Radiation Safety Specialist

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Job Details

Job Ref:
42991

Location:
450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215

Category:
Operations

Employment Type:
Full time

Work Location:
Onsite: 4-5 days onsite/week

Overview

Reporting to the Radiation Safety Manager, the Radiation Safety Specialist supports all aspects of the DFCI radiation safety program by providing support to clinical and research operations using radioactive materials and a variety of radiation-producing devices. The Radiation Safety Specialist communicates and coordinates effectively with other members of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) and other DFCI departments regarding safety practices and compliance requirements. This position requires collaborative work with a variety of support staff and contractor personnel. 

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Responsibilities

  • Daily/continuous review and evaluation of radiological surveys. Conduct confirmatory or supplementary radiological surveys, as needed.
  • Under the oversight of the RSO or Associate RSO, investigate exposures, accidents, spills and other deviations from approved radiation safety practices. Consult as needed with users to recommend or evaluate corrective actions.
  • Provide emergency and spill assistance; assist in cleanup of radioactive spills and provide guidance to supporting personnel. Provide documentation of incident, remediation, and follow-up / corrective actions.
  • Collect information supporting Radiation Safety audits and assist in program reviews.
  • Conduct or assist training for clinical and research staff in radiation safety practices.
  • Assist in monitoring personnel radiation exposures and coordinate with RSO or Associate RSO as needed.
  • Conduct radioactive inventory and sealed source leak testing.
  • Participate in procedure development and implementation.
  • Perform effluent and evacuation calculations and postings.
  • Collaboratively work with Radiation Safety Program Coordinator to maintain documentation of instrument calibrations and service activities.
  • In conjunction with contracted service providers supporting the radiation safety program, evaluate instrument performance and identify deficiencies for follow-up/resolution. Maintain inventory of survey instruments and calibration records.
  • Perform survey instrument and analytical equipment QA/QC checks and document performance assessments.
  • Assist the Laser Safety Officer (LSO) in implementing the laser/non-ionizing radiation safety program. Perform on-site evaluation / audits if laser systems in use.
  • Maintain up-to-date DOT training as a shipper of Class 7 hazardous materials (training will be provided)
  • Distributed campus locations mandate some travel between sites; requires the ability to walk (the equivalent of approximately 2 miles daily) and typically requires 40% sitting and 60% standing/ walking/traveling.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Radiation Safety Officer.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in natural or physical science, engineering, or equivalent required. Degree in health physics, radiation sciences, nuclear engineering, or physics preferred.
  • 1 year of practical experience in academic or medical ionizing radiation protection programs required. Experience in radiation safety in an industrial, academic, or medical environment preferred.
  • Degree in a field directly related to radiation safety (e.g., Health Physics, Radiation Sciences, Nuclear Engineering) may substitute experience.
  • Eligible to successfully complete the process of determination as “Trustworthy & Reliable” for unescorted access to significant quantities of radioactive material (‘quantities of concern’). This includes an employment and academic background check, fingerprinting and a criminal history check.  The background investigation is to be conducted after hire, during a 3-month probationary period and is a condition of continued employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

  • Practical understanding of ionizing radiation hazards and protection principles when working with radioactive materials.
  • Familiarity with the principles of radiation detection and interactions of ionizing radiation with matter.
  • Familiarity with applications used in office administration (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, email, calendar, database tools).
  • Ability to evaluate worksites for potential hazards and conduct radiological assessments. The successful candidate will receive training/mentoring to assess exposure monitoring/dosimetry results in the context of regulatory and DFCI administrative limits.
  • Ability to write coherent reports and relate information to all levels of DFCI staff.
  • Ability to understand and comply with applicable regulations and agencies such as USDOT, Massachusetts DPH, and USNRC; training will be provided by Radiation Safety technical staff. 
  • Practical understanding of radiological instruments, detector principles, instrument calibration and QC.
  • Familiarity with regulatory requirements relevant to defensible measurements & surveys.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

 

PATIENT CONTACT: None

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong.  As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are equally committed to diversifying our faculty and staff.  Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and diverse professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

 

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

 

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