Regional Workshop on National Strategies for Education and Training (E&T) in Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety: Policy Framework and Analysis of E&T Needs 5 - 7 October 2016, Nicosia, Cyprus ALBANIA Initiatives and achievements towards the establishment of a national policy and strategy SESSION 2 Sharing Member States’ experience on establishing a National Strategy Rustem PACI – Radiation Protection Office Brunilda DACI - Institute of Applied Nuclear Physics

Introduction Regulatory Body Establishment and Independence The Radiation Protection Act No. 8025, date 09.11.1995 amended, establishes the: Radiation Protection Commission (RPC) as the Regulatory Body; and the Radiation Protection Office (RPO) as its Executive Body. The Chairman of RPO is Secretary of RPC. The functions, powers and duties of the RPC include: Prepare regulations, and issues guides and Codes of Practice for radiation protection and safety; overseeing enforcement; issuing licenses; technical management of all national and local authorities for immediate enforcement of necessary procedures for mitigation of the effects of nuclear accidents; making recommendations and proposals for the improvement of the radiation protection legislation; cooperating with national and international organizations on radiation protection issues; defining the structure of the RPO; nomination/dismissal of the Chairman of PRO; and cooperation with the State Labor Inspectorate. The functions of the RPO are: preparation of information on licenses (applications, suspension or cancelation) for RPC approval; enforcement; inspection; collection of information and performance of necessary analysis and measurements for radiation protection control; preparation of relevant information, including reports, for Commission meetings. keeps national inventory of sources;

Introduction (RP Infrastructure) Ministry of Health Radiation Protection Commission Authorized Agencies Radiation Protection Office Legislation Licensing Institute of Applied Nuclear Physics Institute of Public health Instrument calibration Personal dosimetry Environment control Waste management Expertise and Training Medical Surveillance Inspection enforcement Medicine Waste facilities Industry Research COUNCIL OF MINISTERS Institute of Radiation Institute of Radiation Protection Expertise and Training

Introduction The national legal and regulatory framework includes requirements for education, training, qualification and competence in radiation protection and safety for all the relevant personnel (e.g. regulatory staff, qualified experts, radiation protection officers, workers), in line with IAEA Safety Standards. Education and training programs are developed and implemented to comply with the above requirements. Law "On Protection from Ionizing Radiation ", No. 8025, date 09.11.1995, Law. 9973, date 28.07.2008 "On some amendments and additions to Law no. 8025, dated 09.11.1995 " On Protection from Ionizing Radiation “ Decision No. 10, date 7.01.2010 of Council of Ministers for the approval of the Regulation "On licensing and inspection of activities with ionizing radiation sources ", Decision No. 543, date 07.7.2010 of Council of Ministers for the approval of the Regulation" On safe handling with ionizing radiation sources", Decision No. 590, date 18.08.2011 of the Council of Ministers for the approval of Regulation “On the protection of workers occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation” Decision No 481, date 25.07.2012 of Council of Minister for the approval of the regulation ”On safety of the public to the exposure caused by ionizing radiation sources”, Decision No. 229, date 20.03.2013 of Council of Ministers “On safety to medical exposures with ionizing radiation sources”, Decision No.1438/6 date 12.04.2011 of Minister of Health on “Program for training of  protection  from ionizing radiation”.

Introduction (IANP) DIRECTOR (NLO) DEPARTMENT OF RADIOMETRY AND RADIOCHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT OF INSTRUMENTAL ANALYTICAL METHODS DEPARTAMENT OF MONITORING NETWORKS ADMINISTRATION

Introduction IANP is a focal point and the main user and provider of nuclear and nuclear related techniques in the country. Conducts research, applications, education and expert training in this field. Provides advice and services to the governmental and other institutions related with nuclear applications, radiological emergency response, radioactive waste management, security of nuclear and radiological facilities, combating illicit trafficking of radioactive materials. Main transporter of radioactive materials and radioactive sources for whole country. At the IANP was constructed and is in operation, since 1998, a centralised facility for management of liquid/solid radioactive wastes, disused solid radioactive sources and temporary storage facility for radioactive waste. According to Decision No. 563 of the Council of Ministers, it is the Albanian Atomic Authority responsible for the promotion of nuclear and related techniques and knowledge in the country.

Introduction There are a large number of institutions and centers that are using ionizing radiation sources, in: -industry, -medicine, -research, -education Moderate use and applications of radioactive sources and radioisotopic methods Consequently the number of employees who use these resources increased. Currently: - ~ 460 employees are working with rad-sources - 12 qualified experts and 6 medical physicists are recognized by RPC - 10 medical physicists graduated from Polytechnic University of Tirana (PUT), FPEME Master Professional.

Introduction Industrial application Medical application Science and education application

Introduction Number and type of activities (licensed by RPC) planned for the current or the next 10 years: a. Industrial Centers for activities with rad-sources cat 1 to 5. b. Medical Centers for activities with rad sources. "Mother Teresa" Hospital University Center, The Radiotherapy Department. (radioactive sealed sources, (cat I and III) "Mother Teresa" Hospital University Center”, Department of Nuclear Medicine (opened rad sources Mo-99/Tc-99m and I-131, Diagnosis and Therapy) "Mother Teresa" Hospital University Center, Department of Radiology (X-ray generators, CT scanners, X-ray, angiography, mammography, C-Arm) Hospital No.5 (Linear Accelerator CT-Simulator and a calibration source Sr-90) Hospital Hygeia (Linear Accelerator, X-ray, mammography and I-131 and Mo-99/Tc-99m) American -Hospital (Department of Nuclear Medicine (I-131, Mo-99/Tc-99m) and the Department of Radiology) c. Scientific center for activities with ionizing radiation sources in science: -IANP (closed and opened rad sources (Cat I, III, IV and X-ray generators).

Moving towards a National Policy/Strategy Two main areas of infrastructures for education and training radiation, transport and waste safety: a) Legal and regulatory framework for education and training; b) Policies and strategies for education and training. National Policy/Strategy is considered as an effective mechanism To build competence in radiation protection and safety To build sustainable radiation safety infrastructure To ensure high levels of training for regulators, radiation users, qualified experts and radiation protection officers To ensure safe working practices and minimized radiation exposures. To optimize national resources To comply with the courses/programme in radiation protection To comply with IAEA Safety Standards

Overview on the National Policy/Strategy An important document on: “Education and Training for Protection and Safety from ionizing radiation and steps for Implementation”, No. 434, Date 14.10.2015, is in force.

Overview on the National Policy/Strategy

Overview on the National Policy/Strategy Goal of the Policy To achieve development in education and training in radiation protection and safety To increase significantly the capacity of all institutions involved in this process To further improve standards for education in this field in compliance with the EU and the IAEA criteria. Overview on the organizations (stakeholders) that were involved The Ministry responsible for Education (now Ministry of Education and Sports) is the main regulatory Authority in Albania regarding Education and Training???. - RPC (Lead organization) - IANP (stakeholders,Training center) - FIMIF PUT (stakeholders, Education for medical physicist) Steering Committee / Working groups - RPC has established a working group for NP&S on ET An analysis of training needs has been done by the group in charge of this duty, on the basis of the information collected. - The Working Group matches the identified education and training needs with the existing national capability for the provision of education and training.

Overview on the National Policy/Strategy Role of Regulatory Authority - The regulatory authority has an important role to play in the establishment of the strategy " to identify the responsibilities of each individual, including higher levels of management, protection and safety of radiation and every individual to be trained and appropriately qualified “ and has to “ensure the preparation of an adequate legal framework, which requires appropriate training for all personnel engaged in activities related to radiation safety and physical security of radiation sources " . RPC in cooperation with relevant ministries will plan the entire program for education and training through the Polytechnic University and the Institute of Applied Nuclear Physics (IANP) as the National Training Center. Role of the Training Centre - Institute of Applied Nuclear Physics is determined by the RPC as the central institution for Training and Testing of all categories and will provide certification to meet EU and the IAEA criteria. - Radiation protection testing of employees is conducted by a joint committee with representatives from IANP and RPO. - Two private institutions (IoR, IRP) cover training only for staff.

Overview on the National Policy/Strategy Categories of personnel concerned - Qualified Expert  - Responsible for radiation protection.   - Employees who use radiation sources.  - Employees of the regulatory body. Minister of Health approved the policy/strategy by a Decision No. 434, Date 14.10.2015.

Overview on the National Policy/Strategy I. Design of the National Education and Training Programme (NETP) Training Program in the field of Radiation Protection No. 1438/6 date 12 April 2011, is approved by RPC, and addresses: - Qualified expert - Responsible of radiation protection (RPO) - Employees who use the ionizing radiation sources - Employees of regulatory body - Institutions to carry out the training of employees - Retraining - Assessment and recognition of training - Syllabus of courses for radiation protection - Recognition of qualified expert

Overview on the National Policy/Strategy National courses Participation at IAEA courses, Fellowships and Scientific Visits (To be expanded)

Overview on the National Policy/Strategy III. Development and Implementation of the National Education and Training Programme (NETP) Basic Criteria for recognition from RPC for Training center: Training program, Text materials Human capacity Facility for lecture and practical Archive New regulations that were developed Medical Physicist, Nr 459/1 date 31 01 2012 Status --- Recognition ---- Criteria

Overview on the National Policy/Strategy The document of NP&S is addressed on: Actual system of Education and Training in the field of radiation protection Institutions (actors) involved Status of safety and radiation protection in education Regulatory framework regarding to education and training requirements Re – training Evaluation and recognition of training Syllabus of courses Education and training Categories of persons which should be trained (4 categories) Institutions carrying out training Challenges Education Implementation of the policy, definition of responsibilities for the implementation of national policy for E&T.

Overview on the National Policy/Strategy Results and Achievements So far the main benefits from the development of the National Policy and Strategy are: Provision for building and maintaining the competence of all parties having responsibilities in relation to the safety of facilities and activities Maintenance of the competence of a sufficient number of suitably qualified and experienced staff Education, training, qualification and competence in protection and safety of all relevant persons Establishment of sustainable education and training infrastructures to achieve the desired level of competence.

Conclusions National Strategy for Education and Training in Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety should be considered as an effective mechanism: - to build sustainable competence in the area in a timely and efficient manner. - to have a more systematic approach to establish sustainable education and training infrastructures, considering the actual education and training needs (present and future) - to strengthen and further develop the legal and regulatory framework for education and training in radiation protection and safety. - It is not a very simple process… - It requires a long time to be designed, formalized and implemented… - The proper analysis of needs at national level and optimizing the available resources are important in determining the success and sustainability of national strategies for E&T. - It is necessary to increase significantly the capacity of all institutions involved in this process, through the creation and improvement of the education system and national courses, suitable for all the people involved in the use and control of ionizing radiation

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