Re: Principal Investigators

[farmerr@ccmail.orst.edu (Rainier Farmer)]

     I found it interesting that the Authorized User term at Indiana Univ. 
     Med Ctr meant one thing (i.e. anyone authorized to use radioactive 
     materials) while it meant the equivalent of PI at some Univ. 
     California schools.  We had the same debate at Oregon State Univ., and 
     decided to keep the term "Program Director" for the individual 
     (usually faculty member) holding the internal permit (we call it  
     Radiation Use Authorization, same as UC-Irvine).  I think the idea is 
     to use a term that is not used in other circles, such as PI.
     
     Rainier Farmer
     Radiation Safety Officer
     Oregon State University
     124 Radiation Center
     Corvallis, OR 97331-5904
     (541) 737-7080
     (541) 737-0480 FAX
     farmerr@ccmail.orst.edu 



      


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Principal Investigators
Author:  "Richard; Mack L" <mrichar@iupui.edu> at Internet_Gateway
Date:    10/6/98 3:44 PM


Dear Denis & Other Interested Radsafers:
     
A number of years ago, we changed the term "Principal Investigator (or PI)" 
to "Permit Holder (or PH)" for the very reason stated by a couple of other 
RSOs.  The research community sees the PI as the individual holding the 
purse strings for one or more research groups.  Our definition was that the 
PI (now called the PH) is the individual responsible for radiation safety 
within a given research group.  This was a source of constant confusion.
     
The Permit Holder (PH) term is not shared by any others at the university. 
To qualify as a PH, one must have faculty or professional status (i.e., not 
a technician) and previous experience (usually at least 1 year) utilizing 
radioactive materials.  Credentials of all prospective PHs are reviewed by 
the radiation safety staff and radiation safety committee.  Prospective PHs 
who lack appropriate training and/or experience may be required to attend 
our Radiation Safety Course (about 9 lecture hours plus an exam) and solicit 
a fully authorized PH (who must agree in writing) to serve as a Co-PH for a 
time period established by the committee.
     
All prospective radionuclide users (we call them Authorized Users or AUs), 
including PHs are initially required to attend our radiation safety 
orientation program (about 2 hours in length).  If  prospective AUs or PHs 
have previous training and experience, they may attempt to "test out" of the 
aforementioned 10 hour course.  If they lack such training and experience or 
fail to achieve at least 85% on the test, they are required to attend the 
longer course.  This procedure has worked quite well for a number of years.
     
Anyone with questions or comments can feel free to contact me.
     
Regards,
     
Mack L. Richard, M.S.
Radiation Safety Officer - Ind. Univ. Medical Center 
Phone #: (317) 274-0330   Fax #: (317) 274-2332 
E-Mail Address:  mrichar@iupui.edu
     
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