Chief Health Physicist

Yale New Haven Health; New Haven (CT); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Yale New Haven Health seeks a seasoned Radiation Safety Officer to lead the radiation safety department for Yale New Haven Hospital and affiliated facilities. You will oversee ALARA program implementation, regulatory compliance, budget oversight, and strategic guidance to executive leadership.

The role requires a minimum of seven to ten years in radiation safety with RSO experience, NRC criteria, and strong leadership and communication skills to collaborate with regulators and clinical teams.

Qualifications

• Minimum seven to ten years in radiation safety with at least three years as Radiation Safety Officer or Associate RSO.
• Must meet Nuclear Regulatory Commission criteria for RSO of a Type A Broad Scope License.
• Ability to qualify for NRC Trustworthy and Reliable.

Responsibilities

• Provide managerial oversight and leadership to the radiation safety department.
• Oversee the operational aspects of the radiation protection program and audit program.
• Interpret regulatory standards and communicate changes to leadership and end users.
• Provide radiation protection technical expertise to stakeholders and ensure compliance.
• Advise leadership on NRC regulations and licensing actions.
• Serve on the Radiation Safety Committee and update on RPP implementation.
• Advise IRB regarding use of radiation in human subjects research.
• Implement NRC security regulations (10 CFR 37) and program assessment.
• Ensure training for personnel using radiation and radioactive materials.

Skills

Program management

Leadership

Communication

Microsoft Office

Regulatory compliance

Interpersonal skills

Education

Masters or PhD in health physics/medical physics/radiological physics

Job description

Overview

To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values — integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion — must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day. The incumbent manages the department of radiation safety and serves as the Radiation Safety Officer for Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH) and affiliated licensed facilities. To fulfill the job duties, the incumbent supervises a team of health physicists and technicians. The manager and the radiation safety team have responsibility for the radiation safety programs at both YNHH and Bridgeport Hospital (BH). The RSO is responsible for the implementation, coordination, and day‑to‑day oversight of the radiation protection program. This includes ensuring compliance with Federal and State regulations and license conditions related to the use of radioactive materials and radiation‑producing devices. The RSO advises hospital administration on strategic plans for the implementation of the Radiation Protection Program (RPP). Establishes and advises on radiation safety and operational policies, procedures, and goals. Develops annual budgets and approves expenditures. Serves in an advisory capacity to organizational stakeholders for all accreditation and licensure surveys. Serves on the Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) and works closely with the RSC Chair to ensure the effective management of the RSC.

EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran

EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran.

Responsibilities

• Provide managerial oversight and leadership to the YNHH radiation safety department to achieve departmental and organizational goals. Implement and oversee the operational aspects of the radiation protection program. Review, approve, and communicate changes to the RPP with appropriate leaders and end users prior to implementation. Develop and oversee an audit program to assess the effectiveness of the RPP.
• Ensure that radiation safety activities are being performed in accordance with approved policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. Review and interpret new and amended regulatory standards for communication to leadership and implementation in the RPP. Provide radiation protection technical expertise to organizational stakeholders. Review, approve, and communicate changes to the RPP with appropriate leaders and end users prior to implementation.
• Communicate risks and mitigations to leadership. Interpret and explain applicable NRC and other state and federal regulations, guidelines, policies and procedures as they relate to clinical operations.
• Responsible for the oversight and implementation of a comprehensive ALARA program to include exposure controls to occupational workers and members of the public. Establishes oversight and program controls to manage internal exposures, external exposures, and skin contamination events and ensures proper documentation of evaluations and dose assignments.
• Serve as primary liaison with regulatory agencies during licensing actions and inspections related to licensed activities.
• Serve as a member of the Radiation Safety Committee, providing updates on the implementation of the RPP, highlighting issues, and recommending actions.
• Advise the Institutional Review Board regarding use of radiation in human subjects research, including the review of clinical trial protocols that involve radiation.
• Implementation and review of NRC security regulations and requirements (10 CFR 37) including program assessment.
• Ensure the design and delivery of appropriate training to individuals involved in the use of radiation and radioactive materials.

Education

Masters or PhD degree in health physics, medical physics, radiological physics, or closely related field.

Experience

A minimum of seven to ten years’ experience in radiation safety with at least three years experience serving as Radiation Safety Officer or Associate Radiation Safety Officer. Previous experience as RSO for a broad scope medical license is preferred. Minimum of two years’ experience supervising staff. Must meet Nuclear Regulatory Commission criteria for RSO of a Type A Broad Scope License. Must be able to qualify for NRC Trustworthy and Reliable.

Licensure

Desired: Certification by American Board of Health Physics or American Board of Medical Physics.

Special Skills

Excellent program management, change management, logical problem‑solving, consensus‑building, and leadership skills. Strong interpersonal skills with an emphasis on effective communication and proven ability to interact successfully with internal stakeholders in a diverse population at all levels as well as with external stakeholders such as regulatory agencies and peer institutions. High proficiency in Microsoft Office suite including preparing, organizing, facilitating, and presenting to leadership. Knowledge of hazards, shielding, and mitigation strategies for radiation and radioactive materials used in clinical and research operations.

Physical Demand

Must be able to lift 50 pounds.