Health Physicist (Radiation Safety)

Veterans Health Administration • Louisville, KY

12h • Onsite

About The Position

The Health Physicist serves as the Radiation Safety Officer at the Robley Rex VA Medical Center in Louisville, Kentucky, and is responsible for the radiation safety program, ensuring that guidelines are followed and policies are implemented. This is not a virtual position; the employee must live within or be willing to relocate within commuting distance of the duty location. Telework may be authorized, with eligibility discussed during the interview process.

This is a temporary appointment not to exceed one year, which may be renewed for one additional year based on agency needs. The position follows a Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. schedule. Recruitment and relocation incentives are not authorized, and a Critical Skills Incentive is not approved.

The role establishes and implements radiation-safety policies and procedures; manages radioactive-material waste and records; trains personnel; investigates radiation-safety incidents and deviations; and conducts required surveys, wipe tests, inspections, and equipment checks. It also provides radiation-safety support for clinical therapeutic cases involving radiopharmaceuticals or brachytherapy, including staff instruction, monitoring, source accountability, decontamination, and release of facilities for general use.

Applicants must meet the specified education or equivalent qualification pathway and have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level. The position requires English proficiency. The work includes extended periods of standing, sitting, walking, and bending, and occasionally carrying moderate to heavy items. The position is designated for drug testing and requires a one-year probationary period.

Requirements

• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• A bachelor's degree or higher in natural science or engineering that includes at least 30 semester hours in health physics, engineering, radiological science, chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, and/or calculus; alternatively, a qualifying combination of education and experience or American Board of Health Physics certification, together with appropriate experience and other education. Required transcripts or certification documentation must be submitted as applicable.
• One full year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) in the Federal Service, in or related to the work of the position.
• Specialized experience must include applying radiation safety and health physics in areas such as radiology, research, nuclear medicine, brachytherapy, and laboratory services; detecting and measuring ionizing radiation used in a medical center, including x-rays, gamma rays, and beta particles; and managing a facility-wide radiation-safety program to ensure compliance with applicable directives, licenses or permits, and federal, state, and local requirements.
• Experience claimed for qualification credit must be documented on the resume with job title, duties, start and end month/year, and hours worked per week.
• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Must complete the required application steps and online assessment.
• Subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use before appointment; refusing the test or receiving a verified positive result precludes appointment.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Subject to a background/security investigation and online onboarding requirements.
• Must participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program as a condition for VA health care personnel.
• Must serve a one-year probationary period.
• Physical work includes prolonged standing, sitting, walking, and bending, and occasionally carrying moderate to heavy items.
• Must live within or be willing to relocate within commuting distance of the duty location.

Responsibilities

• Establish and implement written policies and procedures for radioactive-material purchasing, receipt and package opening, storage, inventory records, safe use, emergency response to loss or theft, and periodic radiation and contamination surveys.
• Manage radioactive-material waste disposal for all users of radioactivity.
• Instruct personnel who use radioactive-material sources, at least annually, on the ALARA program, safety procedures, disposal policies and procedures, and applicable regulations and local requirements.
• Investigate overexposures, ALARA exceptions, accidents, spills, thefts, unauthorized receipts, uses, transfers or disposals, medical events, and other deviations from approved radiation-safety practices; implement corrective actions as needed.
• Maintain inventory records and perform required surveys and wipe tests for facilities and sources assigned to the Radiation Safety Office.
• Ensure that VAMC x-ray-producing equipment is inspected for safe operation and compliance with applicable FDA performance and safety standards, Joint Commission standards, and VA NHPP quality-performance and quality-control standards.
• Maintain written Radiation Safety Office records, including training, facility and equipment inspections, calibrations, and other records needed for regulatory compliance and to demonstrate an effective radiation-safety program.
• Provide radiation-safety support for clinical therapeutic cases using radiopharmaceuticals or brachytherapy, including nursing-staff instruction, monitoring, surveying, source accountability, decontamination, and release of facilities for general use.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type and work status.
• Eligible selected applicants may request credit for prior work or military service toward annual leave accrual; approval is required and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Senior