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POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the general direction of the Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) Director of Radiation Safety or designee, this EH&S Assistant Radiation Safety Officer (ARSO) is responsible for the implementing the Radiation Safety programs in accordance with federal, state and other applicable regulations at multiple campuses including UMass Medical School, the Shrewsbury campus, the Shriver Center, Jamaica Plain, and UMass Memorial Medical Center Hospital based safety programs at their main and offsite campuses. This position is responsible for maintaining full compliance and the spirit of current and developing regulations, requirements and guidelines pertaining to protection of above campuses staff, students, contractors and public from radiation.

The ARSOs duties and responsibilities include ensuring radiological safety, security, and compliance with both Massachusetts Department of Public Health and U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations and the conditions of the license; maintaining compliance with regulations pertaining to protection of above-named campuses staff and public from radiation, advising administration on the impact of new and proposed changes in the laws of the programs.

Job functions will require this position to work in patient care areas (inpatient units, surgical suites, ICUs, ambulatory clinics, etc.), laboratories (clinical, research anatomy) and animal quarters. In this position, the incumbent may interact with all levels of management and diverse employee and student populations and cultures to accomplish identified goals and objectives and is expected to maintain a respectful and professional demeanor and to resolve any unplanned opportunities that arise. The EH&S ARSO provides support and guidance to the other units within the EH&S Department.

The ARSO is responsible for maintaining the organizations compliance with existing and developing standards and regulations issued by federal, state, municipal agencies and non-governmental and accreditation agencies. This includes Joint Commission, Nuclear Regulatory Committee, OSHA, Mass DLS, EPA, DEA, DOT, TJC, NFPA, NIOSH, ANSI, CDC, Mass DOS, Mass DEP, Mass DPH, Worcester FD, and Worcester HD for both the Medical School and Medical Center.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepares and communicates technical safety and health information to all campuses staff
• Develops and conducts training programs as necessary. Conducts training programs for personnel working with machines, radioactive material and other workers who work near radiation sources
• Guides Principle Investigators through the approval process for Radioactive Materials and Irradiator Authorizations. Reviews these applications, adds comments and safety conditions for final approval by the Radiation Safety Committee. Approves and disapproves amendments to Authorization.
• Manage the collection and review of patient dose data for review and regulatory compliance
• Prepares reports for the Radiation Safety Committee and its Subcommittees.
• Assists RSO and Radiation Safety Committee to review human subject protocols, IACUC protocols and experimental protocols using radiation or radioactive material
• Helps design, implement and oversee complex environmental sampling procedures and computer data management systems.
• Participates in the operational details including but not limited to:
  • Purchases of radioactive material for the Institution.
  • Controlling and evaluating personnel dosimetry and bioassays for the Institution.
  • Assisting workforce staff with radiation safety tasks during specific patient radiation therapies.
  • Evaluating all areas where radioactive materials and/or machine produced radiation is present
  • Collecting, processing and packaging radioactive waste for disposal.
  • Operating the quality assurance and calibration program for instrumentation including radiation detection devices and high-dose rate animal/cell Irradiators.
• Participate in the Medical Center and Medical School construction program involving areas of radiation use
• Develops, implements and reviews applicable radiation safety policies, procedures, guidelines, SOPs and training for the Medical Center, Medical School and EH&S Department annually
• Interacts with regulatory auditors, inspectors and surveyors, managing the investigation of the alleged hazard.
• Ability to interpret, implement and comply with federal, state and local regulations and agencies
• Reviews annually and as needed as well as provides insight on multiple Radiation Safety intranet sites to ensure accuracy and consistency
• Provides technical support, guidance and training in regulatory compliance for all areas of the Medical School and Medical Center relative to radiation safety policies and procedures, and applicable regulations, permits, codes, and standards, including those of Joint Commission, Nuclear Regulatory Committee, OSHA, Mass DLS, EPA, DEA, DOT, TJC, NFPA, NIOSH, ANSI, CDC, Mass DOS, Mass DEP, Mass DPH, Worcester FD, and Worcester HD. Advises/supports various committees to develop and review policies and procedures.
• Manage and maintain Radiation Safetys data bases
• Responds to urgent and emergent calls, including as a member of the Radiation Safety off hour, night, weekend and holiday on-call system.
• Performs other applicable duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Bachelors degree in radiation, safety, chemistry, biology, environmental health and safety, environmental engineering, environmental science, a related field, or equivalent job experience
• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant job experience.
• American Board of Health Physics board eligibility
• Valid drivers license and dependable transportation.

• Certified or become certified within six months of hire as a 40 Hour Emergency Chemical Responder (HazWoper)
• Comprehensive working knowledge of applicable regulations such as Joint Commission, Nuclear Regulatory Committee, OSHA, Mass DLS, EPA, DEA, DOT, TJC, NFPA, NIOSH, ANSI, CDC, Mass DOS, Mass DEP, Mass DPH, Worcester FD, and Worcester HD.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and manage time effectively to complete assigned projects and tasks. Analytical skills include evaluating and developing alternatives to address problems and issues.
• Ability to evaluate worksites for potential hazards, conducts necessary monitoring, write reports and relate information clearly and effectively.
• Ability to work with technical monitoring equipment, applying principals of radiation safety in a medical school and hospital setting, and working with regulations governing the management, use and disposal of radioactive substances.
• Proficient and competent with all Microsoft Office software and database applications.
• Demonstrated oral and written communication skills. Proficient in writing reports and trending data. Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver safety training sessions.
• Effective interacting with people.
• Physically capable of wearing personal protective equipment, including a full-face respirator or comparable protection.
• Physical condition must allow for considerable walking and lifting of 25 pounds.
• Possess aptitude and willingness to safely handle chemical wastes and hazardous chemicals with appropriate equipment.
• Credentials subject to review by government agencies to practice radiation safety off site

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Master of Science (MS) in Health Physics or closely related field
• American Board of Health Physics board certification
• Five (5) years minimum of relevant practical experience in Health Physics under a Broad Scope License
• Five (5) years of Health Physics experience in a large institution
• Knowledge of and experience with Joint Commission Environment of Care standards.
• Previous similar experience working with a healthcare/hospital facility, or an academic institution such as a university or college.
• Previous managerial or supervisory experience