Radiation Safety Specialist

UT Southwestern Medical Center • Dallas, TX

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Ensures employee health and safety standards are met in all areas of the organization. Ensures the safe use of radioactive materials, radiation-producing machines, and lasers through licensure, registration, and compliance with accepted environmental, health, and safety standards. Maintains knowledge/expertise on existing/proposed changes in radiation and laser safety regulations; interprets and applies relevant laws and regulations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in related field with no experience required.

Nice To Haves

• Expertise on existing/proposed changes in radiation and laser safety regulations
• Knowledge of relevant laws and regulations
• Experience with radioactive materials shipping (DOT and IATA expertise)
• Experience with radioactive ordering and receipt programs
• Experience with radioactive waste shipping and disposal
• Experience responding to emergencies including hazardous materials incidents and emergency situations involving radiation and lasers
• Experience participating in emergency drills

Responsibilities

• Performs surveys of laboratories and facilities (i.e., clinical and research lasers, RAM research labs, renewal and termination surveys of radiation use locations, radiation-producing machines) to ensure adherence to safety regulation and procedures.
• Operates portable radiation and contamination survey instruments, as well as radiological counting instruments.
• Provides radiation and laser safety support to clinical services, which includes the following: performing radiation safety preparations for clinical radiopharmaceutical therapies (i.e., thyroid ablations, MIBG therapies), monitoring and instructing medical patients receiving radiation exposure to radioactive substances during clinical procedures, supporting physicians and clinical staff during the clinical use of lasers, and supporting research and clinical groups during the procurement of laser-related items.
• Manage the radiation dosimetry, including dosimeter issuance, delivery, and collection, and dosimetry report review.
• Conducts training and orientation sessions for employees to minimize potential safety hazards, including exposure to lasers and exposure to radiation.
• Assists in the development of radiation safety, MR safety, and laser safety training.
• Prepares reports of findings from radiation and laser surveys (which includes incorporating data from radiation sampling, monitoring), distributes results to the Radiation/Laser Safety Officer, and recommends appropriate corrective actions.
• Maintains required records and documentation.
• Investigates safety and environmental incidents involving the use of radiation and laser, identifying causes and how to prevent their recurrence.
• Identifies potential safety hazards, prepares reports on conditions, and takes action to mitigate identified deficiencies.
• Primary staff member responsible for radioactive materials shipping to include appropriate DOT and IATA expertise.
• Primary back-up to the staff member responsible for the radioactive ordering and receipt program and for the radioactive waste shipping and disposal.
• Assists in preparing for and responding to emergencies including hazardous materials incidents and emergency situations involving radiation and lasers.
• Participates in emergency drills including fire drills.
• Individual may be on-call or emergency situations may require the individual to respond at times outside of set work schedule.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
• 100% coverage for preventive healthcare-no copay
• Paid Time Off, available day one
• Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
• Paid Parental Leave Benefit
• Wellness programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level