Following a period of consultation the SoR has released new guidance on students' entitlement as operators.
The document explains that under IR(ME)R regulations, student radiographers and trainee assistant practitioners are not entitled as operators unless their employer can prove they are appropriately trained.
An up-to-date training record for all student and assistant practitioner operators must be held and maintained by employers' relevant imaging or radiotherapy deparment. That the status of each individual as an employee or honorary employee must also be confirmed.
Once an employer has entitled a student or trainee as an operator, that employer assumes responsibility for ensuring that adequate and up-to-date local training of the entitled operator is delivered and recorded, and is consistent with the tasks the individual is entitled to carry out.
Student radiographers and trainee assistant practitioners who are not entitled as operators cannot act on their own and require direct supervision.
SoR professional officer, Maria Murry explained: "This guidance has been through a stringent consultation and peer review process and the onus is now on managers to ensure they and their staff are familiar with the advice."
