Health Physicist (Radiation Safety)

Veterans Health Administration; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 116,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework eligible

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration in Louisville, KY, seeks a Radiation Safety Officer to oversee the radiation safety program at the Robley Rex VA Medical Center. The role ensures regulatory compliance, safety training, and proper handling of radioactive materials.

The incumbent will manage radiation surveys, waste disposal, and equipment safety, while guiding staff on ALARA principles across clinical settings. Telework is possible under VA policies.

Qualifications

• Transcript must be submitted with your application if qualification includes education.
• If using foreign education, you must submit a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript.
• Telework may be authorized; relocation/commuting may be required for the duty location.

Responsibilities

• Establishes and implements written policy and procedures for: authorizing purchase of radioactive materials; receiving and opening packages of radioactive material; storing radioactive material; maintaining inventory records; using radioactive materials safely; conducting radiation surveys and containment checks.
• Manages waste disposal for all users of radioactivity and instructs personnel on ALARA, safety procedures, disposal policy, and regulatory compliance.
• Investigates overexposures, ALARA exceptions, accidents, spills, thefts, unauthorized receipts or uses, and implements corrective actions; maintains inventory records and surveys for all facilities and sources.
• Ensures all x-ray producing equipment is inspected for safe operation and regulatory compliance with FDA standards, The Joint Commission, and VA NHPP requirements.
• Provides radiation safety support for clinical therapeutic cases involving radiopharmaceuticals or brachytherapy, including training, monitoring, surveys and release of facilities.

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

This position is located at the Robley Rex VA Medical Center in Louisville, KY. The Medical Physicist functions as the Radiation Safety Officer and is responsible for the radiation safety program to assure that guidelines are followed and policy is executed.

Key Responsibilities

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Duties may include, but are not limited to the following: Establishes and implements written policy and procedures for: authorizing purchase of radioactive materials; receiving and opening packages of radioactive material; storing radioactive material; maintaining inventory records of radioactive material; using radioactive materials safely; emergency actions in the event of loss or theft of radioactive material; performing periodic radiation survey (area and contamination), etc.

Manages waste disposal for all users of radioactivity. Instructs as needed all personnel using sources of radioactive material, but not less than once annually, concerning the ALARA program, safety procedures, disposal policy and procedures and compliance with regulations and local policy and procedures.

Investigates overexposures, ALARA exceptions, accidents, spills, thefts, unauthorized receipts, uses, transfers, disposals, medical events, and any other deviation from approved radiation safety practice and implements corrective actions as necessary. Maintains inventory records and performs required surveys and wipe tests for all facilities and sources assigned to the Radiation Safety Office.

Ensures all x-ray producing equipment in the VAMC is inspected for safe operation, compliance with applicable FDA performance and safety standards and compliance with other accepted standards, including The Joint Commission, and standards established by the VA NHPP for quality performance and quality control.

Maintains written records of all activities of the Radiation Safety Office including training, facility and equipment inspections, calibrations, and such other records required to meet regulatory requirements and demonstrate the implementation of an effective radiation safety program.

Provides radiation safety support for each clinical therapeutic case utilizing a radiopharmaceutical or brachytherapy including instruction to nursing staff, monitoring, surveying and source accountability, decontamination and release of facilities for general use. Performs other related duties as assigned.

DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received.

NOTE: Intermittent employment is defined as non-fulltime employment in which employees serve under an excepted or competitive service appointment without a regularly scheduled tour of duty. A position with an intermittent work schedule is sporadic and unpredictable so that a tour of duty cannot be regularly scheduled in advance. Intermittent positions offer health insurance only if the employee is expected to work at least 130 hours per month for at least 90 days.

NOTE: This is a TEMPORARY appointment (not-to-exceed 1 year). This appointment may be renewed for additional service in accordance with Agency needs for 1 additional year. Temporary positions offer health insurance (if the employee is expected to work at least 130 hours per month for at least 90 days) but do not offer life insurance or retirement benefits and may be terminated at any time before the expiration date.

The appointment to a Temporary position does not confer eligibility for promotion or reassignment to other positions or the ability to be non-competitively converted to permanent employment. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

Requirements & Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. NOTE: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $89508 – $116362/yr.

Is this position remote or telework eligible?

This position is eligible for telework.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-19.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Public' hiring path.