Health Physicist (Radiation Safety)

Description:

The Radiation Safety Officer overseeing a comprehensive program in support of hundreds of individuals in the Services of Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Oncology, Cardiology, Surgery, Dental, Research and various other Medical and Surgical specialties using ionizing radiation in a clinical/academic/research setting under NHPP radioactive materials permits (issued under the authority of the NRC).


Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates.

Requirements:

English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.

AND

To qualify for this position, you must also meet the Basic Educational Requirements as well as Specialized Experience requirement.

Basic Educational Requirement : Successfully completion of a bachelor's degree (or higher) in natural science or engineering that included at least 30 semester hours in health physics, engineering, radiological science, chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics and/or calculus. NOTE: If you select this option, you must submit a copy of your transcript with your application. Education will not be credited without documentation.
Or, a combination of education and experience that includes courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or other education; or certification as a health physicist by the American Board of Health Physics (copy of certification must be submitted with your application materials), plus appropriate experience and other education that provided an understanding of sciences applicable to health physics comparable to that described in paragraph A. NOTE: If you select this option, you must submit a copy of your transcript with your application. Education will not be credited without documentation. Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week.

AND

Specialized Experience Requirement: One (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-12) in the Federal Service that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of this position and that is typically in or related to the work of this position. Specialized experience: Plans, directs, leads, and executes the radiation safety and medical health physics programs in a technical, scientific, and administrative scope of function with responsibility for all diagnostic, therapeutic and research modalities that require the use of ionizing radiation; Advises ancillary staff, researchers, technical, and medical personnel in the safe use of radioactive materials and devices producing ionizing radiation;. Reviews experimental procedures specific calculations and development of risk wording, occupational dosimetry determinations for employees, and evaluation of data regarding patient absorbed radiation dose; Offers consultation and advice to other onsite and offsite senior technical experts because of the position-specific responsibilities in the various associated disciplines. NOTE: Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must clearly indicate the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position. Your experience must be fully documented in your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week.

You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position:

• Education and Training
• Health Physics
• Quality Management
• Research

IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Physical Requirements: Occasional movement of moderately heavy objects (40-60 pounds). Expected to walk throughout the medical in the performance of his/her duties. Handles and uses delicate instruments. The Radiation Safety Officer is likely to spend several hours per day updating documents, records, correspondence, and filing in an office, at a desk, with or without a desktop computer. The Radiation Safety Officer will make frequent use of the telephone, e-mail, and a beeper, if desirable. Makes routine visits to each VA Maryland Health Care System division sites, and especially to Radiology Service, Medical Service, Research and Development Service, and all restricted areas designated for the purpose of radiation procedures or radioactive materials use.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/ .