JOB TITLE: RADIATION HEALTH PHYSICIST 1

JOB CODE: 14310

SERIES NATURE OF WORK: The Radiation Health Physicist job series describes work in the monitoring and control of radiological health hazards.

DEFINITION: This is professional work in the monitoring and control of radiological health hazards in the field of radiation protection in the Department of Environmental Protection.

An employee in this job inspects radiation producing equipment and radioactive materials programs; reviews plans and reports submitted by facilities undergoing decontamination or decommissioning; and performs compliance and performance inspections of radon mitigation firms, radon laboratories, and facilities including those undergoing decontamination or decommissioning to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations governing radiation protection. Work includes responsibility for independently performing and documenting inspections of moderately complex equipment and programs that have significant potential impact on human health and safety. Moderately complex radiation producing equipment includes but is not limited to diagnostic x-ray units, panoramic dental units, fluoroscopes, lithotripters, mammographic x-ray units, and enclosed analytical x-ray units. Moderately complex radioactive materials programs include but are not limited to storage only licensees, level/density/thickness gauges, portable gauges, and calibration labs. Work may include participating in complex inspections as developmental assignments or as members of an inspection team and demonstrating specialized inspection techniques to coworkers. In the central office, work involves assisting higher-level health physicists in their areas of program responsibility. Work may also include interpreting and participating in the development of regulations, policies, procedures, and technical guidance documents for the radiation protection program. Employees may provide direction to lower-level technical employees through on-the job training and classroom instruction. Work is assigned in the form of specific goals, objectives, and priorities. Work is reviewed by a professional supervisor for the attainment of objectives, completeness, technical accuracy, and overall quality.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.):

• Performs professional work in radiation health physics in a regional office or in the central office.

• Independently conducts inspections of moderately complex radiation producing equipment and radioactive materials programs in medical and industrial settings for compliance with program requirements.

• Inspects facilities performing mammography for compliance with the Federal Mammography Quality Standards Act, tests diagnostic mammographic x-ray machines and automatic film processors for operation with prescribed tolerances, suggests improvements to optimize mammographic imaging and quality assurance practices, and prepares facility compliance reports.

• Conducts inspections of recently installed or assembled diagnostic radiographic and fluoroscopic equipment for compliance with federal assembly regulations.

• Inspects individuals or firms that perform radon mitigation work or test for the presence and concentration of radon or perform laboratory analyses for radon to determine compliance with regulations and certification requirements.

• Reviews environmental laboratory analytical results and drafts reports and findings.

• Reviews applications for small quantity radioisotope use licenses, such as those for private practitioners, clinics, small hospitals, and small industrial users, and recommends approval or disapproval with additional conditions to impose upon the licensee if necessary.

• Reviews licensee-submitted decommissioning plans, final status survey reports, and cost estimates.

• Assists with the review of applications for the licensing of medical and industrial particle accelerators and prepares portions of licenses.

• Uses and interprets complex calculations and theories to determine minimum detectable activities, instrument efficiencies, release criteria, and accurate cost estimates.

• Researches files and case history to assist in gathering data for use in the facilitation of decommissioning or license amendments.

• Tests, calibrates, and performs routine maintenance on mechanical and electronic equipment used for radiation detection and environmental sampling.

• Operates the department’s radon charcoal counting facility, performs quality assurance checks and system calibrations, and conducts analyses of test results.

• Participates in special studies on new methods of evaluating and controlling radiation hazards.

• Prepares reports to document the results of inspections and make recommendations on compliance issues.

• Participates as a member of a radiation emergency response team during incidents and exercises.

• Prepares letters, memorandums, and correspondence to exchange information with facility owners, registrants, licensees, governmental officials, or the public.

• Makes presentations to scientific and technical organizations and at public meetings concerning issues related to radon and radiation protection.

• Travels to and attends enforcement conferences to provide background data on cases, answer questions regarding cases, and assist in explaining Departmental Orders or Consent Order Agreements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of radiation health physics.

• Knowledge of the biological, chemical, and physical sciences related to radiation protection and health physics.

• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in the collection and analysis of radioactive surveys and radiological data.

• Knowledge of federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and procedures governing radiation protection.

• Knowledge of radioactive waste disposal techniques and procedures.

• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in the evaluation of radiation exposure.

• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in investigating complaints involving exposure to, or high levels of, radiation.

• Knowledge of the methods, techniques, and safety precautions used to conduct safety inspections, onsite surveys, and investigations of radiation producing facilities and equipment.

• Knowledge of the principles, methods, techniques, and safety precautions used to identify, control, and mitigate radiation hazards and radon problems.

• Knowledge of the operation, calibration, and preventative maintenance required for radiation detection and environmental sampling equipment.

• Knowledge of radiation emergency response procedures.

• Ability to read and comprehend written materials such as laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Ability to read and interpret data from meters and other measuring devices.

• Ability to prepare and interpret data presented in graphs, tables, charts, and narrative formats.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities):

• Successful completion of the training program for the Radiation Health Physicist Trainee;

or

• One year of professional experience in the recognition, evaluation, and control of radiation hazards and a bachelor's degree in health physics, radiation physics, radiation biology, nuclear physics, or applied health physics;

or

• One year of professional experience in the recognition, evaluation, and control of radiation hazards and a bachelor's degree with major course work in the physical, biological, or radiological sciences or in nuclear engineering that includes 20 credits in health physics or radiological sciences;

or

• Five years of technical experience in providing protection to radiation workers, the general public, and the environment from the effects of radiation and possession of a certificate of registration issued by the National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Certain positions require possession of an active non-commercial PA Class C driver’s license or equivalent.

• Certain positions require current certification in mammography issued by the US Food and Drug Administration.