Associate Health Physicist

Independently perform a wide range of tasks related to the implementation of radiation safety services including RSS permit review, security audits, surveys, inspection support, accident investigation, and respond to emergencies.

As a member of the Radiation Safety Services’ team, Associate Health Physicists (AHPs) provide technical expertise and professional guidance for the safe use of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation at Harvard University. Under the direction of the Assistant Radiation Safety Officer, Associate Health Physicists are responsible for ensuring the safe use, storage, and disposal of radioactive material (RAM) and radiation emitting devices (ionizing and non-ionizing) throughout the University campus locations. Associate Health Physicists interact directly with researchers in the Harvard laboratories and use independent judgment to support researchers. Associate Health Physicists are expected to exhibit and promote awareness and sensitivity to safety issues and ‘As Low As Reasonably Achievable’ (ALARA) principles in a positive manner throughout their day-to-day work in Harvard labs and buildings. 

Job-Specific Responsibilities

• Perform routine and job specific radiological surveillance: Determine appropriate detection methodology based on lab-specific isotope use. Monitor all RAM areas via routine surveys using dose-rate and contamination meters and analyze results. Maintain compliance with correct postings of radiological postings or warning devices. Perform technical and analytical decontamination activities when necessary.
• Accept RAM shipments and deliver RAM to laboratories: Survey in-bound shipments of RAM, sealed sources, and equipment, to ensure compliance with regulatory, procedural, and license requirements. Deliver RAM to laboratories.
• Maintain rigorous records: In a timely manner, document all inspections, radiological surveys, meter calibrations, meter QC checks, sample results, package receipt records, and shipping records for regulatory compliance.
• Conduct Permit Inspections: Conduct inspections of laboratories for the safe storage, use and disposal of radiation sources including review of safety equipment, designated work spaces, training for authorized users, standard operating procedures, and other required documentation.
• RAM waste processing and disposal: Qualify as a hazmat shipper and aid with the shipment of radioactive materials. Aggregate laboratory RAM waste and determine appropriate disposal method.
• Participate in the non-ionizing Radiation Safety Program: Provide services to non-ionizing safety program, including laser hazard analysis surveys and permit reviews.
• Interface with Harvard researchers: Act as a point of contact for assigned laboratories or buildings; providing assistance, direction, and oversight in matters involving radiation protection and safety compliance. Assist researchers in finding solutions to problems in a manner that demonstrates sensitivity to both their primary objectives and radiation protection.
• Develop a wide range of Health Physics skills: Become proficient at the operation of various radiation instrumentation, computer systems, and techniques used for measurement, storage, analysis and processing of radiological data.
• Develop working knowledge of EHS Program: Understand the structure and function of all areas of EHS. Maintain familiarity with and participate in emergency cross training procedures.
• Develop Standard Operating Procedures: Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures for the Radiation Safety Program.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervision/management.

Physical Requirements:

Must have sufficient mobility, dexterity, and endurance to perform emergency response activities and field visits and frequently walk up and down stairs. Must be capable of lifting 50 pounds and maneuvering large equipment. Must be capable of using personal protective equipment and monitoring equipment and entering areas housing research animals, biological agents, or chemicals. Must be able to access any area of the University to perform inspections, job safety assessments, emergency response, etc.