Radiation Safety Specialist

University of Chicago • Chicago, IL

1d • $65,000 - $69,000

About The Position

The Radiation Safety Program at the University of Chicago focuses on minimizing risk to any laboratory personnel that works with radioactive materials. Examples of radioactive materials may include ionizing radiation, X-rays, radioactive isotopes, etc. Our team works diligently to provide the best education and training to help individuals minimize their exposure to any source of radiation. Our radiation safety team also oversees the Laser Safety Program at UChicago and focuses on minimizing risk to individuals who work with Class 3b and 4 lasers. Our specialists strive toward providing the best advice, education, and training to help individuals minimize the hazards of working with lasers. The Radiation Safety Specialist will provide support to the University of Chicago’s Radiation Safety Program and Laser Safety Program. The primary functions and duties will be in the following areas: radioactive waste management, radiation monitoring program, laboratory surveys, package receipt surveys, radioactive material accountability, emergency response, escort users to secure locations according to internal procedures, coverage for medical procedures involving therapeutic use of radionuclides, laser safety, database entry, ALARA program, radiation safety training, and instrument quality control. Work is supervised and assigned at the task level.

Requirements

• Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Driver's License - Multiple States

Nice To Haves

• College or university degree in Health Physics or a related field.
• 40-hour HAZWOPER desired but can obtain during employment.
• Excellence as a team player with the ability to do multiple projects and manage deadlines.
• Must communicate effectively with diverse staff and stakeholders, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to read and understand regulatory language.
• Alertness and attentiveness to details, good decision-making skills, demonstrated capacity and motivation to learn.
• Must be able to thrive in a busy environment, fully committed to supporting the radiation safety and laser safety programs at the University and its Medical Center, and enthusiastic about joining a team dedicated to excellence in service.
• The ability to follow instructions to meet radiation safety objectives.
• Strong math capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the planning, scheduling, and conducting of radiation and contamination surveys in the research/medical center laboratories and other areas where radioactive material is used or stored, including analysis of smears for the measurement of radioactive contamination.
• Assist with patient therapy procedures to ensure all regulatory and safety precautions are being followed, perform patient room setup as necessary to control contamination, conduct patient room decontamination procedures to include the removal of all equipment that contains radioactive contamination and removal of radioactive waste and survey of room for contamination.
• Conduct daily package receipt surveys and inventory entry in the database system.
• Assist with the radiation monitoring program to include distribution and return of dosimetry.
• Conduct radiation safety training to University and Medical Center staff.
• Be part of the emergency response for spills.
• Conduct instrument calibration and quality control checks.
• Perform waste management duties to include but not limited to preparation, delivery, surveys, and disposal of radioactive waste containers.
• Comply with biohazard/radiation safety/safety standards through proper handling of potentially hazardous chemical, biological agents, and/or radioactive materials/sources and attend annual safety/radiation safety training classes, as appropriate.
• Conduct data entry of radiation safety records daily into a database to demonstrate compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• With a high level of guidance, interprets University environmental health and safety standards to assist in the design and implementation of programs.
• Ensures legal compliance and develops procedures.
• Monitors and evaluates health and safety concerns.
• Conducts surveys, audits, and inspections of instruments, laboratories, and other facilities to ensure compliance with government and University policies and procedures.
• Analyzes data and initiatives immediate corrective action plans and follow-up to ensure implementation.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Benefits

• The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook .

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees