Manager Health Physics

Curium Pharma; Maryland Heights (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Curium Pharma in Maryland Heights, MO, is seeking a Manager Health Physics to lead the Radiation Protection Program and serve as Radiation Safety Officer for NRC licenses at the facility.

The role oversees daily operations of technical staff, conducts radiological surveys, calibrations, and environmental sampling while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and international guidelines. Travel up to 10% and periodic after-hours work may be required.

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent in radiation or physical sciences.
• ABHP or NRRPT certification preferred.
• Ability to work independently and cross-functionally.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Advanced knowledge of NRC requirements and guidance.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Health Physics staff and day-to-day operations.
• Ensure implementation of Radiation Protection Program elements.
• Coordinate resources to cover scheduled and unscheduled tasks.
• Lead cross-functional teams on radiation issues.
• Develop Radiological Work Permits for non-routine activities.
• Provide radiation safety support to projects.
• Write reports for regulatory compliance.
• Conduct regular radiological surveys and calibrations.
• Maintain program documentation and records.
• Respond to radiological incidents and implement corrective actions.
• Promote safety training and compliance.

Skills

Health Physics

Radiation Safety

NRC Regulations

Project Management

Regulatory Compliance

Technical Writing

Cross-functional Teams

Communication Skills

Independent Work

Education

Master’s degree in Radiation/Physical Sciences

Bachelor’s + 12y exp

Tools

ABHP

NRRPT

Job description

The Manager Health Physics is responsible for the implementation and management of the Radiation Protection Program and regulatory functions related to the manufacturing of radiopharmaceutical products, research and development and associated functions. The successful candidate will also function as Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) for radioactive materials licenses issued by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission at the Maryland Heights facility.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of technical personnel and perform a wide variety of complex radiological assignments to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, guidance and procedures. These actions include, but are not limited to: monitoring radiation safety compliance using key performance indicators (KPIs); proactively assessing the health of the program and taking actions to correct deficiencies; conduct regular simulations for ensuring compliance and implementation of best practices for facility modifications, design and construction of new facilities, and compliance with regulatory requirements. The candidate will perform radiological surveys, oversee the use of radioactive materials, perform instrument calibrations, conduct area, process and program audits, environmental sampling and analyses, provide personnel training and evaluate changes to facilities/process/protocols.

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday 7:00 am – 3:30 pm. There will be occasional support beyond normal work hours (i.e., off shift, weekend, night shifts, holydays) and during radiological emergencies as business needs require. Work from home is expected to be sporadic during personal emergencies and at the discretion of the Director of the Radiation Safety Office. Travel up to 10%.

Summary of Position

The Manager Health Physics is responsible for the implementation and management of the Radiation Protection Program and regulatory functions related to the manufacturing of radiopharmaceutical products, research and development and associated functions. The successful candidate will also function as Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) for radioactive materials licenses issued by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission at the Maryland Heights facility.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of technical personnel and perform a wide variety of complex radiological assignments to ensure compliance with applicable regulations, guidance and procedures. These actions include, but are not limited to: monitoring radiation safety compliance using key performance indicators (KPIs); proactively assessing the health of the program and taking actions to correct deficiencies; conduct regular simulations for ensuring compliance and implementation of best practices for facility modifications, design and construction of new facilities, and compliance with regulatory requirements. The candidate will perform radiological surveys, oversee the use of radioactive materials, perform instrument calibrations, conduct area, process and program audits, environmental sampling and analyses, provide personnel training and evaluate changes to facilities/process/protocols.

Essential Functions

• Supervise Health Physics staff and their day-to-day operations.
• Ensure the implementation of assigned elements of the Radiation Protection Program.
• Responsible for scheduling department resources to ensure appropriate coverage of scheduled and unscheduled tasks.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to address issues associated with the radiation protection program.
• Provide assessments of radiological impact of new facilities and facility modifications.
• Consult with users about radiation protection issues.
• Rotating on-call assignments.
• Inspect and audit operations involving the use of radioactive materials to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, corporate and site policies, permits, procedures. Recommend and implement corrective actions when appropriate.
• Develop and implement Radiological Work Permits for non-routine radiological activities.
• Provide radiation safety support to assigned projects.
• Lead projects related to radiation safety.
• Write technical reports for regulatory compliance or project support.
• Conduct regular radiological surveys on site-wide facilities to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Conduct instrument calibrations, leak test of radiation-emitting sources, environmental sampling and analysis of radiological samples.
• Generate and maintain appropriate documentation and record keeping in accordance with program documentation requirements.
• Perform radiological incident investigations and present results to the Director Health Physics and Radiation Safety Committee. Recommend and implement corrective actions where appropriate.
• Promote and implement safety programs to maintain a safe working environment through training, awareness, and compliance to policies, programs and procedures.
• Develop, implement and review Standard Operating Procedures relative to the safe use of radioactive materials and regulatory compliance.
• Review proposed regulations and evaluate potential program impacts.
• Provide radiological support to emergency conditions and response.
• Maintain compliance to federal, state, local, and industry radiation protection regulations.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Must maintain operational compliance with US and international regulatory agencies and guidelines (i.e. FDA, EU, HC, TGA, PIC/S, ISO, USP, NRC, cGMP, etc.).

Requirements

• Master degree or equivalent certification in radiation or physical sciences; OR, Bachelor degree or equivalent AND twelve years of professional-level radiation safety experience; OR, any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
• Certification from the American Board of Health Physics or National Registry of Radiation Protection Technicians is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and cross-functionally.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Advanced knowledge of radiation, health physics principles, and math.
• Advance knowledge of U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requirements and guidance and their implementation.
• Project Management experience.
• Laboratory experience.
• Technical writing experience.
• Advanced knowledge of cyclotron operations.
• Advanced knowledge of sample collection and analyses for NRC compliance.
• Advanced knowledge of industry best practices for radiation safety and their implementation.

Working Conditions

• Willingness to work in plant producing radioactive materials and requiring all employees to participate in safety programs designed to minimize potential and/or actual exposure levels.
• Responsibilities include the ability to lift up to 70 pounds, kneeling, crouching, twisting the upper body, walking, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, reaching, must be able to physically negotiate stairs and evacuation ladders with or without accommodation, wear and operate safety equipment, enter vessels, and inspect equipment.
• Material handling devices (e.g., hand truck, fork truck, and conveyors) are used when possible, however, use of proper lifting and movement techniques is necessary to prevent injury.
• Must be willing to wear a variety of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and hearing protection as needed.
• May be required to sit or stand for long periods of 8+ hours a day while performing duties.
• Must possess good hand-eye coordination; close attention to detail is required.
• Must be able to work indoors and outdoors with exposure to mechanical/moving parts, hazards including corrosive, flammable and toxic material, dust, dirt, odors, and irritants.
• Willingness to complete safety training within allotted timeframes, and work in a team-based environment.
• Must be able to work outside of regular work hours, including off shift, weekend, and holiday work as business needs require.