Health Physicist (Radiation Safety)
Summary
This position is located at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston, SC. The primary responsibility is to implement and manage the medical center's Radiation Safety Program.
Qualifications
English Language Proficiency: No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
Basic Educational Requirement: Successfully completion of a bachelor's degree (or higher) in natural science or engineering that included at least 30 semester hours in health physics, engineering, radiological science, chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics and/or calculus.
Specialized Experience Requirement: One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) in the Federal Service that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position and that is typically in or related to the work of this position.
Selective Placement Factor (Screen-Out): Must possess a Radioactive Materials (RAM) License (35.100 - 35.200 - 35.300 - and 35.1000 level classifications) and/or Nuclear Regulatory Commission Form 313A (RSO) documentation.
Duties
Sets up all work and trains in all areas of radiation safety, including but not limited to machine-produced radiation and radioactive materials.
Implements and evaluates tests, procedures, and reporting mechanisms to ensure proper radiation safety measures within the facility.
Consults with facility medical staff and scientists, equipment vendors, and operations personnel to resolve very complex and unprecedented issues arising from clinical uses of radioactivity and radiation-producing equipment, research protocols, new X-ray equipment capabilities, applications, or environments.
Plans and implements a radiation safety program for a clinically complex institution and its satellite clinics, which typically include clinical consultation and/or research functions.
Represents the organization in agency and peer group committees, as well as the affiliated university, to develop new policies and procedures.
Develops and recommends evaluation criteria and guidelines for assessing radiation safety programs.
Communicates extensively with all regulatory agencies (i.e., the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), National Health Physics Program (NHPP), State Radiation Control Program, Joint Commission, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)).
Serves as a contractor officer representative.
Advises medical center administration on all aspects of health physics, including disaster planning for accidents involving radiation exposure or radioactive contamination.
Oversees the use of all radioactive materials and radiation-producing machines within the research and clinical domains, responsible for ensuring the required audits, surveys, and QA evaluations of all radiation-producing equipment utilized across the Medical Center.
Designs, implements, and evaluates strategies to improve radiation program assurance and quality management.
Instructs personnel in the use of monitoring equipment, safe laboratory practices, decontamination methods, and related procedures.
Provides initial education and training to new employees on safety procedures for all personnel using radioactive materials and/or radiation-producing equipment, and continuous training to existing employees, including physicians, nurses, biomedical engineers, technologists, etc.
Evaluates all areas of ionizing radiation use for proper security, shielding integrity, usage, and ventilation in appropriate areas.
Develops, implements, and maintains written policies and procedures appropriate for the monitoring, use, and control of radioactive materials and radiation machines.
Provides expert, comprehensive quality assurance oversight for imaging to a segment of a large, complex biomedical research facility.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule
Monday-Friday
8:00am-4:30pm
Recruitment & Relocation Incentives
Not authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI)
Not approved
Telework
This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.
Designated Drug-Testing Position
Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received.