• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule: Mon - Fri 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Building: 617 West 168th Street, 2nd Flr
• Salary Range: 100,000-115,000

Position Summary

Reporting to, and under the general direction of, the Radiation Safety Officer/ Associate Director, Clinical Radiation Safety Program, the Senior Health Physicist is responsible for health physics functions and duties relating to the implementation of radiation safety programs and the Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) departmental mission. The Senior Health Physicist is responsible for providing advanced consultation and technical direction to Radiation Safety, EH&S, and EH&S customers, with respect to the safe use of radioactive materials and radiation-producing devices. This position provides radiological and related support services to a variety of local and off-site Columbia University, New York Presbyterian Hospital and New York State Psychiatric Institute facilities.

SUBJECT TO BUSINESS NEEDS, WE MAY SUPPORT FLEXIBLE AND HYBRID WORK ARRANGEMENTS. OPTIONS WILL BE DISCUSSED DURING THE INTERVIEW PROCESS

Responsibilities

• Assisting the Associate Director, Clinical Radiation Safety Program.
• Supervising and directing the activities of Associate Health Physicist(s) and Health Physicist(s) as assigned.
• Providing advice and consultation regarding the safe use of radioactive materials and/or radiation-producing equipment in accordance with applicable local, state and federal regulations, best practices and appropriate Columbia University policies and procedures.
• Providing technical guidance to projects and programs to ensure compliance with applicable rules, regulations and laws.
• Performing dose calculations and providing radiation safety consultations to occupationally exposed individuals, patients receiving therapeutic administrations of radioactive materials, and patients exposed to elevated levels of radiation during their procedure.
• Investigating, analyzing and recommending corrective and preventive actions following medical events, incidents and dosimeter. exposures exceeding established limits.
• Providing training to scientific, medical, nursing, faculty, staff, students, and other related clinical or research personnel in the safe use of radioactive materials and radiation emitting devices.
• Providing on-the-job training and direction to EH&S and other personnel.
• Developing new and innovative training programs as needs arise.
• Performing and documenting radiation protection audits, surveys, and inspections of rooms, departments, areas, or facilities where radioactive materials and/or radiation-producing equipment are used.
• Reviewing and interpreting radiation protection audit/survey/inspection results and recommending corrective and preventative actions.
• Maintaining inventories of radiation detection instruments, sealed source radioactive materials, and radiation emitting devices.
• Performing and documenting receipt surveys of incoming radioactive material shipments.
• Performing surveys and decontamination of radioactive material use areas.
• Responding to radioactive material spills and other radiation emergencies, to include evaluating and executing corrective measures.
• Collecting, surveying, and processing of radioactive material waste.
• Preparing and generating routine and specialized reports.
• Performing in-depth radiation protection audits, surveys, and inspections of clinical x-ray use and radioactive material use programs.
• Providing radiation protection consultations to occupationally exposed individuals, patients receiving therapeutic administrations of radioactive materials, and patients exposed to elevated levels of radiation during their procedure.
• Providing health physics support for diagnostic and therapeutic administration of radiation in nuclear medicine, nuclear cardiology, radiation oncology, cardiac catheterization laboratory, interventional radiology, surgery, dentistry, PET, medical/surgical nursing units, and other clinical radiation use areas.
• Conducting surveys on radiation-protective equipment, including fixtures, devices, and personal protective equipment under supervision.
• Measuring and documenting radiation levels around patients receiving therapeutic treatments.
• Performing appropriate surveys for clinical x-ray producing equipment, including x-ray irradiators, radiographic, or fluoroscopic equipment for human use.
• Following and enforcing HIPAA regulations.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a physical, biological or other related science. A Master's degree in health physics, medical physics, or other related science, or equivalent in training and experience is preferred. A minimum of four (4) years demonstrated progressive experience in radiation protection or a closely related field. Certification or eligibility for certification by the American Board of Health Physics, the American Board of Medical Physics, the American Board of Radiology, or an equivalent certifying body is required. Demonstrated advanced knowledge of radiation physics, principles and practices of radiation protection, survey instrumentation and analysis and applicable rules, regulations and laws governing the safe use of radioactive materials and radiation-producing equipment. Requirements also include: excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal; excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage deadlines; ability to relate to all levels of personnel in a collaborative manner; demonstrated ability to set priorities, work with diplomacy and efficiency in a pressured environment, and the maturity to carry out activities with minimum supervision. The candidate must be detail oriented, with computer literacy to include knowledge of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Knowledge of university and/or hospital culture is preferred. Ability to lift 50 pounds and manipulate a full 55-gallon/400 pound drum using a drum cart. Ability to wear a respirator.

Preferred Qualifications

• Type preferred qualifications

Other Requirements

• Type other requirements and/or special indicators if CUIMC

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.