Health Physicist I - Office of Environmental Health & Safety

Scheduled Hours

40

Position Summary

Works under general oversight on assignments for the Washington University and Washington University School of Medicine (WU&WUSM) radiation safety program 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, large magnets, lasers, etc. 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

• Assignments will be related to one or more technical areas of the radiation safety program.  Examples of some technical areas include: user authorizations, medical use (clinical and research, nuclear medicine, interventional radiology, radiation oncology), research use (animal, human, in vitro, biological, chemical, physical, engineering), inspections, surveys, cyclotron produced materials (production, distribution, use), imaging, x-ray and fluoroscopy, 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 assessment 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; fumehood testing and evaluations; 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 procedure management in the EPIC system, package receipt and assay, post-procedure surveys, and waste management.

• Specific technical measurement 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 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.

• Cyclotron facility, cyclotron-produced material distribution systems and PET-use laboratory inspections, surveys, incident response, radiation safety evaluations and support.

• Training: prepare new course materials, update existing courses, conduct training sessions, proctor Radiation Safety Exams.

• Waste management: prepare waste manifest for offsite disposal; Review of dosimeter vendor reports for overexposures or abnormalities and discuss findings with applicable groups and Committees.

• Ability to carry out duties and responsibilities of Radiation Safety Specialists.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office environment
• Requires extensive safety training
• Exposure to chemicals
• Requires protective devices
• Handling of radioactive material
• Ability to travel to various on- and off-campus locations

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at desk or table
• Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement

Equipment

• Office equipment
• Lab/research equipment

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.

Certifications/Professional Licenses:

No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Relevant Experience (5 Years)

Skills:

Computer Literacy, Database Application Software, Email Software, Microsoft Office, Voice Communications, Web Applications

Driver's License:

A driver's license and good driving record are required for this position.

More About This Job

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience under an NRC or Agreement State broad-scope license is preferred.

• 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).  

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

Master's degree

Certifications/Professional Licenses:

Administrative & Clinical Medical Assistant - Certified Health Professionals (CHP), Administrative Medical Assistant - Certified Health Professionals (CHP), Certified Nuclear Medicine Technology (CNMT) - Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB), Clinical Medical Assistant - Certified Health Professionals (CHP), Computed Tomography Certification (CT) - Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB), Diagnostic Medical Physics - American Board of Radiology, Diagnostic Radiology-Neuroradiology - American Board of Radiology, EKG Technician - Certified Health Professionals (CHP), Medical Billing and Coding Professional - Certified Health Professionals (CHP), Nuclear Cardiology Technologist Certification (NCT) - Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB), Patient Care Technician - Certified Health Professionals (CHP), Phlebotomy Technician - Certified Health Professionals (CHP), Positron Emission Technology Certification (PET) - Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB), Qualified Expert (QE) in Radiation Safety (MRCP) - Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services, Radiation Safety Certification (RS) - Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB)

Work Experience:

No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Skills:

Analytical Analysis, Analytical Thinking, Code of Federal Regulations, Cross-Team Collaboration, Cyclotrons, Dosimetry, Effective Written Communication, Effluent Monitoring, Facilitated Communication, Hazardous Materials Response, Hazardous Materials Training, Health Physics, Health Safety Regulations, Mathematical Computation, Neutron Activation Analysis, Oral Communications, Project Tasks, Radiation Measurement, Radiation Safety, Radioactive Material Handling, Regulatory Compliance, Regulatory Documents

Grade

G14

Salary Range

Base pay is commensurate with experience.

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 CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

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.

• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.

• 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 Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. 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, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.