Authority to Refer for Radiological Procedures

Program Overview

Authority to Refer for Radiological Procedures NU6169

Course Fact File

• Code: NU6169
• Duration: September - December
• Teaching Mode: Part-Time
• Fees: €1,100
• Closing Date: 16th August 2025
• Credits: 10
• Start Date: Start date will be confirmed at the start of May

Outline

Module Objective

To enable students to safely and appropriately make referrals for radiological procedures within his/her scope of practice.

Module Content

The indicative content of this module will include:

• Professional accountability and responsibility and the associated legal and ethical aspects encompassing the Professional responsibilities of the nurse referrer when requesting an x-ray for adults/children; the roles and responsibilities of each of the groups involved in the use of ionising radiation; and legislation, guidelines, codes of practice and local rules.
• Ionising radiation and protection; the nature of radiation and its biological effects; the relative dangers of radiation; the three principles of justification, optimisation and diagnostic reference levels.
• Principles of the referral process for radiological procedures; the current guidelines on making the best use of the department of clinical radiology and referral guidelines; scope of practice; working in a multi-disciplinary team to refer for radiological procedures; common referral pathways; and justification of x-rays.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate a systematic and practical understanding of the regulatory framework associated with authority to refer for radiological procedures, including the legislation and professional guidelines supporting safe practice.
• Critically and practically utilise evidence-based knowledge and the skill of patient/service user assessment and consultation to achieve a holistic approach to patient/service user care in referring for radiological procedures in adults/children.
• Demonstrate an understanding of radiological sciences in relation to radiological procedures in adults/children and its implication for patient/service user safety in adults/children.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills and knowledge of multi-disciplinary management in the safe and appropriate use of radiological procedures in adults/children.
• Apply clinical decision making skills in relation to referring for radiological procedures in adults/children within her/his scope of practice.
• Demonstrate the ability to refer for justified radiological procedures in adults/children as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Practicalities

NU6169 Semester 1 Intake Timetable

• Week Commencing: 25th Aug 2025, Delivery: Asynchronous, Unit: Unit 1 - Professional Accountability and Responsibility
• Week Commencing: 8th Sept 2025, Delivery: Asynchronous, Unit: Unit 2 – Legal and Ethical issues
• Week Commencing: 22nd Sept 2025, Delivery: Asynchronous, Unit: Unit 3 - Ionising Radiation
• Week Commencing: 6th Oct 2025, Delivery: Asynchronous, Unit: Unit 4 - Radiation protection
• Week Commencing: 20th Oct 2025, Delivery: Live synchronous session - online, Unit: Unit 5 – Preparation for Clinical Practice – Workshop
• Week Commencing: 20th October, Delivery: Asynchronous, Unit: Unit 6 - Clinical Practicum

Why Choose

To enable students to safely and appropriately prescribe ionizing radiation (x-ray) within his/her scope of practice.

Requirements

Academic Requirements

• Applicants who are practising health care professionals must provide evidence of current registration with the relevant professional regulatory body (e.g. the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (active registration), the Irish Medical Council, or hold active registration on the professional register maintained by the Radiographers Registration Board of CORU, the Health & Social Care Professions Council (or equivalent regulatory body for pharmacists, occupational therapists, podiatrists, speech and language therapists etc.))
• Applicants who are under 23 years of age must satisfy the minimum entry requirements as for the Degrees in Nursing or Midwifery, as set out here
• Admission to the module(s) will be subject to internal university approval processes on the recommendation of the Head of School.

Professional Requirements

• Applicants for NU6169 Authority to Refer for Radiological Procedures must in addition satisfy the following:
  • Have completed a module in patient physical assessment.
  • Have a minimum of 1 year’s recent post registration clinical experience in nursing or radiography/radiation therapy within the last three years or be actively practicing as a medical doctor
  • For nurses and radiographers/radiation therapists, provide evidence of support from an employer by way of a completed site declaration form, signed by the Director of Nursing/ Authorised Nurse Manager, the nominated Clinical Supervisor (Medical Practitioner) or radiography/radiation therapy manager and the Head of Radiology (Consultant Radiologist).

Fees and Costs

The fee for this module is €1,100 which includes the €35.00 application fee.

Program Outline

15 people) (Blended - Face/On-line)

• Module Content:
• Professional accountability and responsibility and the associated legal and ethical aspects encompassing the Professional responsibilities of the nurse referrer when requesting an x-ray for adults/children; the roles and responsibilities of each of the groups involved in the use of ionising radiation; and legislation, guidelines, codes of practice and local rules.
• Ionising radiation and protection; the nature of radiation and its biological effects; the relative dangers of radiation; the three principles of justification, optimisation and diagnostic reference levels.
• Learning Outcomes: On successful completion of this module, students should be able to:
• Critically and practically utilise evidence-based knowledge and the skill of patient/service user assessment and consultation to achieve a holistic approach to patient/service user care in referring for radiological procedures in adults/children.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills and knowledge of multi-disciplinary management in the safe and appropriate use of radiological procedures in adults/children.
• Apply clinical decision making skills in relation to referring for radiological procedures in adults/children within her/his scope of practice.
• Demonstrate the ability to refer for justified radiological procedures in adults/children as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Module Schedule:
• Week commencing 26th August 2024 - Unit 1 (asynchronous)
• Week commencing 9th Sept 2024 - Unit 2 (asynchronous)
• Week commencing 23rd Sept 2024 - Unit 3 (asynchronous)
• Week commencing 7th Oct 2024 - Unit 4 asynchronous
• Live Synchronous Session 21st October - 09.30am-18.00 online - Units 5 & 6

Other:

• Why Choose: To enable students to safely and appropriately prescribe ionizing radiation (x-ray) within his/her scope of practice.