterer. 3. about 1% of the incident beam at the scatterer. 4. about 10% of the incident beam at the scatterer. 5. of little significance and can be ignored for all practical purposes.

14 Example Part II Problem (50 points)

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16 D. The oxygen enhancement ratio (OER) is the ratio of the dose without oxygen to the dose with oxygen present that produces the same biological effect. (10 points) 1. Calculate, using the data in the graph below, the OER for x-rays for the system. Assume 15% mortality. Show all calculations. 2. The basis for this OER is (select one and explain your answer) a) Oxygen affects chromosomal damage from radiation. b) Oxygen modifies the direct action of the radiation. c) Oxygen modifies the indirect action of the radiation. d) Oxygen interferes with repair mechanisms

17 Example Part II Problem (100 points)

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21 ABHP Certification and Medical RSO ABHP is a specialty board recognized by the NRC under 10 CFR Part 35.50(a). Automatic acceptance only back to 2005 because of degree requirement. Better than ABMP or ABR, but full grandfather status not achieved. Advantage of CHP: Shows capability in broader realm of health physics useful for a variety of applications. Advantage of ABMP: Some agreement states have specified ABMP as the required certification.

22 Historical Number of Exams Part I Part II

23 Historical Passing Rates 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% Part I Part II 0.0%

24 Issues Required certification for medical RSO in certain agreement states (ABMP vs. CHP) ABR Study Material Preparedness of candidates for ABHP Part II exam

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