Preferred Qualifications:

Master's degree in Physical Science, Engineering or related field. Five (5) years of experience in radiation safety, including developing and/or implementing radiation safety programs in an academic or healthcare setting. Experience implementing laser safety programs. Experience developing policies, procedures and training programs. Experience performing laser system classifications, hazard evaluations, and control measures on various classes of laser systems. Experience conducting risk assessments and developing control activities. Prior experience in the implementation of radiation safety monitoring and controls in Nuclear Medicine, Radiology, Radiation Oncology, or related clinical settings. National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologist Registration. American Board of Health Physics Health Physicist Certification. Board of Laser Safety Laser Safety Officer Certification. Board of Laser Safety Medical Laser Safety Officer Certification.

Brief Description of Duties:

The Hospital Radiation Safety Associate will also serve as the Laser Safety Officer and will promote and support excellence in the science and practice of ionizing radiation and laser protection and safety. The Hospital Radiation Safety Associate/Laser Safety Officer (HRSA/LSO) works at heath care facilities where ionizing radiation is generated and radionuclides are used for diagnostic, interventional and therapy procedures, and laser radiation is produced for various medical procedures. The HRSA/LSO will perform a variety of tasks, including but not limited to conducting hazard evaluations, implementing control measures, developing and implementing policies, procedures and training, performing and inspections, maintaining records and reporting on program activities and status.

• Hazard Classification - ensure all health care laser systems (HCLS) have been labeled by the manufacturer to indicate the appropriate hazard classification in accordance with federal regulations and ANSI Z136.3.
• Hazard Evaluation - ensure hazard evaluations of all laser treatment controlled areas (LTCAs) are performed prior to laser operations.
• Hazard Response - inform all users of any identified imminent danger from a laser hazard, control use accordingly and suggest hazard mitigation strategies.
• Control Measures - ensure control measures as prescribed by the HCLS manufacturer and/or determined by hazard evaluations are in effect, recommend or approve substitute or alternate control measures when the primary ones are not feasible or practical, and periodically evaluate the effectiveness of selected controls.
• Procedure Development, Review, and Approvals - establish and enforce policies and procedures (P&Ps) for HCLS use, including, maintenance, service, and procedural checklists and any laser safety related items reflected in Hospital P&Ps used by operating personnel to operate lenses.
• Protective Equipment - ensure that appropriate protective equipment is available, in good working order, and is used correctly.
• Signs and Labels - ensure that the wording on area signs and equipment labels are in accordance with ANSI Z136.3.
• Facilities and Equipment - approve HCLS installations and equipment prior to use to ensure that it is consistent with the manufacturer's safety recommendations and labeling contained in user manuals and as recommended by ANSI Z136.3. Review modifications of existing facilities or HCLS equipment to ensure compliance with FDA regulations. Perform and document hazard evaluations of modified equipment. Ensure that periodic maintenance and service is carried out by qualified personnel, and that records of this maintenance and service are maintained.
• Distribute and collect personnel dosimeter monitors. Ensure personnel monitors are sent for processing to commercial vendor in a timely manner. Ensure results of radiation exposure reports are distributed.
• Maintain personnel exposure and biossay records. Determine need for bioassays.
• Notify individuals and their supervisors of exposures approaching or exceeding initial ALARA levels and maintain documentation of notifications. Recommend appropriate remedial actions to reduce personnel exposure and documenting recommendations.
• Investigate personnel exposure over ALARA investigation thresholds. Document findings and maintain investigation documentation.
• Prepare timely quarterly ALARA statistics and investigational report summaries for presentation to the University Hospital Radiation Safety Committee (UHRSC) and the University Radiation Protection Committee (URPC).
• Continually improve the personnel monitoring program by implementing process improvements. Draft and implement policies/procedures as necessary and implement/deliver staff training as necessary.
• Provide general surveillance over all activities involving radioactive material, including routine monitoring and special surveys of all areas in which radioactive material is used.
• Conduct inspections of radiation use areas as well as monitoring of administration of diagnostic and therapeutic applications of radioactive materials and ionizing radiation.
• Develop, implement and deliver radiation safety training to radiation workers, ancillary staff, patients, and family members.
• Develop, implement and deliver training in the proper use of radioactive material prior to use.
• Provide annually (refresher training), and as required by changes in procedures, equipment, regulations, etc.
• Provide detailed consultative service to the attending physicians who handle radioactive materials or use x-ray equipment.
• Develop, implement, and deliver training on the proper use, handling, and processing of personnel dosimetry and on general personnel monitoring program requirements.
• Continually improve the training program by implementing process improvements. Draft and implement policies/procedures as necessary and implement/deliver staff training as necessary.
• Respond to emergency spills of radioactivity as well as other off-normal incident calls as necessary.
• Identify medical events and participate in event review and deep dives.
• Participate in the off-hours on-call/recall rotation.
• Other duties or projects as assigned as appropriate to rank and departmental mission.