Radiation Safety Officer (RSO)

Posterity Group LLC•Detroit, MI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Posterity Group LLC is a veteran owned, service-disabled small business, headquartered in Rockville, MD, that specializes in federal government contracting and staffing. We are tasked with staffing the John D. Dingell VAMC with a primary Radiation Safety Officer (RSO). The Radiation Safety Officer are expected to perform the following: RSO shall provide oversight of the John D Dingell VA Medical Center Imaging department for the safe use of radioactive materials, between the hours of 7:00 AM through 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday except Federal holidays or when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government directed facility closings

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Health Physics, Radiological Science, Nuclear Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
Certified Health Physicist (CHP) – Issued by the American Board of Health Physics (ABHP), American Board of Science in Nuclear Medicine (ABSNM), American Board of Radiology (ABR), American Board of Medical Physics (ABMP).
Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) Certification.
DOT Hazardous Materials Certification – Required for handling and transporting radioactive materials.
OSHA HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) Certification – Often required for radiation safety roles in hazardous environments.
Minimum of 3 years of experience in health physics, radiation safety, or regulatory compliance.
Hands-on experience with radiation safety program management, NRC, and DoD or VA regulations and compliance, radioactive material licensing and dosimetry programs, and X-ray and medical radiation safety oversight.
NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) Regulations – 10 CFR Part 20, 10 CFR Part 35, etc.
U.S. Navy and VA Radiation Safety Directives.
ANSI/HPS Standards for radiation protection.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and OSHA Radiation Safety Standards.
Medical and Industrial Radiation Use Requirements.
Proficiency in using radiation detection instruments (e.g., GM counters, scintillation detectors, ion chambers).
Experience with radiation dosimetry programs.
Knowledge of radioactive waste management and decontamination procedures.
Familiarity with medical imaging equipment and nuclear medicine protocols.
Training in emergency response to radiation incidents.

Nice To Haves

A Master’s degree or Ph.D. in Health Physics or Radiation Safety may be preferred for senior roles.
Experience working with U.S. Navy, Department of Defense (DoD), or Veterans Affairs (VA) radiation safety programs is a plus.

Responsibilities

Overseeing all ionizing radiation sources and shipment of radioactive materials.
Tracking and reporting data to quarterly Radiation Safety Committee meetings, and appropriate research committee. May assist with developing agenda, keeping minutes, obtaining signatures, etc. for the Radiation Safety Committee as directed by the Chair of the Radiation Safety Committee.
Attending senior-level briefings as required.
Completing weekly wipe tests as required by NRC/NHPP. These wipes must be completed in each area where RAM is used. After the wipes are completed, they are measured in the well counter to make sure there is no radioactive material contamination.
Providing radiation safety as specified by various VA/VHA Directives governing radiation safety (VHA Directive 1105, VHA Directive 1129, VHA Directive 1105.04, VHA Directive 1200.08, VHA Directive 1200.01):
Oversee education of the employe population in matters of radiation safety, the radiation safety officer provided training programs for all employees who work directly around radiation.
Assist with conducting and tracking annual radiation safety education for all radiation workers, including house officers, researchers, technologists, nurses, housekeeping staff etc.
Provides radiation safety orientation for new staff or trainees as needed. Provides re-education as per departmental request.
Report data to the appropriate departments/committee.
Assist with documenting and tracking radiology technologists and staff education that includes annual training on the following (but not limited to): radiation dose optimization techniques and tools for pediatric and adult patients addressed in the Image Gently® and Image Wisely® campaigns and safe procedures for operation of the types of CT equipment. Instruct personnel in monitoring equipment, safe laboratory practices, decontamination methods, etc.
Overseeing the Radiation Dosimetry and ALARA programs.
While overseeing the Radiation Dosimetry Badge program, the Contactor will access Washington DC VAMC’s program using Government Furnished Equipment.
The Contractor will recommend appropriate personnel monitoring devices for use and oversee exchange of devices at the proper intervals.
Evaluate and distribute personal exposure data and reports to the appropriate department/committee. Answer concerns of individuals regarding reports. Provide reports on a recurring basis as per policy and departmental needs. Distribute annual dose reports as appropriate. Review results of dosimetry monitoring at least quarterly to assess whether staff radiation exposure levels are “as low as reasonably achievable” (ALARA) and below regulatory limits.
Document and provide corrective action plan to limit future exposure if the dosimetry monitoring reports indicate that individual exposure levels exceeded the ALARA limits. Discuss corrective action plan with individual and the service chief/supervisor, as necessary.
Conducting annual inspections of the radiation safety program.
Conducting audits and surveys throughout facility to ensure compliance with current license and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital requirements.
Assist with ensuring proper signage in relevant areas of radiation exposure, including but not limited to CT, NM, Cardiac Cath lab, etc., and assist with ensuring the proper storage of nuclear pharmaceuticals and security of areas with radiation exposure. Use portable survey instruments in the radiology department and patient care areas to determine levels of radiation.
Assist with providing responses to any pertinent NHPP/VA directives, regulatory actions, and The Joint Commission requirements.
Assist with regulatory visits, such as The Joint Commission. Independently review visit tracers/requirements and provides proper documentation.
Assist with fluoroscopy monitoring program especially with regards to exceeded radiation exposure and skin dose threshold levels. Address sentinel events, such as prolonged fluoroscopy with cumulative dose greater than 1,500 rads to a single field.
Collect data, review, and analyze incidents where the radiation dose index (computed tomography dose index [CTDIvol], dose length product [DLP], or size-specific dose estimate [SSDE]) from diagnostic CT examinations exceeded expected dose index ranges identified in imaging protocols. Compares incidents to external benchmarks.
Assist the facility with quality improvement, quality assurance, and quality control projects and data collection/tracking with regards to radiation safety. Reports relevant radiation safety data/metrics to other hospital committees, including but not limited to QSV, Radiology QI Committee, Patient Safety Committee, etc. From time to time, the RSO will be responsible for auditing the radiation safety policies of all services in the medical center utilizing Radiation safety principles and make recommendations where improvements are needed.
Advise HTM/Biomed department to ensure all ionizing radiation producing equipment is inspected after initial installation, annually, and after a major repair has been completed.
Advise in structural shielding design assessments prior to the installation of all ionizing radiation producing equipment or construction/modifications to rooms where radioactive materials will be stored.
Advise in radiation protection survey after the installation of all ionizing radiation producing equipment or construction/modifications to rooms where radioactive materials are stored.
Provide expert opinion on radiation safety questions and issues, including from patients, departments, JPSRs, etc. Assist with writing local policy with regards to radiation safety topics. Assist with tracking medical errors, adverse events, and indicators of potential quality and safety problems related to radiation safety. Examples include but are not limited to: incidents of the wrong radiopharmaceutical being used, i.e., not the radiopharmaceutical prescribed for the patient, or of the wrong dose of the prescribed radiopharmaceutical being administered, or of use of the wrong route of administration for the prescribed radiopharmaceutical; repeats of the same diagnostic studies within a short time span, which may be an indicator of poor image quality and radiation exposure; etc. Assist with CT protocol review and protocol mapping; Assist with development or revise procedural manuals for monitoring, managing, and controlling conventional radiation sources in the clinic or research setting. Assist with implementing, and evaluating tests procedures, and reporting mechanisms to ensure proper radiation safety measures are meet within the facility.
Advise in cases of Emergency preparedness including disaster planning and accidents involving radiation exposure or radioactive contamination. Assist the facility with creating written procedures, including the use of precautions and personal protective equipment, to follow in response to radiopharmaceutical material and waste spills or exposures.
Advise in annual lead apron testing. Provide oversight, contact/communication, and tracking for departments with lead aprons. Coordinates testing with other departments and Radiology. Disposes of lead aprons that fail testing.