Radiation Safety Specialist

Position Summary / Career Interest:

The Radiation Safety Specialist 's function is aimed at maintaining and improving the handling of radioactive materials and radiation-emitting equipment at The University of Kansas Health System in support of the primary goals of the program: maintaining radiation exposures As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) and ensuring regulatory compliance. The Radiation Safety Specialist works largely with general supervision collaborating closely with the rest of the Radiation Safety Team to formulate a team approach to radiation safety.

Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions

• "Performs audits and testing at various Departments using radiation and radioactive materials to ensure compliance with State and Federal Radiation Regulations, Radioactive Materials License commitments and X-ray Registration Commitments in both Kansas and Missouri. When necessary initiating corrective action working with Radiation Safety Management, and the. These include but are not limited to:Nuclear Medicine hot labs, injection rooms, waiting areas and scan rooms, ensuring all documentation is correct, equipment meets regulatory requirements and that radiopharmaceutical doses delivered to patients are as prescribed.  Observe technologists’ radiation safety practices and making recommendations for improvement
• X-ray machines and locations where they are used testing the machines to ensure they meet regulatory requirements; staff are operating the machines as expected and that they meet all regulatory requirements as well as utilizing good radiation safety practices and making recommendations for improvements.
• Perform random audits of Diagnostic Medical Physics annual testing of X-ray machines to ensure that the annual testing meets contract obligations.  This may include performing verification measurements
• Radiation Oncology
• Perform random audits of external beam irradiation patient treatment (includes both linear accelerators and proton therapy) plans vs the treatment given to ensure that the treatments given are in accordance with the written directive and identify variations with the written directive and potential medical events. Perform random audits of high dose rate and low dose rate brachytherapy to ensure that the treatments given are in accordance with the written directive and identify variations with the written directive and potential medical events.Perform random audits of Intraoperative Radiation Therapy procedures ensure that the treatments given are in accordance with the written directive and identify variations with the written directive and potential medical events.
• Perform random audits of locations within the Health System in which enhance security measures are required per Title 10 Code of Federal Regulations Part 37 (10CFR37).  These audits will ensure that all requirements of 10CFR37 are met.
• Develop a wide variety of training materials on radiation safety aspects of activities performed by those using radiation and radioactive material and provide training as required.  This may include but not be limited to: General orientation, methods to reduce radiation exposure when using fluoroscopy, x-ray machines, therapeutic radiation, radioactive material, and more.  The audiences for this training will vary from general employees, technologists, nurses, residents, physicists and doctors both at the Health System and the Medical Center.
• Selects and operates a wide variety of specialized radiation and analysis equipment in an efficient manner and coordinates radiological surveys in the most efficient order and perform radiation surveys of patients and areas to determine staff and patient radiation exposures. Maintains working order of the equipment and performs equipment calibrations for the assigned service.
• Report’s equipment malfunctions to the divisional leadership in a timely manner.
• Assists the RSO and Assistant RSO investigating and quantifying radiation over exposures. Performing complex calculations to determine patient and/or staff radiation doses.
• Prepares patient rooms for inpatient radiopharmaceutical therapy to prevent the spread of radioactive material and maintain exposures to patients and staff ALARA, including proper patient identification. After treatment decontaminates the room properly disposing of radioactive and non-radioactive waste, ensuring the room meets regulatory standards for release for unrestricted use.  Documenting via progress notes in the EMR as appropriate.
• Performs daily work assignments in an efficient, organized manner. Introduces self to the patients and able to explain the radiological aspects of the procedure as well as patient instructions upon discharge. Attends to patient’s comfort during procedures involving radiopharmaceutical therapies. Identifies patient needs by observing patients and their environs, notifying nursing or physician personnel if assistance is needed.
• Prepares therapeutic amounts of unsealed radioactive material to be administered by physicians. Performing radiation measurements of the patient, area, delivery device and staff before; during and after the administration.  Analyzing and measuring the amount of residual radioactive material remaining in the delivery system.  Calculate the amount of radioactive material delivered.  Documenting the prepared and delivered radioactivity on the written directive.  Informs the physician of the delivered amount of radioactivity.  Documenting via progress notes in the EMR as appropriate.
• Performs radiation surveys when patients have been admitted after the implantation of temporary or permanent radioactive therapy implants.  Instructing the floor staff on safe practices when in the vicinity of the patient based on radiation levels.  Documenting via progress notes in the EMR as appropriate.
• Must be available to perform on-call support when emergencies or patient needs require evening, weekend, and holiday coverage; responsible for all aspects of the division when at the hospital on emergency call-out, including independent decision-making regarding mitigation of the emergency.
• Interacts with physicians and other technical staff to provide quality, safe and efficient support for patient care.
• Maintains radiation measurement and analysis equipment ensuring maintenance and calibration are performed as required.  Maintains and stocks supplies within the Department on a routine basis and ensures no radioactive trash or linen left about in any area. - Provides instruction to technology students, medical students, and residents about radiation safety when appropriate.
• Responsible for completion of mandatory educational assignments as provided by divisional leadership.
• Maintain the radiation dosimetry program for more than 1500 personnel within the system, ensuring timely and accurate reporting of radiation exposures.
• Ensures all uses of radiation and radioactive materials are performed in compliance with State, Federal and Accrediting Agencies regulations and requirements.  Identifies areas of non-compliance and needs for improvement taking corrective action as directed.
• Maintain radiation measurement equipment in and operable and calibrated condition.  Ensuring that instrumentation in use throughout the System is calibrated as required.
• Collecting, quantifying, and documenting radioactive waste ensuring proper disposal through decay in storage or shipment to a licensed recipient such as a radioactive waste disposal site.
• Implementing various Department programs: The Area Monitoring, including wipe testing and radiation levels, surveys of radioactive waste storage area, and Nuclear Medicine; Radioactive Materials Inventory, including quarterly inventory in assigned areas; Sealed Source Leak Testing, maintaining sealed source leak test documentation.
• Must be able to perform the professional, clinical and or technical competencies of the assigned unit or department.
• These statements are intended to describe the essential functions of the job and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Skills and duties may vary dependent upon your department or unit. Other duties may be assigned as required.

Required Education and Experience

• High School Graduate
• Associates Degree in Radiation Physics/Biology or related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• 1 or more years of experience in radiation related field.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Bachelors Degree with meaning related to radiological, technical, or managerial performance requirements from an accredited college or university.
• Authorized User on a radioactive materials license.
• 1 or more years of experience as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist.
• 2 or more years of experience in radiation related field.

Required Licensure and Certification

• Hold or are eligible for any one of the following certifications:
  American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in Nuclear Medicine,
  Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or Registry eligible, or
  any other radiation related certification approved by management (i.e. Registered Radiation Protection Technologist or Radiation Therapist).

Preferred Licensure and Certification

• Licensed by the State of Kansas Board of Healing Arts within 90 Days

Knowledge Requirements

• Knowledge of Windows and Microsoft Office Products.

We are an equal employment opportunity employer without regard to a person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), national origin, ancestry, age (40 or older), disability, veteran status or genetic information.