Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in environmental, natural, or applied science, or related field and 7 years of related experience. 24- or 40-hour HAZWOPER certification within 6 months of hire is required. ***Must have a valid Texas driver's license and be able to operate a UTMB vehicle.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master’s degree in environmental, natural, or applied science, health physics, or related field with 7 years of related experience. Eligible to serve as Radiation Safety Officer for medical x-ray and Laser Safety Officer for laser use in Texas. Eligible to serve as Associate Radiation Safety Officer on broad scope radioactive material license. One or more of the following licenses or certifications:
- Certified Health Physicist (CHP)
- Licensed Medical Physicist (LMP) in Medical Health Physics
- Certified Laser Safety Officer (CLSO)
- Certified Medical Laser Safety Officer (CMLSO)
- Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM)
- Certified Healthcare Facilities Manager (CHFM)
- Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
- Certified industrial Hygienist (CIH)
- Registered Environmental Manager (REM)
Job Summary:
Provides advanced professional knowledge and expertise to develop and support staff members within the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) department.
Job Responsibilities:
This position will be responsible for the general operations of Radiation Safety at UTMB with a team of 2 direct reports, including organization and management of RAM license, X-ray registration, dosimetry program oversight, laser registration and hazard evaluation, and committee reporting. Other responsibilities will include policy development, performance trending, and reporting.
- Ensure UTMB campuses and clinics meet all radiation safety regulatory requirements as measured through audits and compliance inspections by both internal and external agencies.
- Provide technical, team lead support to junior staff, including coaching and oversight on matters related to radioactive material, machine-produced radiation, lasers, and MRI safety.
- Supervises, coaches, develops, and evaluates assigned direct reports.
- Initiates audits, shielding designs, and verifications to develop and ensure administrative and engineering controls are appropriate for the level of risk and design of the facility.
- Monitors effectiveness of multidisciplinary problem resolution activities.
- Initiates benchmarking activities.
- Coordinates agency (Texas DSHS) audits.
- Recognizes politics associated with various aspects of the multidisciplinary projects.
- Anticipates, develops, and implements methods needed to remain state of the art in the field.
- Develops others through assignments, formal training, or other experiences - Assists staff with how answers are derived.
- Keeps current in the field and immediately utilizes and applies new information fully.
- Identifies problems or non-compliance issues such as dosimetry exceedances, lost or unsecured sources, and documentation errors. Knows, understands, and identifies all areas of expertise needed to resolve problems and then coordinates a team of those with needed expertise.
- Monitors and takes actions on projects to ensure completion.
- Provides expert knowledge of radiological use in medical and research areas: nuclear medicine and PET, radiation oncology and brachytherapy, radiopharmaceuticals, irradiators, fluoroscopy, and diagnostic X-ray.
- Recommends and/or develops action plans for problem resolution.
- Constantly seeks opportunities for process improvement.
- Reviews proposed state and federal regulations (25 TAC 289 and 10 CFR) and develops appropriate comments to be conveyed to UTMB, UT System, and external regulatory agencies.
- Fosters an environment of trust and continuous development with cross-functional partners and external clients through reliable execution and standard-aligned program management.
- Chairs or participates in committees and subcommittees (Radiation Safety Committee, Laser Safety Committee, and MR Safety Committee) and leads task forces.
- Acts as a Health and Safety advisor to non-safety-related committees.
- Provides specific positive feedback to aid in the development of others. Expresses positive expectations for future performance.
- Interprets rules, regulations, and guidelines with scientific knowledge and analytical methods to conclude appropriate decisions that may be considered innovative or leading edge.
- Coordinates and provides an interface for multidisciplinary functions within EHS and across all UTMB Health properties.
- Participates in emergency on-call program.
- Adheres to internal controls and reporting structure.
- Oversees sealed-source inventory, leak testing, and Part 37 security
- Supports radioactive waste management program, including decay-in-storage and disposal
- Performs or coordinates shielding design & evaluations for new or modified rooms
- Conducts fluoroscopy and diagnostic X-ray compliance reviews, including maintaining inventories and tracking physicist EPEs
- Serves as Radiation Safety Officer for X-ray and Mammography
- Serves as Associate Radiation Safety Officer for Broad Scope medical license
- Serves as Institutional Laser Safety Officer
- Performs related duties as required.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Detailed experience with radiation site audits, inspections, and routine surveys, including the developing and drafting of audit documentation, tracking corrective actions, and monitoring results through completion of audit activities.
- Deliver policies and procedures to the Program Director and RSO that maintain compliance with radiation regulations.
- Conduct improvement projects with the scope of the University business Analytical/interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated ability to train employees on the regulatory standards applicable to the facility.
- Ability to instruct employees on internal radiation safety policy and procedures.
- Delivers radiation safety training that has been identified for new and existing employees.
- Demonstrates full knowledge and support of radiation safety policies and regulations.
Decision Making Responsibilities:
Responsible for closing or stopping any unsafe work conditions. Responsible for reporting and all compliance discrepancies to Program Director. Responsible for directing daily work activities of direct reports to achieve departmental and programmatic goals.
Working Environment/ Equipment:
- Exposure to hazardous and potentially unsafe conditions.
- Works with hazardous chemical and radioactive materials in dangerous conditions
- Exposure to all weather conditions.
- Exposure to standard office conditions.
- Use of manual dexterity.
- Climbing stairs.
- Overtime work.
- Work in a dynamic, multi-task environment.
- Have direct customer contact.
- Work under stress.
- Work as a team member.
- Work under pressure deadlines.
- Work with sensitive and confidential information.
- Works with hazardous materials in dangerous conditions
Salary Range:
Actual salary commensurate with experience.
Other Specific job requirements or physical location of some positions allocated to this classification may render this position security sensitive, and thereby subject to the provisions of Section 51.215, Texas Education Code. Eligible for unescorted access to category 1 and category 2 quantities of radioactive material based upon a trustworthiness and reliability determination (25 TAC §289.252/10 CFR Part 37).
Equal Employment Opportunity UTMB Health strives to provide equal opportunity employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. As a Federal Contractor, UTMB Health takes affirmative action to hire and advance protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
