Health Physicist III-Radiation Safety, Full-time Days

Benefits

• $10,000 Tuition Reimbursement per year ($5,700 part-time)
• $10,000 Student Loan Repayment ($5,000 part-time)
• $1,000 Professional Development per year ($500 part-time)
• $250 Wellbeing Fund per year($125 for part-time)
• Matching 401(k)
• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Annual Employee Salary Increase and Incentive Bonus
• Paid time off and Holiday pay

Northwestern Medicine is powered by a community of colleagues who are purpose-driven and committed to our mission to deliver world-class care. Here, you'll work alongside some of the best clinical talent in the nation leading the way in medical innovation and breakthrough research with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

We recognize where you've been, and we support where you're headed. We celebrate diverse perspectives and experiences, which fuel our commitment to equity and culture of service.

Grow your career with comprehensive training and development opportunities, mentorship programs, educational support and student loan repayment.

• Create the life you envision for yourself with flexible work options, a Reimbursable Well-Being Fund and a Total Rewards package that support your physical, mental, emotional and financial well-being.
• Make a difference through volunteer opportunities we offer in local communities and drive inclusive change through our workforce-led resource groups.

From discovery to delivery, come help us shape the future of medicine.

Description

The  Health Physicist III  reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Health Physicist III, under the direction of the Radiation Safety Officer, assists in the development, implementation, coordination, evaluation and continuous improvement of the radiation and laser safety programs.  Responsibilities include general surveillance of overall activities and areas in which radioactive materials/radiation sources and laser equipment are used, supporting compliance with rules and regulations, authorized users and research projects approval as specified by the Radiation Safety Officer or Radiation Safety Committee, consultation on radiation protection with department radiation safety liaisons, determination of need and evaluation of personnel monitoring, and implementation of instructional programs on safe procedures in the use of radiation sources.

Responsibilities:

• Under the direction of the Radiation Safety Officer, the Health Physicist III will assist in the design, implementation and ongoing maintenance of the radioactive material management programs in all areas of the hospital
• Promotes departmental goals in the protection of employees, staff, physicians, students, guests, and visitors
• Provide radiation safety training for occupational radiation workers
• Help maintain databases within the department
• Have proficiency in the use of meters and instrumentation used in the departments
• Perform surveys and wipe tests of all laboratories using radioactive materials in accordance with the Radioactive Materials License
• Perform radiological or environmental surveys as required or as directed by the Radiation Safety Officer
• Radiation safety functions related to radiopharmaceutical therapies performed on patients
• Monitor all intercavitary of interstitial implant patients and high dose therapy patients
• Ensure bioassays of personnel are completed in accordance with the Radioactive Materials License
• Work with other departments in the hospital to ensure radiation safety compliance
• Maintains the meter calibration program under the direction of the RSO
• Collect, inventory, and prepare for removal of all radioactive waste generated
• Receive and distribute all incoming radioactive materials
• Perform quarterly sealed source inventory and semi-annual leak testing
• Participates regulatory processes, surveys, inspections, as directed (IEMA, OSHA, DOT, NRC, OIG, DOE, EPA, etc)
• Supports emergency response and participates in drills and actual incidents including those that might occur after hours or on the weekends

Additional responsibilities

• Involvement in the planning of quarterly Radiation Safety Committee meetings
• Responsible for coordinating radiation safety training for occupational radiation workers, including residents and fellows
• Responsible for the lead apron and lead waste programs
• Direct the monitoring and decontamination for radioactive spills
• Supports the Laser Safety Officer
• Perform required calibrations of the liquid scintillation counter, auto gamma counter and uptake probe
• Mentor level I and II health physicists
• Assist Radiation Safety Officer with IRB dosimetry language
• Participate in Radiation Safety education for the Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Therapy programs
• Assist the Radiation Safety Officer as needed

Working Conditions:

The Radiation Safety Department is responsible for overseeing the Radiation Safety Program and regulatory functions for the Northwestern Memorial HealthCare Radioactive Materials License.  This involves traveling to Northwestern Medicine hospitals throughout the Northwestern Memorial HealthCare system. Health Physicist III has a primary reporting location of Northwestern Memorial Hospital, but all health physicists will also be expected to travel to off-sites to support health physics services.

Qualifications

Required:

• Master’s Degree in Radiological Health, Health Physics, Medical Physics or related field   
• 5 years as Health Physics II or equivalent experience in medical radiation safety in a large hospital or academic medical center
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong problem solving and organizational skills
• Must be able to move and load equipment and shielding (up to 50 lbs) and transfer it to locations throughout the hospital/campus
• Ability to lift 10 lbs routinely, and to stand for 3 hours
• Strong organizational, communications, teaching and writing skills
• Identifies quality issues to be addressed and brings to the attention of the Radiation Safety Officer as appropriate
• Assists in the design and implementation of process improvements
• Collects and monitors data for key quality indicators and process improvement plans
• Able to wear a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA or PAPR) or other appropriate respiratory equipment as required.
• Observe work practices and review written policies and procedures
• Demonstrate good body mechanics for lifting  

Preferred:

• Medical Laser Safety Officer (CMLSO) or previous laser safety experience
• National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologist: (NRRPT)
• Eligible for American Board of Science in Nuclear Medicine Certification or
• Board eligible for Part I of the CHP exam by the American Board of Health Physics

Equal Opportunity

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.