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Job Description

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

The Medical Health Physicist performs professional assignments related to regulatory compliance for the use of radiation in the University of Washington (UW) medical centers and associated clinics. This position ensures compliance with regulations and standards for the safe use of radiation for the protection of both patients and employees at Harborview Medical Center (HMC), both campuses of UW Medical Center (UWMC), and associated clinics. Radiation facilities include nuclear medicine and diagnostic radiology at each hospital. Radiation therapy is performed with radiopharmaceuticals, brachytherapy sources, and linear accelerators. Unique programs and facilities include the UW Medical Cyclotron Facility (UWMCF), intravascular brachytherapy (IVBT) utilizing strontium 90 sources, clinical trials utilizing astatine 211, a gamma knife facility, and a large yttrium 90 microspheres program.

In addition to the day-to-day function and oversight of this program, the Medical Health Physicist will be involved in strategic planning, program development, and process improvement. This position works closely with internal and external clients and partners to collaborate regarding regulatory compliance issues, training, policy analysis, and reporting. The Medical Health Physicist will directly contribute to and be accountable for creating and sustaining a culture of service, quality, accountability and excellence within the Radiation Safety Section and UW Environmental Health and Safety.

The Environmental Health and Safety Department provides University wide health and safety programs at all campus locations as well as Harborview and UW Medical Centers. The Medical Health Physicist must ensure assigned programs meet safety and regulatory requirements for a broad range of radioactive materials use applications.

Duties & Responsibilities

This position is responsible for program direction and control and ensuring regulatory requirements for assigned radiation safety programs are met.

This position works independently under general supervision from the University of Washington (UW), EH&S, Radiation Safety Officer and regularly exercises independent judgment and decision making. This position works under the direction of the UW EH&S Radiation Safety Officer and closely collaborates with other Health Physicists in Radiation Safety and the EH&S to ensure alignment of program requirements across all Radiation Safety programs.

This position manages the following radiation safety programs:

Medical Radiation Safety

+ Develop, implement, and maintain safety programs for the medical use of radioactive material and x-ray devices to ensure radioactive materials and radiation producing machines are managed, monitored, and operated in accordance with industry standards and regulatory and institutional requirements.

+ Assure compliance with the University’s radioactive material license conditions and regulations issued by Washington State and federal agencies. Institute appropriate recommendations, policies, and guidance of scientific authorities and resources for radiation protection.

+ Oversee and manage radiation protection for patient procedures involving the use of radioactive materials. This includes: coordinating with UW Medicine partners such as Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center to ensure consistent procedures across organizations; consulting with patients regarding their personal responsibility for protection of others in the event they are allowed to leave the hospital with measurable levels of radioactive materials in their bodies; conducting surveys of radiation therapy patient rooms to determine personnel exposure levels and required postings, and verifying removal of radiation hazards; and advising staff of appropriate radiation protection measures to assure safety for workers and visitors.

+ Develop, implement and maintain an inspection program for nuclear medicine and radiation oncology clinics to ensure that established control procedures are being followed and to verify maintenance of hospital radioactive materials receipt, administration, disposal, monitoring and quality assurance records. Cross train other radiation safety staff specified by the UW RSO to support these tasks and review their work for accuracy and completeness.

+ Develop, implement, and maintain training for medical personnel regarding the safe use of and exposure to ionizing radiation.

+ Consult with UW community partners regarding regulatory requirements and employee concerns for the medical use of radiation and radioactive materials.

+ Investigate problems, questions, or complaints received within the organization, from customers, and from regulatory agencies. Examples include lost or stolen medical x-ray devices, potential medical events, and radiation doses in excess of occupational dose limits. When required, coordinate with the UW RSO to report events to regulatory authorities within the specified period of time.

+ Consult with departments in the development and maintenance of specific radiation safety procedures. This includes preparation and periodic revision of procedures such as for handling radiation therapy patients, nursing procedures, radiology/nuclear medicine procedures, and emergency response for treating radiation accident victims.

+ Identify, compile, and analyze data needed to monitor the medical use of radioactive materials. --Provide data needed for reports, audits, and inspections, and provide recommendations to the UW RSO regarding necessary resources and actions to maintain a compliant and effective safety program for the medical use of radiation and radioactive materials.

+ Perform testing and audits of medical x-ray devices not associated with a medical center (excluding dental devices). Cross train other radiation safety staff specified by the UW RSO to support these tasks and review their work for accuracy and completeness.

+ Conduct surveys of radiation therapy source storage and use areas to verify compliance with radiation exposure limit regulations. Cross train other radiation safety staff specified by the UW RSO to support these tasks and review their work for accuracy and completeness.

+ Conduct leak tests of sealed sources and review the testing results to verify compliance with regulations. Take corrective action as necessary.

+ Consult with the UW RSO, medical center administration, and clinical staff to keep personnel and public radiation exposures as low as reasonably achievable

+ Collaborate with UW medical physicists and other Radiation Safety staff to conduct medical patient radiation dose estimates and dose estimates to radiation workers. Collaborate with other Radiation Safety staff in the evaluation of applications for the use of radiation and radioactive materials on human subjects.

+ Coordinate with the UW RSO and other Radiation Safety staff in oversight of the personnel dosimetry program (chiefly for UWMC and HMC). When assigned, investigate dosimeter results that exceed ALARA investigation levels and document investigation findings and follow up actions.

+ Attend and participate in medical center safety committee(s), such as the Environment of Care committee, as assigned.

+ Propose to the UW RSO new and revised University policy, procedures, and guidelines for the safe use of radioactive material and changes to the UW Radiation Safety Manual. Assist in the preparation of radioactive material license applications and amendment requests for the medical use of radioactive material.

+ Address discrepancies identified during inspections and audits of the program.

Shielding

+ Develop, implement, and maintain a safety program for evaluating the medical and research use of radioactive sources and radiation producing devices to ensure areas are shielded in accordance with industry standards and regulatory and institutional requirements.

+ Review construction plans for facilities incorporating shielding for radioactive materials and radiation producing machines. Coordinate with construction contractors to verify that design criteria are met.

+ Identify, compile, and analyze data needed to perform shielding calculations and prepare shielding reports for submission to regulatory agencies. Cross train other radiation safety staff specified by the UW RSO to support these tasks and review their work for accuracy and completeness.

+ Conduct evaluations and verification of shielding of new equipment or existing equipment.

+ Address discrepancies identified during inspections and audits of the program.

Radiation Safety Section Support

+ Cross train in other Radiation Safety programs to provide support that ensures continuity of services during the absence of other Program Operations Specialists.

+ Perform semi-annual sealed source leak tests as assigned.

+ Collaborate with other Radiation Safety staff to conduct an annual audit of the Radiation Protection program.

+ Attend Radiation Safety section meetings, work on special projects, other duties/projects as assigned.

EH&S Department Support and other duties as assigned

+ Collaborate with other EH&S technical groups as part of the larger integrated EH&S program.

+ Comply with regulations and University and departmental policies and procedures regarding health and safety.

+ Track and record time of services provided to Key Clients.

+ Incorporate strategic planning initiatives from the EH&S Strategic plan into routine work. Support data gathering for metrics and performance monitoring of programs to ensure organizational efficiencies and desired outcomes are met and program goals are reached.

+ Attend EH&S departmental and team meetings, serve on committees, work on special projects, other duties/projects as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

+ Master's degree in Health Physics, Engineering, or Science

+ Three years of experience in a radiation safety program at a hospital or medical center

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Additional Requirements

+ Demonstrated ability to make professional judgments based on radiation safety principles and practices.

+ Familiarity with various types of ionizing radiation sources including unsealed radioactive materials and sealed sources.

+ Technical proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite software.

+ Demonstrated strong written and verbal communication skills

Desired Qualifications

+ Experience in a radiation safety program in a university setting

+ Certification by the American Board of Health Physics (ABHP)

Working Conditions

This position requires working in environments that contain radioactive and other hazardous materials and/or radiation emitting equipment. The misuse or malfunction of these radiation sources can result in injury or illness. When assessing incidents and accidents, the Medical Health Physicist must be technically knowledgeable and able to respond to inquiries regarding radiation exposure at University locations.

Other Requirements

+ Licensed to operate a motor vehicle in the state of Washington or the ability to obtain a license within six months.

+ Position requires frequent travel within the main UW Seattle campus to client offices and facilities, and occasional travel to various UW decentralized offices, labs, and medical centers.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$120,000.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$140,004.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer (https://hr.uw.edu/eoaa/) . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected] .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law (https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28B.112.080) .

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.