X-ray Operator Course

X-ray operators (XROs) have proven to be highly effective in delivering medical imaging services in otherwise under-serviced rural and remote locations, contributing to accessible health care for all Western Australians.
X-ray operators offer front-line services to people in rural areas where distance and isolation are challenges.
The x-ray operator course is approved by the WA Radiological Council, a statutory authority of the Government of WA.

The course comprises of three key components:
1. Online learning
2. On-campus interactive workshops
3. Assessment activities

Course dates

Wednesday 29 May 2024 to Friday 31 May 2024 (3 days)

Wednesday 20 November 2024 to Friday 22 November 2024 (3 days)

Course dates are subject to change. The University reserves the right to cancel a course if deemed necessary.

Course learning objectives

Upon successful completion of the x-ray operator course, you will be able to:

Recognise and explain the scope of practice and obligations of a Western Australian certified x-ray operator.
Use mobile x-ray equipment for safe and effective plain x-ray examinations of the chest and extremities.

Course options and eligibility

X-ray operator course: Registered or enrolled nurses and medical practitioners are eligible for this course. Proof of qualification and current Ahpra registration must be provided with your application.
Three yearly assessment: Only x-ray operators approved by the Radiological Council are eligible for this assessment. Applicants must provide a copy of their x-ray operator course certificate with their application.
Approved radiographer status: Only registered radiographers are eligible for this option. In order to obtain the approved radiographer status issued by the Radiological Council of WA, you will be required to participate in teaching some of the components of the course.

X-ray operator course essentials

In order to fully participate in the x-ray operator course, you must have internet and computer access to complete the pre-course modules. A laptop or tablet during your contact hours is required as no printed resources will be provided. A hard copy of the reference manual will be provided to you at registration in the first face-to-face workshop.

X-ray operator course structure

Online learning component

Participants will receive a login to an Online Learning platform website. This site will contain the online learning activities. Participants are required to work their way through the structured activities over a period of 4 weeks. Online course material is presented in four modules and each module requires participants to complete and pass a short assessment before they are able to progress to the next module. All four assessments need to be successfully completed prior to the participant attending the face-to-face component of the course. This ensures that every participant is suitably prepared with the theoretical foundation for the practical application.

On-campus interactive component

Having successfully completed the online learning component, participants then attend three days of face-to-face, interactive workshops. The primary purpose and emphasis is on practical application and assessment of ability.

Participants will have access to Curtin University’s medical imaging facilities for the purpose of completing structured practical exercises. Activities include practical experience in equipment operation and maintenance, radiographic positioning and viewing of radiographs, as well as question and answer sessions. These activities ensure that participants have sufficient opportunity to learn relevant practical skills, to practice them, and to be assessed for satisfactory ability.

Assessment

On the final day of the on-campus component, participants will undertake three assessments. These include an image processing assessment, a practical skills assessment, and a written assessment (including all work covered in online modules and face-to-face sessions). To successfully complete the x-ray operators course, participants must demonstrate satisfactory performance in all three assessments.

Course duration

The complete duration of the course is 5 weeks. It is expected that the participants will need to spend approximately 4 to 6 hours a week for 4 weeks on the online learning component of the course, prior to attending the on-campus workshops. The workshops consist of two 7 hour days in learning sessions. Assessments will take place on the final day.

Course completion

To successfully complete the x-ray operator course, participants are required to participate in all components of the course and achieve a pass mark in all assessments.
On completion of the x-ray operator course, the Radiological Council will issue eligible persons with an x-ray operator certificate that permits them to operate mobile x-ray machines to perform chest and extremity radiography at appropriately registered remote and rural locations in WA.
Once the Radiological Council of WA has issued approval, all x-ray operators employed by WACHS have access to approved radiographers, who act as their mentor/supervisor.

Course cost

Available course options:
X-ray operator course: $2,200 plus GST
X-ray operator 3-yearly Assessment: $335 plus GST
Approved Radiographer Status: No cost

The cost includes course materials and a light lunch each day.

Full payment must be made prior to the application deadline to secure your place. If confirmation of full payment is not received by the application deadline, the place will be reallocated to applicants on the waiting list.

Payment receipts must be emailed to cmsenquiries@curtin.edu.au.

Payment can be made online using a credit or debit card on the Curtin University ePay system, where a tax receipt will be issued once the transaction has been completed. Further payment information will be provided upon application.

Cancellation of paid places

Refunds: A cancellation fee to cover expenses will apply if a cancellation is requested less than six weeks prior to commencement of the course. Please refer to the application form for specific cancellation fee details.

No fee applies if cancellation is requested more than 6 weeks prior to commencement of the course.

Swapping: A request to swap a confirmed participant will not be considered after the application deadline. Any request to swap a confirmed participant prior to the application deadline may be considered.

Transferring: A request to transfer a paid place to another course date will not be considered. In this instance, a refund can be given minus the cancellation fee outlined on the application form. The applicant will need to submit a new application form including required documents, requesting the new preferred course date.

Additional information for applicants and employers

Western Australia Country Health Service (WACHS) applicants

WACHS employees seeking to become x-ray operators are encouraged to seek approval from their Health Service prior to applying to enrol in the course. WACHS staff perform x-ray operator duties in line with relevant WACHS Policies and Procedures.

Applications from private organisations

Unless approval has already been provided by the Radiological Council of WA for the x-ray operator service at a given location, written permission needs to be sought from the Radiological Council and submitted with the application.

Applications from other qualified health professionals (i.e. Paramedics etc)

Other qualified health professionals may be considered for attendance on the course. However, unless approval has already been provided by the Radiological Council for the x-ray operator service at a given location, written permission needs to be sought from the Radiological Council of WA and submitted with the application.

X-ray operator licensing outside of WA

Please be aware that approval as an x-ray operator in WA does not automatically allow operators to use mobile x-ray machines or any other x-ray equipment outside of WA.

If you are interested in applying for this course from outside of WA, please note that each state has its own requirements and you will need to seek advice from your jurisdiction regarding their acceptance of the Curtin University x-ray operators course.

X-ray operators who will be operating at facilities in international waters are regulated by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). ARPANSA should be contacted with regard to their requirements for x-ray operator sites.

The contact details for each jurisdiction’s regulator can be accessed at the ARPANSA website.