HEALTH PHYSICIST

Los Angeles County (CA)•Los Angeles, CA

67d

About The Position

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) is the second largest municipal health system in the nation. Through its unified system of 23 health centers and four hospitals - and expanded network of community partner clinics - DHS annually provides direct care for over 500,000 outstanding patients, employs over 23,000 staff, and has an annual budget of over $8.4 billion. For additional information regarding DHS please visit www.dhs.lacounty.gov. Through academic affiliations with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the University of Southern California (USC), and the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Sciences (CDU), DHS hospitals are training sites for physicians completing their Graduate Medical Education in nearly every medical specialty and subspecialty. In addition, to its direct clinical services, DHS also runs the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency and the County's 911 emergency response system, as well as Housing for Health and the Office of Diversion and Re-entry, each with a critical role in connecting vulnerable populations, including those released from correctional and institutional settings, to supportive housing. MISSION To advance the health of our patients and our communities by providing extraordinary care. DEFINITION Conducts investigations, inspections and evaluations of and proposes and implements controls for installations, both private and public, employing unevaluated radiation emitting equipment and materials or preparing to use such equipment and materials. Ensures the calibration and preventative maintenance of the instrumentation for the detection and measurement of radiation. Advises and requires corrective action to control the hazard and prevent recurrence. Investigates and inspects the use of radiation sources and radiation producing devices including those used in high intensity or unevaluated and unique applications in medical, industrial, educational and research facilities. Collaborates with radiation office staff in the surveillance, monitoring and control of X-ray equipment and radiation hazards. Responds to, evaluates, and controls emergency incidents involving radioactive spills, losses, and suspected or accidental radiation exposure which may include going off-site to retrieve the accidental disposal of radioactive materials, on call. Determines compliance with provisions of Federal, State and local laws, regulations and license requirements, issues citations and requires corrective action. Reviews applications for licenses, license amendments, or grant proposals and advises applicants on required changes in facilities, programs, uses, and procedures to conform to legal requirements and good radiation safety practices. Elicits cooperation in the safe use, transfer and disposal of radioactive materials such as radium and cobalt, and adherence to governing laws and regulations. Review and maintenance of the training programs for medical, industrial, and research personnel in the safe use and handling of radioactive materials, and radiation producing machines. Applies available radiation safety criteria and accepted practices in analyzing and evaluating radiation exposures, doses and probable biological effects; refers exposure cases to appropriate medical specialist in compliance with State law. Reviews and prepares technical reports and attends professional society meetings to keep informed on developments in radiation safety.

Requirements

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in physics, engineering or a related field (For this examination, related fields may include radiologic health, radiologic science, health physics, mathematics, physical science, life science).
Three years' professional experience, excluding radiation monitoring and surveys, in the field of radiological health.
A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

Nice To Haves

Additional years of professional experience, excluding radiation monitoring and surveys, in the field of radiological health.
A valid certificate in diagnostic or therapeutic radiologic technology or nuclear medicine technology issued by the California State Department of Health Services or possession of a health physics technology certificate from an accredited two-year program.

Responsibilities

Conducts investigations, inspections and evaluations of and proposes and implements controls for installations, both private and public, employing unevaluated radiation emitting equipment and materials or preparing to use such equipment and materials.
Ensures the calibration and preventative maintenance of the instrumentation for the detection and measurement of radiation.
Advises and requires corrective action to control the hazard and prevent recurrence.
Investigates and inspects the use of radiation sources and radiation producing devices including those used in high intensity or unevaluated and unique applications in medical, industrial, educational and research facilities.
Collaborates with radiation office staff in the surveillance, monitoring and control of X-ray equipment and radiation hazards.
Responds to, evaluates, and controls emergency incidents involving radioactive spills, losses, and suspected or accidental radiation exposure which may include going off-site to retrieve the accidental disposal of radioactive materials, on call.
Determines compliance with provisions of Federal, State and local laws, regulations and license requirements, issues citations and requires corrective action.
Reviews applications for licenses, license amendments, or grant proposals and advises applicants on required changes in facilities, programs, uses, and procedures to conform to legal requirements and good radiation safety practices.
Elicits cooperation in the safe use, transfer and disposal of radioactive materials such as radium and cobalt, and adherence to governing laws and regulations.
Review and maintenance of the training programs for medical, industrial, and research personnel in the safe use and handling of radioactive materials, and radiation producing machines.
Applies available radiation safety criteria and accepted practices in analyzing and evaluating radiation exposures, doses and probable biological effects; refers exposure cases to appropriate medical specialist in compliance with State law.
Reviews and prepares technical reports and attends professional society meetings to keep informed on developments in radiation safety.