Careers in Quality

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:

The Occupational and Environmental Safety Office (OESO) provides the focus for the administration of all safety programs to Duke University, Duke University Medical Center, and Duke University Health System. OESO has the responsibility for developing institutional safety plans and policies; providing information and training to meet all regulatory requirements; providing technical consultation and guidance; conducting exposure and risk assessments; conducting safety audits; monitoring compliance with all safety policies; and investigating accidents, injuries, and reported unsafe conditions.

Specific to Radiation Safety Division:

The Radiation Safety Division provides guidance and oversight to users of radiation-producing devices and radioactive material on campus, in the Medical Center, in the Medical School, at the accelerator facilities, and at Duke University affiliated medical facilities. In addition, the Radiation Safety Division provides support to the Radioactive Waste Program and provides oversight for the Laser Safety Program.

Primary Purpose of Position: Provide support to radiation safety programs at DUMC and Duke University campuses. Primary duties are related to compliance with regulations governing the use of radioactive materials and machine-produced radiation.

General Duties and Responsibilities

In addition to the primary duties, the Safety and Health Specialist II will:

• Conduct laboratory audits and surveys on Duke campus.

• Conduct audits and surveys at Duke accelerator facilities, and Duke Marine Lab.

• Patient room preparation and decontamination/release after use.

• Perform and document radiation measurements related to medical treatment or diagnostic procedures involving radio-isotopes. Follow procedures for documenting patient information in medical charts.

• Determine conditions for patient isolation and release following criteria for specific procedures.

• Conduct confidential patient and family interviews prior to administration of radio-isotopes.

• Interact with and advise medical personnel on radiation safety precautions around patients undergoing brachytherapy or treatment with radio-pharmaceuticals.

• Ensure packaging, removal, monitoring, transportation and storage of radioactive waste generated by patients.

• Advise Pathology staff of radiation safety aspects if body of deceased patient contains radio-pharmaceuticals or brachytherapy sources.

• Implement radiation safety measures (area posting, roping off, decontamination, etc.) based on interpretation of measured dose rates or contamination levels.

• Perform calibrations and operational checks of radiation survey meters.

• Deploy and retrieve passive area and environmental monitors (badges) as part of a regular quarterly or monthly program, or as directed by the responsible Health Physicist in special cases.

• Decommissioning of lab equipment for disposal or surplus, removal of radioactive sources from devices such as Liquid Scintillation Counter and Moisture Gauges.

• Maintain inventory of sealed radiation sources, perform regular swipe checks or leak tests.

• Check and maintain radioactive waste monitors.

• Respond to radioactive waste monitors alarm calls.

• Oversee shipment of radiopharmaceuticals, brachytherapy and other sealed sources.

• Maintain thyroid bioassay database, conduct interviews when event action levels are exceeded.

• Maintain regulatory documentation of clinical and research X-ray machines and compliance with State regulations regarding machine-produced radiation. Perform and document post-installation shielding evaluations.

• Perform Quality Control measurements and inspections of X-ray installations on Duke University campus, Duke University Medical Center, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital and outlying clinics. Document results in appropriate reports.

• Maintain program documentation for clinical and research lasers and conduct physical inventory of equipment.

• Prepare paperwork for license amendments.

• Perform and document post-installation shielding evaluations.

• Assist with in-service training provided by the RS Division.

• RAM ordering and coordination of RAM package processing; package receiving, delivery, survey and documentation.

• Perform contamination assessment using survey meters, liquid scintillation and gamma spectroscopy techniques.

• Provide technical assistance to users of RAM and radiation producing devices in areas of radiation survey equipment, survey methods, waste issues, contamination control, etc.

• Respond to Duke personnel inquiries related to radiation safety.

• Respond to spills, waste contamination and other radiological emergencies.

• Conduct backup tasks and other radiation safety duties as assigned by superiors.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws and regulations pertaining to radiation safety.

• Ability to utilize computer technology to access data, maintain records, generate reports.

• Creative problem solving to recognize and analyze needs and design programs to effectively address them.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to plan and coordinate multiple, diverse assignments simultaneously. 

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Health Physics, Occupational Health and Safety, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Engineering, or related field.

Experience:
Three years of experience

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification:
Valid driver's license.
 

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

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About Duke University Health System

As a world-class academic and health care system, Duke Health strives to transform medicine and health locally and globally through innovative scientific research, rapid translation of breakthrough discoveries, educating future clinical and scientific leaders, advocating and practicing evidence-based medicine to improve community health, and leading efforts to eliminate health inequalities.

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