Health Physicist III - Office of Environmental Health & Safety

Position Summary
Works independently in technical areas of Washington University and Washington University School of Medicine and for other contracted organizations within and affiliated with the Washington University School of Medicine. Work involves radioactive materials, radiation sources, radiation generating devices, radioactive and hazardous wastes, high-field magnets, lasers, etc.
The position requires comprehensive 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. The position requires a broad base of technical knowledge related to the use of radiation, regulatory requirements, radiation safety technology, and NRC broad-scope license compliance. Development of procedures and programs of the radiation safety program is expected, and assignments may be focused in one or more particular technical areas. The position requires a strong technical background, the ability to contribute to the development of the radiation safety program, experience in interpreting regulatory requirements and identifying needed actions or responses, and mature problem solving and investigation skills relative to evaluating incidents and events.
The position requires demonstrated skills to manage and supervise personnel, as well as manage physical resources in one or more technical areas in order to accomplish project tasks. The ability to interact effectively with a wide variety of individuals, and to communicate technical information clearly and concisely, is essential. 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 compliance with Federal, state, and local regulations.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Manages and supervisors Radiation Safety Specialists, Health Physicists I and Health Physicists II. May be assigned staff for supervision, including training, professional development, career planning
• and providing a progression of assignments, coaching, annual reviews, disciplinary action, assistance with technical questions, and recommendations to the Radiation Safety Officer for salary adjustments.
• Manages assignments that will be related to one or more technical areas of the radiation safety program.  Examples of some technical areas include: user authorizations for human-use (clinical and research, nuclear medicine, radiation oncology and interventional radiology) and non-human-use (animal, in vitro, biological, chemical, physical, engineering); laboratory and other facility inspections, technical assessments, surveys, monitoring, measurements, sampling, data evaluation and QA; 10CFR Part 19, 20 & 35 audits of human-use areas; records review and records maintenance; procedures development and maintenance; investigations, documentation, and report preparation; cyclotron produced materials and radiopharmacy (production, distribution, use); instrument calibration; radiation producing equipment including x-ray, fluoroscopy and CT; non-ionizing radiation safety; sealed sources and irradiators; radioactive materials accountability and transportation (ordering, receipt and distribution); user and staff training; radioactive waste management and shipping (collection, processing, disposal); dosimetry, bioassay, and ALARA program; decommissioning, release surveys and closeouts; radiation incident and emergency response, including Varskin dose calculations; and radiation safety program development, including evaluation of new radiation uses, technologies, and procedures; operation and knowledge of security requirements surrounding gamma irradiators and other Part 37 devices .
• Manages 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 program, 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; clinical participation in Y-90 Microsphere procedures, specifically patient release, room release, and final activity administered calculations.
• Manages project task assignments of sustained 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.
• Manages technical team leader assignments that are usually of a long-term nature and involve the same kinds of activities listed for project task assignments. Manages 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.
• Responds to radiation incidents and emergencies – carries 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.
• Cyclotron facility/radiopharmacy, cyclotron-produced material distribution systems and PET-use laboratory inspections, surveys, incident response, radiation safety evaluations and support.
• Manages the training such as prepares new course materials, updates existing courses, conducts training sessions, proctors Radiation Safety Exams.
• Manages waste management such as prepares waste manifest for offsite disposal, evaluates alternative disposal options, ensures regulatory compliance by brokers and waste processing facilities, and maintains complete records to show compliance, creates reports documenting compliance with airborne and sanitary sewer releases.
• Manages laser safety such as provides expertise for the safe use of lasers including working knowledge of ANSI Z136 applicable standards, performs laser hazard analyses, may provide support and / or management of the WU&WUSM laser safety program.
• Manages large magnet safety such as provides expertise for the safe use of large magnets, performs magnet hazard analyses and vault design, may provide support and / or management of the WU&WUMC magnet safety program.
• Assists in NRC license amendments, renewal, state registration, and regulatory compliance.
• Carries out duties and responsibilities of Radiation Safety Specialists, Health Physicists I, and Health Physicists II.
• May be listed on a Broadscope Full-Use Medical License or a Cyclotron Production License as an Associate or Temporary RSO.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to demonstrate analytical reasoning.
• Ability to perform mathematical computations.
• Experience under an NRC or Agreement State broad-scope medical-use license.
• Board Certified by NMTCB – NMT, NMTCB-CT, NMTCB-NCT, NMTCB-RS or NMTCB-PET
• DABR, CHP.
• 40-hour Radiation Safety Officer Training.
• 40-hour Medical Radiation Safety Officer Training.
• Laser Officer Safety Training.
• Ability to serve as a qualified expert (QE), and supervise other QE’s, for the Washington University radiation producing equipment program registration as issued by the Missouri Radiation Control Program (MRCP). 
• Demonstrated ability to interact with a wide variety of individuals, including senior management, medical school faculty and staff, members of the Radiation Safety Committee, and hospital physicians and communicate technical information clearly and concisely verbally and in writing; and effectively direct the activities of individuals and groups involved in the radiation safety program.
• Demonstrated ability to estimate labor, resources, and budget requirements for self and assigned staff for specific project tasks;
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage one or more technical areas of the radiation safety program, including staff effort, budget, schedule and technical quality.
• Demonstrated knowledge of regulations and regulatory compliance strategies; ability to apply these in developing and justifying institutional requirements and in implementing procedures for the radiation safety program.
• 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

• Master’s degree in a radiation science or engineering field with seven (7) years relevant experience in increasingly responsible positions in radiation safety compliance programs, including at least two (2) years of project or task management and two (2) years of supervisory experience or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Certification such as the ABHP CHP, or equivalent, may be substituted.
• Competence with Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), email, voice messaging, paging and typical office technology, database applications, and HTML/web applications. 

Grade
G16

Salary Range
$94,100.00 - $165,600.00 / 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.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ .

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [email protected]  or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 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: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/

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.