Can a licensee, if appropriate to its operations, appoint deputy radiation safety officers (RSOs) for particular medical uses?
Nothing in the regulations prohibits a licensee from appointing deputy RSOs; however, as provided in 10 CFR 35.24(b), at any given time, only one RSO can be designated by a licensee, and that individual must be identified on the license. A licensee can, through its appointed RSO (who has responsibility for implementing the licensee’s radiation protection program), assign or delegate radiation safety program tasks and duties, but not responsibilities, associated with particular medical uses, as approved under its license, to individuals that can be designated in any way the licensee chooses, including as deputy RSOs. These individuals can, but need not, be authorized users in the particular medical uses. However, the single RSO identified on the license retains overall responsibility for implementing the total radiation protection program. Additionally, as necessary, the licensee may appoint a temporary RSO or temporary RSOs to perform the functions of an RSO, as provided for in 10 CFR
