X-ray Operator Annual Training

This training provides an interactive platform for X-ray Operators (XOs) to undertake structured refresher training, as well as an annual assessment if required for XO licence renewal.

Information regarding XO licences and renewal in Queensland can be found on the Radiation Health Unit’s website.

This training is open to all currently licensed XOs, including those with trainee licences and XOs from outside of Queensland Health. Consideration on a case-by-case basis will be provided to XOs who have attended previously, but are not currently licensed; please contact us directly to discuss.

XOs requiring a competency assessment should contact us to organise training attendance at least four (4) months prior to their licence expiry.

This offering is designed for existing XOs. For pre-licence training, please refer to the X-ray Operator Introductory course.

All XOs should routinely ensure they attend face to face training with their local Radiographic Advisor (RA) every year, ideally at the XO’s facility and the RA’s facility. XOs should also aim to perform sufficient patient examinations each year to maintain adequate skill level (40 – 50 patient examinations per year is generally accepted as a reasonable minimum). If an XO is unable to perform sufficient patient examinations locally, it is recommended they organise time at a Radiographer facility with sufficient throughput to assist with skill maintenance.

If a Certificate of Competency is required for Radiation Health licence renewal, a Radiographic Advisor Report will be required for the participant. A template will be provided on acceptance into the training.

XOs who do not use the Queensland Health Enterprise PACS system will need to, at least six (6) weeks prior to the training, organise access to an electronic portfolio of examinations they have performed over the last year. It is not appropriate to place identified patient images in the post or send via email.

Participants external to Queensland Health are required to complete a clinical placement deed.

This training is coordinated by the Allied Health Education and Training team, with all assessment processes facilitated by a Radiographer endorsed by the Radiation Health Unit, Queensland, to conduct XO assessments.

This interactive training is delivered via videoconference, primarily via the Microsoft Teams platform, for up to eight (8) hours, dependent on the cohort size and needs. Videoconference sessions are generally scheduled between 8.00am and 4.00pm.

Sessions focus on a variety of clinical, medico-legal and theoretical areas pertaining to limited licence radiography. Facilitators aim to tailor the content to demonstrated needs of each group, and active participation is required by all XOs.

Learning materials for this course are accessed through the Cunningham Centre’s online learning management system (LMS). These courses have been tested on the Queensland Health standard operating environment. As of March 2022 this is Microsoft Windows 10 20H2 and Microsoft Edge 64bit v92.

The following software are recommended:

• Microsoft Windows 10 or 11
• Microsoft Edge Browser
• Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Please be aware that:

• Apple Mac computers running the latest version of macOS and the Safari web browser should work without issue, but are not specifically tested or supported by the Cunningham Centre.
• Mobile devices such as iPads, iPhones or Android devices are not recommended or supported.
• For best results, software should have any updates applied.
• Some computers may be running additional software that affects the features and functionality of that computer. This may include, but is not limited to, anti-virus software and web browser plug-ins.
• A broadband internet connection is required to use the LMS. Some files, including videos, may be large; please ensure that you have sufficient data allowance to download and upload data from and to the LMS.
• If a technical issue is reported that is affecting your ability to access online materials, we will attempt to replicate the issue in the Windows 10 environment. If the issue cannot be replicated in this way, then it will be assumed that the issues lie with your computer or internet connection and responsibility for resolution will lie with you.

For XOs undertaking the annual assessment process, the following activities must be successfully completed on the Cunningham Centre online learning platform prior to training attendance:

• an online knowledge quiz
• patient identification and procedure matching in diagnostic imaging training
• radiation protection and safety training
• any additional specific training the endorsed Radiographer identifies as required for any individual XO, based on a review of their radiographic imaging portfolio or feedback from the Radiographic Advisor (RA), e.g. chest radiography module, exposure standardisation module, review of local RSPP.

Participation is observed during the training with assessment results based on performance during the training, review of radiographic imaging portfolio (via PACS or other electronic medium) and feedback from the participant’s local RA or Radiation Safety Officer.

Any XO who does not meet the assessment performance benchmarks will require a supervision agreement to be completed and signed off by their RA and Facility Manager prior to a Certificate of Competency being issued, where appropriate. Supervision agreements are tailored to the training needs of individual XOs and encompass a variety of additional training activities.

Assessment processes to meet regulatory licensing requirements are finalised after the training has been completed. Assessment documentation will be forwarded to the participant, their manager and RA. The Endorsed Radiographer may provide feedback including recommendations for ongoing training and supervision. It is the responsibility of the XO, their RA and their manager to evaluate, action and monitor the progress of these recommendations.

There is a separate fee structure depending on whether an annual assessment process is required for licence renewal.

• Annual training
  This offering is designed for XOs who are attending for refresher training only, i.e. an annual assessment is not required, e.g.:
• trainee XOs attending to build knowledge and skills
• XOs who have been assessed by another Radiographer endorsed by the Radiation Health Unit to conduct XO assessments, but are seeking an opportunity to further extend their knowledge and skills
• interstate XOs who are not required to undertake a regular assessment process.
• Annual training with assessment
  This offering includes the above annual training component plus an assessment facilitated by a Radiation Health Endorsed Radiographer. This option should be chosen by XOs who have not yet obtained a Certificate of Competency to forward to Radiation Health for annual licence renewal.

^ Tier 2 and Tier 3 include GST.

Please refer to the following documents for further information and to confirm your eligibility:

• X-ray Operator Services | Guideline QH-GDL-363:2015
• Reimbursements | Policy QH-POL-214
• Radiation Safety Act 1999 – Application and Licence Fees – ‘Use’ Licences | Policy QH-POL-209

Please refer to our fees and payments page for more detail on our  pricing model and payment options.

The training is delivered via Microsoft Teams and requires active participant engagement. Participants will require access to a PC located in a quiet area with:

• a webcam and microphone
• access to Microsoft Teams
• a reasonable sized monitor to review and comment on radiographic images.

Participants are also required to present a case study from the last 12 months to the group. The case study could be based on an interesting or challenging presentation or pathology.

Participants who have attended for refresher training will be issued with a Statement of Attendance.

Participants who have attended the training and successfully completed all components of assessment will be issued with a Statement of Completion. XOs who meet the minimum performance benchmarks will also be provided with a Radiation Health Unit Certificate of Competency by an Endorsed Radiographer, which is required for annual licence renewal.

Attendance at this training will not automatically result in a Certificate of Competency for licensing purposes. Any participant that does not meet the pre-determined benchmarks will be provided with feedback to allow them to focus on particular areas prior to being re-assessed at a later stage. For this reason, it is recommended that participants contact us at least four months prior to licence expiry, to allow sufficient time for a thorough assessment process.

Participation in this professional development activity may contribute to continuing professional development (CPD) requirements for the purposes of registration and/or professional association membership. Please refer to the specific CPD requirements of your registration board and/or professional association to confirm.

XOs who undertake an assessment with us every year should be emailed three to six months prior to licence expiry with a pre-allocated training date. XOs wishing to change to a different training date, or XOs who have not received a training email offer, should contact the XO Support team at their earliest convenience. Training places are not confirmed until a payment form and online enrolment are submitted.

Other XOs interested in attending training can email us with details of local facility location, licence expiry date and any periods of leave (or other unavailability) within the ensuing three to four months. Depending on availability, XOs may be offered a training place and will be required to complete an online enrolment and submit a completed payment form. If licence expiry will occur prior to available training dates, please contact us to discuss this at your earliest convenience.

Confirmed training places are acknowledged with an email from the XO Support team, which outlines the financial penalty for cancellation or non-attendance.

X-ray Operator Support, Allied Health Education and Training
t. 07 4699 8097
e. X-ray-Operator-Support@health.qld.gov.au

• X-ray Operator Introductory Course