National Survey of RPSs working in Healthcare

The BIR Radiation Safety SIG are conducting a national survey of RPSs working in healthcare, aiming to get a snapshot of the workforce and an understanding of how their roles are interpreted by employers and the level of support and resources they have. We would like to hear from as many RPSs as possible who work in healthcare in the UK, and would encourage others who work with RPSs to make them aware of this survey.

Please complete this survey for your role as an RPS, not for any other roles that you might have. For example, if you are an RPS and also manager for an area, please answer in a way that reflects your work as an RPS, not other duties that you take on as an area manager.

Your response and all data will be anonymous, and any recommendations that the BIR makes as a result of this survey will not include references that could be traced back to any individual.

It should take around 5 minutes to complete this survey. It is possible to skip questions if you would like to. The closing date is Friday 24th October. By completing the survey, you will be entered into a prize draw to receive a free BIR video course.
1.Please enter your email address if you wish to be entered into the prize draw.
2.What region do you work in?
3.What type of employer do you have? Tick all that apply.
4.Where is your main workplace?
5.What is your professional background?
6.What is your job title?
7.What modality are you RPS for? Click all that apply.
8.What is your current NHS band, if applicable? If N/A, what is your current annual salary pre-tax?
9.What band/salary did you have when you first became an RPS?
10.Did your appointment as an RPS come with a salary uplift, e.g. band promotion? If so, what was the step (e.g. B5 to B6)?
11.What year did you become an RPS?
12.What training have you had to work as an RPS? Please list the years and providers if possible. E.g. initial training 2021 (SW RPS course), refresher training 2024 (Southampton online course)
13.Do you expect to stop being an RPS within the next year?
14.If applicable, why are you stopping being an RPS? Tick all that apply.
15.On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is "not at all" and 5 is "completely", to what extent do you think the training you received to become an RPS was adequate?
1
5
16.Is there further training/support that you would find beneficial? Tick all that apply.
17.What are the main challenges you face as an RPS? Tick all that apply.
18.Do you have allocated time for your RPS duties?
19.If yes, roughly how much?
20.Roughly how much time, on average, do you actually spend on your RPS duties?
21.What do you consider to be your role as an RPS?
22.On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is "not at all" and 5 is "completely", how well do you feel supported by your immediate line manager in your role as an RPS?
1
5
23.On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is "not at all" and 5 is "completely", how well do you feel supported by your employer as a whole in your role as an RPS?
1
5
24.On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is "not at all" and 5 is "completely", how well do you feel supported by your colleagues and other staff in your role as an RPS?
1
5
25.On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is "not at all" and 5 is "completely", do you consider that there is adequate RPS cover for your area?
1
5
26.As an RPS, has your employer given you any additional tasks that fall under IRR17? Tick all that apply.
27.As an RPS, has your employer given you any additional tasks that fall under IRMER17? Tick all that apply.
28.As an RPS, has your employer given you any additional tasks that fall under the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR)?
29.As an RPS, has your employer given you any additional tasks that fall under general management?
30.On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is "not at all" and 5 is "completely", to what extent do you agree with the following statement: I feel confident that everyone who performs regular duties in the controlled area that I supervise has had the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the Local Rules.
1
5
31.On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is "not at all" and 5 is "completely", to what extent do you agre with the following statement: I know the process for allowing outside workers into the controlled area that I supervise.
1
5
32.On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is "not at all" and 5 is "completely", to what extent do you agree with the following statement: I know the steps to take immediately following an incident involving radiation exposure to a member of staff.
1
5
33.On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is "not at all" and 5 is "completely", to what extent to do you agree with the following statement: I feel able to escalate concerns around radiation safety in the area that I am responsible for.
1
5
34.Is there anything else that would make your work as an RPS easier?
35.Any other comments?
Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.