Radiation Safety Technician

Job Profile Summary

This role focuses on preventing workplace accidents and promotes health and safety awareness and education to individuals within the organization.

In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Patient Safety duties : Works to prevent workplace accidents and promotes health and safety awareness and education for patients within the organization.

A technical role that accomplishes work through a specialized knowledge or skills gained through a combination of vocational education, training, apprenticeship (craft, skilled and semi-skilled), and experience.

An entry-level role that requires little to no prior knowledge or experience and requires vocational or technical education.

Work is routine or follows standard procedures, work is closely supervised, and communicates information that requires little explanation or interpretation.

Job Overview

This position is responsible for operational duties, along with certain professional responsibilities, associated with clinical and research uses of radiation / radioactive materials at assigned medical facilities.

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications :

1. High School diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications :

1. Associate’s degree in biological sciences or related area.

2. One ( 1 ) year of experience in a Radiation Safety program.

3. F ormal coursework in Radiation Protection.

4. Level C HAZMAT training

5. National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists (NRRPT).

Duties and Responsibilities : The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list .

Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

1. Performs monthly / weekly contamination surveys of areas (laboratories and clinics) where radioactive materials are used.

Acts to address identified issues with appropriate clinical / research staff. Documents results for inspection by Radiation Safety Office (RSO) and applicable regulatory agencies.

2. Provides operational support for in-house clinical therapies involving the administration of radioactive materials to humans (room preparation and decontamination for 131-Iodine therapies, assists with therapy preparation and scanning of staff for contamination associated with 90-Yittrium microsphere therapies, etc.).

3. Responsible for distribution, collection, and shipment of radiation dosimetry badges worn by occupationally exposed staff.

Adds and deletes participants, as needed. Analyzes radiation badge reports on a monthly / quarterly basis for identifiable issues and reviews these reports with the RSO or the Radiation Safety Specialists (RSSs).

4. Calibrates portable radiation detection instrumentation (Geiger counters, EPD's, Ion Chambers) on an annual basis. Inspects instrumentation for defects and replaces parts, as needed.

Documents results for review by RSO and outside regulatory agencies.

5. Handles the operational aspects of the radioactive waste disposal program . Removes radioactive waste from the laboratories, separates according to type, and stores this waste for decay .

Packages long half-lived waste for shipment according to criteria stipulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Maintains appropriate records .

Addresses issues relating to non-compliance of radioactive waste disposal policies with laboratory personnel.

6. Assists RSSs with the decommissioning (close-outs) of radioactive material use areas and equipment. Performs surveys and contamination wipe tests of affected areas / items.

Removes all radioactive markings and signage. Documents results for review by RSO and outside regulatory agencies.

7. Tests dumpster radiation alarms on a regular basis using appropriate check sources. Performs wipe tests to check for removable radiation contamination.

Responds to address positive readings. Removes identified waste to a storage location and disposes as non-radioactive after storage for decay.

Responds to offsite waste facilities with RSSs, if necessary .

8. Retrieves radioactive materials packages from the delivery dock. Visually inspects for damage; verifies correct purchase order, catalog, and lot number.

Performs all applicable surveys / contamination checks and delivers packages to the research and / or clinical laboratories.

9. Responds to radioactive material spills in clinical and research settings. Assists laboratory and HP staff in the clean-up.

Maintains spill control carts with appropriate decontamination supplies.

11. Responds to the Emergency Department to assist with patient decontamination efforts, when necessary.

12. Assists RSSs in the performance of their duties, as necessary.

13. Maintains collaborative, team relationships with peers and colleagues in order to effectively contribute to the working groups achievement of goals, and to help foster a positive work environment .

Physical Requirements :

1. Occupationally exposed radiation worker .

Skills & Abilities :

1. Ability to understand radiation physics and apply radiation safety principles.

2. Knowledge of Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations relating to the shipment of radioactive materials .

3. Knowledge of Commonwealth of Massachusetts regulations governing the use of radioactive materials (105 CMR 120) .

4. Solid computer literacy, proficiency in HP Assist and Microsoft Office suite in a Windows environment.

5 . S kills to appropriately use technology and relevant scientific equipment, as r equired .

6. S kills in problem solving and time management.

7. S kills in teamwork.

8. Interpersonal skills needed for training employees in appropriate techniques for handling radiation equipment and materials, for interacting with hospital staff and patients

9. A bility to set priorities, to meet deadlines, and to work independently.