Radiation Safety Officer

Radiation Safety Officer

NCH Comprehensive Health Radioactive Material licenses require that senior management designate an individual as Radiation Safety Officer (RSO). Senior management is required to supply the RSO with the necessary means, including training, to carry out the position of RSO and should work with the RSO to make sure that all conditions and compliance of the license are met. Organizations must have radioactive material licenses (RAM License) to use radioactive material. The RSO must ensure that all NCH Comprehensive Health RAMLs are up to date in terms of expiration and authorized users. Plus any radioactive material possessed by the organization agrees with the materials recorded on the license.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

– Other duties may be assigned.

• Responsible for the implementation, oversight, and management of the Radiation Policies and Procedures (RPP).
• Implement the written RPP for the NCH Comprehensive Health.
• Liaison between the licensee and the regulatory agencies.
• Serves as the Chair of the RSC and facilitate the meetings.
• Interact with regulatory agencies.
• Interact effectively with medical facility staff regarding radiation protocol.
• Ensures that radiation safety activities are being performed in accordance with licensee approved procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Develop controls to avoid mistakes in the administration of byproduct material.
• Develop procedures to prevent or minimize radioactive contamination and use proper decontamination procedures.
• Implement emergency procedures to control byproduct material.
• Organize and maintain a record-keeping system.
• Ensure doors and/or rooms and areas, containers, syringes, syringe shields are posted with the appropriate signage.
• Presents radiation safety information in a clear manner when required to administration and/or staff.
• Reviews the received radiation reports and surveys for appropriate departments, schedule violation corrections, and send in completed corrections.
• Ensures proper use of instruments used to determine the activity of dosages, survey meters, and instruments used to measure radionuclides.
• Ensures proper operation of instruments Securing and controlling byproduct radioactive material.
• Oversee that calibration and testing are performed per regulations.
• Maintains current registrations with the State of Florida for all radiation-producing equipment in the Radiology Department.
• Provide required radiation safety education to personnel.
• Develop policies for the disposal of byproduct material.
• Monitor correct use of personnel monitoring devices.
• Interprets the results of personnel monitoring and bioassay measurements.
• Advise staff of their personnel monitoring and bioassay results.
• Investigate causes of doses that exceed trigger levels.
• Help identify and investigate any radiation safety issues.
• Notify management of radiation safety issues, unsafe operations, and recommend corrective actions.
• Terminates unsafe operations.
• Establish a procedure for spills, skin, and other surface decontamination.
• Oversee dosimetry reports and acknowledgement of levels within state and federal regulations.
• Oversee annual lead apron dosimetry testing and reporting.
• Oversee radiation protection education, documentation, and training.

Education, Experience and Qualifications

Minimum of Bachelor's degree in Health Physics, Medical Physics or physical science required. Minimum one year of full-time radiation safety experience under the supervision of an individual identified as an RSO. 5 years' experience required in Nuclear Medicine. 2 years of leadership experience preferred. Satisfactory completion of a formal Nuclear Medicine Program in an approved school. Satisfactory completion of a Radiation Safety Officer's Training program in an approved school (20-40 hours). (CRT) FL Certified Radiologic Technologist with a qualification in Nuclear Medicine Technologist required. ARRT Registered in Nuclear Medicine (N) -or- Registered CNMT from NMTCB. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association. Intermediate computer knowledge: Uses Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Windows.