GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS
The RADIATION PROTECTION TECHNOLOGIST 3 uses knowledge of Federal and State laws and regulations and radiation
safety principles to assist in the evaluation and control of hazardous or unsafe radiological health and safety
conditions. Duties include: perform non routine tests; conduct complex surveys and inspections of departments,
laboratories, and clinics where radioactive material and machines are used; recommend corrective action to assure
compliance with health and safety codes; give advice to agency and department administrators and implement or interpret
policies pertaining to radiation safety programs (e.g., radiation material handling, emergency response procedures,
and dosimetry programs).
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
This is the third in a three-level series. It is distinguished from the lower levels by the responsibility to
perform non routine tests conduct complex inspections, analyze data, and exercise independent scientific judgment
in making recommendations on the application of test findings where the impact of decisions for noncompliance situations
may result in restriction of departmental operations, laboratory processes, or a clinical function, give advice
to agency and department administrators and implement or interpret policies pertaining to radiation safety programs
(e.g., radiation material handling, emergency response procedures, and dosimetry programs). At this level, an error
in judgment while performing the job duties could result in serious but non lethal injuries to the employee and
or a small group of people.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Allocation of positions to this class will depend on the total work performed which may include one or a combination
of the duties or tasks listed below. All duties must be performed in strict accordance with agency procedures.
Some positions may occasionally perform these duties as part of an environmental health and safety program.
- Program Compliance. Typical tasks: employees perform the following duties for department operations,
entire laboratory processes, and whole clinic functions, and the impact of the decisions for noncompliance situations
may result in restriction or closure of a department or section of a department: conducts complex surveys or collects
samples without cross contamination, using special test equipment to determine contamination levels or potential
health hazards; performs non routine tests for new and complex procedures; conducts complex inspections of work
sites with radiation producing equipment or sites using or storing radioactive or other hazardous materials to
determine compliance with Federal and State laws; performs calculations and analyzes data; exercises independent
scientific judgment in making recommendations on the application of test findings; monitors adherence to safety
regulations, policy and exposure standards, and use of protective equipment; evaluates procedures in use to determine
if corrective action needs to be taken to ensure a safe workplace; collects accident data; prepares reports recommending
corrective action and lists methods and time frame for compliance; conducts follow-up inspections to ensure corrective
action has been completed and informs supervisor of any noncompliance situations; responds to all radiological
health and safety emergency situations; monitors on-site cleanup of a contaminated area or assists as needed in
the response to accident situations by investigating causes; inspects international shipments to ensure compliance
with all international rules; assists health physicist in broad and complex organizational reviews.
- Program Administration. Typical tasks: develops training programs for new and revised complex procedures;
conducts training sessions; assists in developing emergency response procedures; give information, advice, and
assistance to agency and department administrators and implements or interprets policies pertaining to radiation
safety programs; performs technical analysis of current health related issues and presents results in written and
oral form; assist in the planning and operation of the radiation safety programs; prepares correspondence; explains
practical application of Federal and State laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to the safe operation of equipment
or handling of hazardous materials; responds to, investigates, and resolves complaints concerning radiation health
and safety issues; prepares activity status report and presents to supervisor; provides instruction to lower level
personnel.
- Dosimetry Program. Typical tasks: performs whole body external dose calculations; performs internal
dose calculations of radionuclide activities or concentrations; performs or coordinates the performance of the
following duties: distribute and collect dosimetric devices; inspects to assure compliance with regulations that
pertain to use of and exposure to radioactive materials; ensures that program standards are being met and responds
when radiation doses are outside normal limits; submits a plan of corrective action to supervisor; issue reports
as requested.
- Material Handling and Equipment Maintenance. Typical tasks: collects, packages, labels, and ships radioactive
materials that are both radioactive and chemical, or biological hazards in accordance with Federal and State regulations;
receives inspects for compliance with regulations, and delivers radioactive material shipments; prepares proper
shipping papers; calibrates specialized radiological instruments.
RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS
Employees in this class have daily regular contact with technical or professional staff to conduct complex inspections,
conduct training sessions, and consult with administration on radiation issues. There will be frequent contact
with State and Federal governmental agencies, and private industry to discuss issues that are often proprietary
in nature.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Employees in this class work under general supervision of an administrative supervisor. Test data, findings,
reports, and recommendations are reviewed occasionally for conformance to agency policy and industry standards.
Records are reviewed for quality control. Guidelines used in performance of duties include standard operating procedures,
established methods manuals, technical references, and appropriate institutional licenses, plus State regulations
and Federal statutes.
GENERAL INFORMATION
These positions are found in regulatory agencies or educational institutions located throughout the state. They
require willingness to work between highly informed technical people and often misinformed and irritated members
of the public. They require the willingness to work with radioactive materials where there is danger of potential
exposure if guidelines are not followed.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- A Bachelor's degree with courses in the physical or biological sciences;
AND
- Three years of experience
in radiation health which included applying federal and state laws, regulations, and radiation safety principles
to evaluate and control hazardous or unsafe radiological health and safety conditions; OR
- Four years of
experience performing the above duties.
- Completion of special training sponsored by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
or one year of graduate
training in Health Physics, Radiation Biology, Nuclear Physics, or Nuclear Engineering may substitute for
one year
of the required experience.
