Associate Health Physicist

• 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:
• Salary Range: 65,000 - 75,000

Position Summary

Reporting to, and under the supervision of the Radiation Safety Officer, Director, Research Radiation Safety Program, the Associate Health Physicist is responsible for routine health physics functions and duties relating to the implementation of radiation safety programs and the Environmental Health and Safety departmental mission. This position provides radiological and related support services to a variety of Columbia University campuses and affiliates.

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

Responsibilities

• Assisting the Health Physicist(s), Senior Health Physicist(s), and Radiation Safety Officer;
• 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 to ensure compliance with applicable rules and regulations;
• Reviewing and interpreting radiation protection audit/survey/inspection results and recommending corrective and preventative actions;
• Performing appropriate surveys for non-clinical x-ray-producing equipment, including x-ray irradiators, x-ray diffraction systems, and radiographic equipment for non-human use;
• Maintaining inventories and performing routine quality control measurements of radiation detection instruments, sealed source radioactive materials, and radiation emitting devices;
• Assisting with survey meter calibration by supervising outside vendors to ensure survey meters are calibrated in a timely manner
• Performing and documenting receipt surveys of incoming radioactive material shipments and distributing shipments of radioactive materials to researchers;
• Performing surveys and decontamination of radioactive material use areas;
• Performing clearances of laboratories and animal surveys prior to disposal;
• Conducting bioassays including urinalysis and thyroid uptake counting;
• Responding to radioactive material spills and other radiation emergencies;
• Assisting laboratory personnel in using database system to manage audit findings, permits, inventory and wastes
• Assisting with the radioactive waste program, including managing waste storage and preparing radioactive waste for disposal;
• Preparing and generating routine reports;
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a physical, biological or other related science. A minimum of one (1) year demonstrated experience in radiation protection or a closely related field.

Preferred Qualifications

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.

Other Requirements

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 preferred. 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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