JOB TITLE: RADIATION HEALTH PHYSICIST 2

JOB CODE: 14320

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

DEFINITION: This is advanced 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 independently inspects complex radiation producing equipment and radioactive materials programs in a regional office, or independently performs a variety of duties in support of a major statewide radiation protection program in the central office. Employees at this level may lead or participate in team inspections of complex facilities or demonstrate specialized inspection techniques to coworkers. In the central office, areas of program responsibility may include radon certification, radon monitoring, radioactive material licensing, x-ray equipment registration, accelerator licensing, environmental monitoring, emergency response planning, and radioactive waste oversight. In both central and regional office settings, work may include developing regulations, policies, procedures, and technical guidance documents; serving as agency site representatives at facilities undergoing decontamination or decommissioning; or performing compliance and performance inspections of radon mitigation firms and radon laboratories. Employees may provide direction to lower-level technical employees through on-the-job training and classroom instruction. Work is assigned in the form of objectives and priorities, and employees exercise judgment in planning, scheduling, and completing assignments within the limits of program policies, guidelines, and state and federal regulations. Work is reviewed by a professional supervisor for the attainment of objectives, completeness, technical accuracy, and overall quality.

   DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

     • Inspection work at this level is characterized by equipment and programs with acute impact, either potential or actual, on human health and safety; extensive training and experience required to perform the inspections; and independent decision making and professional judgment in resolving technical issues at inspection sites.

     • Complex radiation producing equipment includes but is not limited to computerized tomography, therapy simulators, therapy units, angiography units, accelerators, field radiography, electron beam welders, and irradiators. Complex radioactive materials programs include but are not limited to diagnostic nuclear medicine, broad licenses, industrial radiography, nuclear pharmacies, and facilities that manufacture devices containing radioactive material.

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

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

• Leads a team of health physicists during inspections of large industrial or medical facilities with radioactive materials programs or numerous and complex radiation sources and conducts exit interviews with facility administrators.

• Conducts investigations involving acute internal or external radiation exposure to determine causes and preventative measures.

• Responds to radiation emergencies and contamination incidents involving known or unknown radiation sources and materials, makes decisions on the type of analysis to be conducted or testing procedures to be used, and recommends contamination cleanup procedures.

• Monitors the decontamination of radioactively contaminated areas by responsible parties or their contractors; reviews site-specific work plans; conducts special surveys relating to facility decontamination or decommissioning activities, plans, and procedures and makes recommendations to improve radiological safety operations or practices.

• 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.

• Directs the radon laboratory and testing inspection program by developing inspection procedures and protocols, training regional staff in conducting inspections, and auditing regional inspection programs.

• Prepares reports to document the results of inspections and studies and makes decisions or recommendations on compliance issues.

• Reviews applications for radon testing, mitigation, and laboratory certification and provides recommendations to supervisor concerning approval or disapproval.

• Designs and directs the environmental surveillance program at a nuclear reactor or other large radioisotope facility.

• Oversees the reporting, data collection, and data analysis requirements of the federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission cooperative agreement on the monitoring of radiation levels around nuclear power plants.

• Develops, compiles, and produces the Annual Report of Environmental Radiation for the Commonwealth to report on the results of the statewide environmental surveillance program.

• Reviews applications for the registration of x-ray equipment and vendors of machines that produce ionizing radiation.

• Reviews applications for the licensing of medical and industrial particle accelerators and prepares draft licenses for review and approval by the supervisor.

• Evaluates complex applications for radioisotope licenses and recommends approval or disapproval with additional conditions to impose upon the licensee if necessary.

• Reviews environmental laboratory analytical results and reviews and prepares reports and findings.

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

• Develops and implements components of the statewide radiation emergency response program and serves as the state's emergency response liaison with a number of nuclear power plants.

• Monitors, tracks, and reports on the generation, storage, transportation, and disposal of radioactive waste and answers technical questions from the regulated community and the public.

• Develops or participates in the development of statewide regulations, policies, procedures, and technical guidance documents for the radiation protection program.

• Provides advice and guidance to field staff and interprets state regulations as they apply to unusual or abnormal circumstances encountered during inspections.

• Conducts or participates in special studies on new methods of evaluating and controlling radiation hazards.

• 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.

• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used to organize and lead inspections of complex radiation producing equipment and facilities.

• 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):

• One year as a Radiation Health Physicist 1;

or

• Two years 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

• Two years 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

• One year of professional experience in the recognition, evaluation, and control of radiation hazards and possession of a certificate of registration issued by the National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists;

or

• Certification as a health physicist by the American Board of Health Physics;

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.