Health Physicist I - St. Louis, United States - Washington University

Description

Scheduled Hours
40

Position Summary
Works under general oversight on assignments for the Washington University and Medical Center (WU&MC) radiation safety program. Work involves radioactive materials, radiation sources, radiation generating devices, and radioactive and hazardous wastes. The position requires an understanding of the principles and goals of radiation protection, and techniques employed to comply with applicable requirements. The position requires the ability to evaluate information, identify needs, and communicate with users to obtain additional information. Assignments may focus in one or more particular technical areas, but the position is expected to develop a broad base of technical knowledge over time. The position is expected to manage specific project tasks or technical teams under general oversight of a manager responsible for a particular technical area of the radiation safety program. The position may be assigned technical area management or supervisory responsibilities. The ability to interact effectively with a wide variety of individuals, and to communicate technical information clearly and concisely, is expected. This position promotes the use of radioactivity as part of a safe work environment, is involved in the management of the radiation safety program, and helps maintain the school's compliance with Federal, state, and local regulations.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Assignments will be related to one or more technical areas of the radiation safety program. Examples of some technical areas include: user authorizations, human use (clinical and research, nuclear medicine, radiation oncology), research use (animal, in vitro, biological, chemical, physical, engineering), inspections, surveys, cyclotron produced materials (production, distribution, use), imaging, x-ray and fluoroscopy, radiation producing equipment safety, non-ionizing radiation safety, sealed sources and irradiators, instrument calibration, radioactive materials accountability and transportation (ordering, receipt and distribution), user and staff training, radioactive waste management and shipping (collection, processing, disposal), dosimetry and bioassay, ALARA program, decommissioning, release surveys and closeouts, and emergency response.
• Technical assignments will include laboratory and other facility inspections, technical assessments, surveys, monitoring, measurements, sampling, data evaluation and QA, records review and maintenance, procedures development and maintenance, investigations, documentation, and report preparation.
• Project task assignments are usually of short duration and involve planning and obtaining approvals; scheduling resources including staff; coordinating, directing and monitoring the conduct of the work; communicating progress to supervisor and management; identifying problems or issues and seeking guidance and resolution through supervisor and management; interacting with users and their staff and management with the involvement of RS management as appropriate, assembling data and compiling reports, arranging for waste management; and supporting cost recovery as needed.
• Technical team leader assignments are usually of a long-term nature and involve the same kinds of activities listed for project task assignments. In addition, a team leader has responsibilities for team meetings and records, the schedule and assignments among team members, and promoting improvements to procedures and program elements relevant to the work of the team.
• Specific technical assignment categories indicative of this skill and experience level for Human-Use Radioactive Materials (HU-RAM) program support may include: patient room preparation; patient room release surveys; HU-RAM area dose evaluation; HU-RAM audits and inspections; HU-RAM inventory and sealed-source leak tests; inpatient control; patient release evaluation; HU-RAM incident and medical event investigation; xenon airborne and trap measurements; dose calibrator QA and calibrations; ALARA, personnel exposure, and declared pregnant worker investigation; internal dose evaluation; skin dose calculation; shielding calculation and design; surveys of HU-radiation producing equipment, including radiographic, fluoroscopic, DXA, or CT equipment for human use; human-use authorized user preparation;
• Specific technical assignment categories indicative of this skill and experience level for Non-Human-Use RAM program support may include: RAM package receiving and shipping; survey instrument calibrations; well-counter calibrations and QA; RS laboratory instrumentation QA; MCA gamma spectrometry; volatile RAM (Iodine, Tritium, etc.) airborne release evaluations; drain disposal and sewage release evaluation; Non-Human-Use Radioactive Materials (NHU-RAM) area dose evaluation; NHU-RAM authorized user preparation; QA review, and approval recommendation; NHU-RAM area dosimetry and posting evaluations; NHU-RAM inventory and sealed-source leak tests; NHU-RAM incident response and evaluation; animal protocol and questionnaire evaluations; alpha/beta, alpha and neutron surveys, measurements, and evaluations; tritium surveys, measurements, and evaluations; surveys of NHU-radiation producing equipment, including x-ray irradiators, cabinet x-rays, radiographic, fluoroscopic, DXA, or CT equipment for non-human-use;
• Response to radiation incidents and emergencies - carry emergency cell phone, initial response to RAM incident or emergency, decontamination and survey support; coordination with Laboratory Contact, Authorized User, laboratory staff, prepare incident report; conduct radiation event investigations; emergency response planning, training, on-site coordination, response actions, surveys, and decontamination;
• Information Technology: assist with maintaining radiation safety specific content on the EHS website and the EHS Assist Database;
• Training: prepare new course materials, update existing courses, conduct training sessions, proctor Radiation Safety Exams;
• Cyclotron facility, cyclotron-produced material distribution systems and PET-use laboratory inspections, surveys, incident response, radiation safety evaluations and support;
• Waste management: prepare waste manifest for offsite disposal, evaluate alternative disposal options, ensure regulatory compliance by brokers and waste processing facilities, maintain complete records to show compliance, create reports documenting compliance with airborne and sanitary sewer releases.
• Laser Safety: provide expertise for the safe use of lasers including working knowledge of ANSI Z136 applicable standards, perform laser hazard analyses, provide support and management of the WU&WUMC laser safety program.
• Be able to carry out duties and responsibilities of Radiation Safety Specialists.
• Other duties as assigned

Working Conditions

• Work assignments occur in laboratory and health care environments and waste management facilities where infectious, hazardous, and radioactive materials are used, stored, and/or disposed.
• Must be physically able to walk to many locations each day and have the dexterity to survey fairly inaccessible locations.
• Will need to be able to lift and move 50 pound containers, and carry packages or survey instruments.
• Will be required to wear radiation dosimeters, and bioassay may be required using radiation monitoring measurements and analysis of bioassay samples.
• May need to wear personal protective equipment such as coveralls, laboratory coat, safety glasses, gloves, booties, and a respirator, as required.
• Will be required to have at least a Class E driver's license (e.g., current IL driver's license or MO "chauffeur's" license).
• May be required to successfully complete DOT HM126f training if assignments include shipping of radioactive material or waste.
• May be required to obtain a commercial driver's license with hazardous materials endorsement if assignments include waste transport, and will then be required to participate in the random drug and alcohol testing program and periodic physical examination associated with maintaining the commercial driver's license.
• Will be required to successfully pass a criminal background evaluation, including FBI fingerprint background check, to meet radioactive material security program requirements.
• Employee must take part in assigned training, and demonstrate understanding and active participation in WU&MC compliance programs with respect to regulatory requirements and Washington University policies.
• Work involves exposure to ionizing radiation and requires individual commitment to maintaining doses to self and others at levels that are as low as reasonably achievable.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience under an NRC or Agreement State broad-scope license.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively interact with a wide variety of individuals, and communicate technical information clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to manage one or more technical areas of the radiation safety program, including staff effort, budget, schedule and technical quality.
• Knowledge of applicable regulations, radiation safety concepts, procedures, methods and program goals. Ability to read, understand and assist in interpreting regulatory language.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge and mathematical and computational ability necessary for health physics evaluations, such as radioactive decay and in-growth, neutron activation, cyclotron production, internal and external dosimetry, effluent release and dispersion, radioactivity measurements and monitoring, shielding, and the like.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a radiation science or engineering field with five years relevant experience in increasingly responsible positions in radiation safety compliance programs.
• Master's degree in a radiation science or engineering field with specific class work and training in radiation safety may be substituted.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Competence with Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), email, voice messaging, paging and typical office technology, database applications, and HTML/web applications is expected.

Grade
G14

Salary Range
$73, $125,900.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Want to Live Near Your Work and/or improve your commute? Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees. We also offer a forgivable home loan of up to $12,500 for closing costs and a down payment for homes in eligible neighborhoods.
• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We've got you covered.
• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

For policies, detailed benefits, and eligibility, please visit:

EEO/AA Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University's policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment - fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.