Experience Inc. Jobs

Employment Type:

Full time

Shift:

Day Shift

Description:

Saint Alphonsus Health System is hiring for our West Region Radiation Safety Officer - Medical/ Health Physicist.

The West Region Safety Office will be responsible for managing the radiation safety program of radioactive materials and ionizing radiation emitting devices. They will be the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) for Trinity Health Western Region-Saint Agnes Medical Center, Fresno, California, and Saint Alphonsus Health System for Idaho/Oregon locations. Oversight of medical use of ionizing radiation includes the diagnostic and therapeutic use of radioactive materials regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and associated Agreement State equivalence for uses defined by 10 CFR 35.100, 35.200, 35.300, 35.400, 35.500, 35.600, 35.1000, 10 CFR 20 and 10 CFR 37. Oversight of machine emitting sources of ionizing radiation regulated by the State of California, Idaho and Oregon to include general diagnostic and interventional x-ray, mammography, fluoroscopy, Computerized Tomography, Remote After loader and therapeutic linear accelerators.

As a primary focus of radiation safety practice and compliance, the RSO must assist organizational administrative leaders in assurances of the safe use of this beneficial technology. The RSO is expected to be the knowledgeable liaison with all the groups and individuals who use or benefit from this technology including outside regulatory and accreditation agencies. The RSO is responsible for monitoring the educational, operational, and administrative radiation safety needs of Hospital staff, patients/visitors, and the public.

The position establishes, coordinates, and maintains procedures, policies, and programs to monitor the use of ionizing radiation within these Trinity ministries that use ionizing radiation for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. The RSO is the daily manager of the Radiation Safety Program responsible for the compliance with applicable with state and federal regulations including Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Department of Transportation (DOT). The RSO is also responsible for applicable NRC and Agreement State license conditions, State regulations for radiation producing devices used in imaging, radiation therapy, relevant Joint Commission (JC), and American College of Radiology (ACR) standards. In this management function, the RSO interacts with the relevant federal and state regulatory authorities, along with applicable accreditation agencies as needed to accomplish organizational goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• The RSO is the primary source of radiation protection information for staff and patients at all levels of responsibility. The Radiation Safety Office is the center for all internal and external records and communications pertaining to the radiation safety operation at these locations of use.

• The RSO is responsible for this centralized record-keeping function. These records include, but are not limited to audits, surveys, radiation monitoring results, correspondence with regulatory agencies, NRC licenses, State licenses and registrations, minutes of Radiation Safety Committee meetings, and policies and procedure manuals.

• Maintains good rapport and cooperative relationships in performing all duties.

• Approaches conflict in a constructive manner.

• Helps to identify problems, offer solutions, and participate in their resolution.

• Works in a collegial manner with all staff to ensure a positive safety culture.

• Maintains the confidentiality of information acquired pertaining to patient, physicians, colleagues, and visitors for Trinity Health ministries.

• Discusses patient and hospital information only among appropriate personnel in appropriately private places.

• Behaves in accordance with the Code of Conduct, Service Excellence Standards, and the Mission, Vision, and Values of the Trinity Health System.

• Assumes responsibility for performance of job duties in the safest possible manner, to assure personal safety and that of coworkers, and to report all preventable hazards and unsafe practices immediately to management.

• Coordinates and maintains all aspects of the occupational radiation monitoring of personnel. This will include ensuring measurement devices are appropriately used in all services, reviewing occupational and public exposure reports, maintain required records, and preparing appropriate reports for review and assessment by the Radiation Safety Committees, staff, and regulatory agencies as needed or required.

• Recommends methods for achieving occupational and patient exposures As Low as Reasonably Achievable (ALARA).

• Assist Administration in establishing a means to audit the effectiveness of the Radiation Safety Program implementation to ensure compliance with regulatory and hospital requirements. This includes oversight of periodic audits of radioactive material use areas and an annual/routine review of the radiation safety programs.

• Monitors the annual compliance testing of diagnostic radiation machines. This includes notifying appropriate departmental personnel of any identified issues requiring corrective action, preparing technical reports, and recommending any corrective action to the Clinical Engineering, applicable clinical services, and Radiation Safety Committees as needed.

• Assists the Radiation Safety Committees and medical facilities establish policies and procedures for the safe use of ionizing radiation from radionuclide sealed sources, radiopharmaceuticals, and radiation producing machines (both diagnostic and therapeutic). Provide consultation, guidance, and assistance regarding safe use of ionizing radiation to other institutional committees, departments, Administration, and employees as needed or requested.

• Provide or assist investigations of radiological hazards, unsafe practices, incidents, medical events, or unusual exposures (both staff and patient) and reports them to the Radiation Safety Committees, Administration, and the appropriate regulatory authorities, as needed. The cause(s) and appropriate corrective action(s) are identified, and timely corrective action(s) are taken.

• Has the authority to suspend or terminate operation of any activity determined to be a radiological hazard to patients, occupational personnel, or the public pending review by Administration.

• Oversees the receipt, opening, and delivery, and transport of radioactive materials for compliance with NRC and Agreement State equivalence as well as DOT requirements.

• Develops and maintains appropriate emergency response plans and materials necessary to respond to an emergency involving radioactive material, i.e., spills, accidents, or unusual events.

• Ensures compliance for disposal of radioactive materials/waste, shipment of sealed sources to the licensed recipient, to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements (NRC, Agreement State, DOT, EPA, etc.).

• Provides consultation as requested by a physician to patients, family members, and visitors regarding appropriate radiation precautions and biological risks of exposure, as needed.

• Facilitates achievement of Radiation Safety Committees goals, objectives, and policies. This includes being a permanent member of the Radiation Safety Committees with the authority to request special meetings to address specific issues.

• Enforces the policies reviewed and approved by the Radiation Safety Committees. When appropriate, the RSO will develop and submit policies for Radiation Safety Committee action.Be informed and consulted in the planning, design or modifications of any facility structure employing ionizing radiation to ensure adequate protection of all staff and the public.

• RSO is consulted on shielding ionizing radiation design plans and maintains documentation for submissions to the appropriate regulatory agency as needed.

• Represent applicable Trinity Health Hospitals in communicating with national and state agencies governing ionizing radiation as needed or requested.

• Participate in the development of standards and regulations affecting the Radiation Safety Program as needed.

• Work collaboratively with California/Idaho/Oregon Regional leadership teams to ensure colleagues, medical staff, and board members participate in ongoing training and education programs to remain in compliance with required training.

• Assumes responsibility for performance of job duties in the safest possible manner, to assure personal safety and that of coworkers, and to report all preventable hazards and unsafe practices immediately to management.

• Ensure quarterly audits of the nuclear medicine labs are completed and that an annual radiation safety audit of the program is completed.

• Provides appropriate radiation protection information or instruction to hospital staff involved in the use of radioactive materials or radiation machines, commensurate with individual's duties and uses.

• Creates and maintain ministry wide radiation safety policies and education material.

• Provides review of CT dose alerts in Radimetrics Dose Summary software.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE

Education: A medical health physicist/Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) must have a Master’s degree in medical physics, health physics or a related discipline.

Experience: Minimum 2 years of full-time experience as an RSO, Associate/Assistant Radiation Safety Officer (ARSO), or equivalent in a medical program of similar scope. This experience must involve the clinical use of radioactive materials and radiation producing machines consistent with all current NRC or Agreement State equivalence licensed activities.

Certification/Licensure: Certification by the American Board of Radiology in a medical physics field or Comprehensive certification by the American Board of Health Physics is required.

HIGHLIGHTS AND BENEFITS:

When Saint Alphonsus takes care of you, you can take better care of our patients. We foster personal and professional growth and offer opportunities that empower our colleagues to develop their careers. Our belief in work-life balance compliments the natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and outdoor recreation lifestyle that is unique to Idaho and Oregon.

• We offer market-competitive pay, generous PTO, and multiple options for comprehensive benefits that begin on day one.

• Benefits for your future include retirement planning and matching, college savings plans for your family, and multiple life insurance plans that can change as your needs develop.

• We are proud to offer Employee Assistance Programs, tuition reimbursement, and educational opportunities to help you learn and grow.

MINISTRY/FACILITY INFORMATION

Saint Alphonsus Health System is a faith-based ministry and not-for-profit health system serving Idaho, Oregon, and northern Nevada communities. The health system boasts 4 hospitals, 609 licensed beds, and 73 clinic locations. Through innovative technologies, compassionate staff, and healing environments, Saint Alphonsus' goal is to improve the health and well-being of people by emphasizing care that is patient-centered, physician-led, innovative, and community-based.

• Top 15 Health Systems in the country by IBM Watson Health.

• The region’s most advanced Trauma Center (Level II).

• Commission on Cancer Accredited Program through demonstrating an uncompromising commitment to improving patient survival and quality of life.

Visit www.saintalphonsus.org/careers to learn more!

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, Catholic healthcare systems in the nation. Built on the foundation of our Mission and Core Values, we integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do. Our colleagues have different lived experiences, customs, abilities, and talents. Together, we become our best selves. A diverse and inclusive workforce provides the most accessible and equitable care for those we serve. Trinity Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by law.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Trinity Health is a family of 115,000 colleagues and nearly 26,000 physicians and clinicians across 25 states. Because we serve diverse populations, our colleagues are trained to recognize the cultural beliefs, values, traditions, language preferences, and health practices of the communities that we serve and to apply that knowledge to produce positive health outcomes. We also recognize that each of us has a different way of thinking and perceiving our world and that these differences often lead to innovative solutions.

Our dedication to diversity includes a unified workforce (through training and education, recruitment, retention, and development), commitment and accountability, communication, community partnerships, and supplier diversity.

EOE including disability/veteran