Sr. Safety Officer-Health Physics

Discover Vanderbilt Health : With eight hospitals and over 180 clinics, we are the region’s largest comprehensive academic health system. Vanderbilt Health has a long tradition of providing world-class care to the people of the Mid-South, living out our mission of moving medicine forward through preeminent programs in patient care, education and research. Here you’ll find a spirit of collaboration and a supportive community where your expertise is valued, your knowledge expanded and your uniqueness celebrated. We are committed to fostering an environment where talented, compassionate people are united in bringing the most advanced care to our neighbors throughout the region. Organization: OCRS - Radiation Safety Job Summary: PRIMARY FUNCTION: The primary functions of this position are to provide health physics support for the radiation patient therapy program, lead decontamination of radioactive patient rooms, perform audits of clinical areas for compliance with the VUMC Broadscope License and applicable regulations, deliver radiation safety training, and perform radiation shielding evaluations.  This position is critical to maintaining health physics support for radiation-producing equipment and the use of radioactive materials across the institution.  . MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Manage complex and novel applications of Health Physics to support clinical and research operations, including technical problem-solving and application. Serve as an instructor in the radiation safety training program for radioactive material users.  Provide initial Radiation Safety training, Radiation Safety Orientation, and annual refresher training.  Manage, including reviewing and updating, online training modules related to Radiation Safety. Provide Health Physics support for Radiotherapy patients Respond to Incidents as part of the response team Provide oversight and guidance for the Radioactive Material Users Permit Audits Bioassay Program – Calculate radiation doses to workers resulting from intakes of radioactive material.  Compile an annual summary of the employee radiation doses resulting from intakes of radioactive material.  Investigate intakes of radioactive material exceeding investigation levels and implement corrective actions.  Perform a Hazard Index Calculation (NUREG 1400) for the isotopes used to show that routine bioassays are not required. Instrument Program Technical Oversight – Provide technical oversight as needed to manage the development and implementation of the instrument program, including standard operating procedures for calibrating the various types of radiation detection equipment at VUMC.  Ensure that all equipment is calibrated at the frequency specified in Vanderbilt’s broadscope licenses and certified registrations.  Apply technical acumen to determine future support needs and stay abreast of emerging instrument technology and offerings. Radioactive Effluent Evaluation Program – Manage the program to monitor the release of radioactive material to the sanitary sewer system.  Produce Annual Dose to Public Report Research Protocol Review – Participate as a Health Physics subject matter expert team member to review proposed research and clinical trials and protocols.  Interface with Clinical Health Physics Senior staff to perform initial review of these protocols.  Ensure that applications are complete and the appropriate data is entered into the radiation safety database.  Perform process hazard review of the application.    Manage the Radiation Safety Shielding Program, providing consultation and performing technical calculations to determine appropriate shielding needed and verify installation. Assist in the instruction of the radiation safety course for the nuclear medicine technologist program. Other duties as assigned. Supervisory Responsibilities: Indirect supervision of HP staff, students, and contractors. Budgetary Responsibilities: None. Internal: Frequent contact with all levels of administration, faculty, and staff, including the presentation of information where a detailed explanation is required to obtain cooperation.  Provide training presentations that require communicating detailed, technical information. External: Frequent contact with State regulators, consultants, and vendors. Patient/Student Contact: Frequent contact with patients and students in laboratories. Physical Requirements: Be able to lift 50 lbs.  Working Environment: Frequent areas where potential exposure to biological and infectious agents, hazardous chemicals, and ionizing radiation may occur. Job Specifications: Education/Experience: A bachelor’s degree in physics, health physics, nuclear engineering, or equivalent, plus five years of experience in radiation safety, or a master’s degree in physics, health physics, nuclear engineering, or equivalent, plus two years of experience in radiation safety. Licensure/Certification: Certification by the American Board of Health Physics is strongly preferred.  Candidates eligible for this certification (in process or near completion) will be considered.  Job-related skills: Applicants must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective report writing, training, and consulting. Compensation:  Competitive compensation is commensurate with experience and background.  Full benefits offered by Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Our professional administrative functions include critical supporting roles in information technology and informatics, finance, administration, legal and community affairs, human resources, communications and marketing, development, facilities, and many more. At our growing health system, we support each other and encourage excellence among all who are part of our workforce. High-achieving employees stay at Vanderbilt Health for professional growth, appreciation of benefits, and a sense of community and purpose. Core Accountabilitie