RADIATION PHYSICIST 3 MAMMOGRAPHY UNIT

Code: 59980C Unknown Unknown

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under general supervision of a higher level supervisor in the Department of Environmental Protection, supervises, organizes and coordinates radiological surveys and inspections; organizes and supervises the evaluation of the Quality Assurance Program of mammography facilities, the evaluation of credentials of interpreting physicians, mammography technologists, and medical physicists providing service at mammography facilities, and the valuation of medical reports and medical audit system at mammography facilities; supervises staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Prepares proposals for contracts and evaluates and approves billing vouchers for submission to the FDA under the contract to inspect mammography facilities in NJ under MQSA.
• Supervises and assigns inspections of mammography facility x-ray surveys, Quality Assurance Programs, and evaluation of personnel qualifications.
• Prepares budgetary requests for the effective operation of the functional program element.
• Prepares exhibits to be used in court proceedings and acts as a witness in court.
• Prepares scientific papers for publication, participates in scientific meetings and conferences, and serves on scientific committees.
• Establishes and evaluates standard procedures to inspect and evaluate mammography facilities in accord with the US Mammography Quality Standards Act.
• Plans, organizes, and assigns work of the organizational unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates.
• Supervises and assigns field surveys and inspections of mammography facilities, hospitals, clinics, dental and physicians' offices, and other places in New Jersey using x-ray radioactive materials and/or x- ray equipment.
• Supervises the evaluation of x-ray and radioactive material installations as to proper areas posting; operating conditions; equipment use restrictions; exposure records; and adequacy of primary and secondary barriers.
• Supervises the evaluation of field and industrial x- ray radiographic units to determine compliance with statutes, codes, and safety practices.
• Supervises the operation and calibration of instrumentation used in evaluating radioactive content of environmental samples and in performing facility surveys to determine compliance with the NJ Radiation Protection Code and the US Mammography Quality Standards Act.
• Trains personnel in established operating and safety procedures.
• As a member of the Radiation Emergency Response Team, is available twenty-four (24) hours a day to respond to and coordinate activities at radiation emergency incidents.
• Supervises and plans data processing activities in the bureau.
• Supervises and plans special radiation source investigations to locate and identify radiation hazards using radiation detection instruments.
• Prepares and conducts educational programs for personnel and other interested groups in the proper installation and use of x- ray equipment.
• Develops and implements quality assurance programs to evaluate and ensure accuracy and precision of analytical methods.
• Evaluates findings and determines compliance or noncompliance with established laws, rules, and regulations and the US Mammography Quality Standards Act.
• Plans and supervises review of shielding plans and personnel exposure records maintained by industry, professional people, hospitals, and other users of radioactive material and x-ray equipment, and makes recommendations for compliance with the NJ Radiation Protection Code.
• Prepares and supervises preparation of clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports and correspondence regarding radiation matters containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Supervises the maintenance of records, reports, and files.
• May assist with administrative research and development projects and in promoting program objectives.
• Meets with representatives of private or government agencies, and provides consultation and advice on principles of radiological health problems.
• Supervises and coordinates field surveys and inspections during radiological emergencies to facilitate the assessment of environmental contamination and the recommendation of protective actions.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Mathematics, Radiologic Technology, Radiation Science or Environmental Sciences, which includes sixteen (16) semester credit hours in any combination of the following lab-based courses: physics, chemistry, biology or medical imaging.

Experience

Four (4) years of experience in the field of radiological health, one (1) year of which shall have been in conducting inspections of medical x-ray equipment.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of theories and practices of a quality assurance program in mammography.
• Knowledge of proper selection of film and quality control procedures required to maintain integrity of the darkroom and high standard of film processing.
• Knowledge of phantom image analysis including scoring and artifact evaluation.
• Knowledge of the Sensitometric Task for the Evaluation of Processors (STEP) procedure for evaluation of the processor performance.
• Knowledge of educational and professional experience requirements for physicians, technologists, and medical physicist performing mammography services.
• Knowledge of testing procedures of mammography equipment and evaluation of results.
• Knowledge of all types of mammography equipment.
• Knowledge of theories, practices, methods, and procedures of general and analytical chemistry, radiation chemistry, and radiation physics.
• Knowledge of general biological effects of radiation.
• Knowledge of standard procedures used to perform laboratory and field evaluations.
• Knowledge of breast cancer epidemiology, radiation risk, and sensitivity/specificity.
• Knowledge of the identification and correction of processing artifacts, processor operation, H and D curves, chemical and film emulsion properties, and darkroom integrity.
• Knowledge of terminology and classification used in mammography reports.
• Knowledge of the proper radiological safety design of buildings, laboratories, and equipment.
• Knowledge of methods used in handling radioactive materials and disposing of radioactive waste products.
• Knowledge of methods of preventing radiation accidents.
• Knowledge of techniques to minimize radiation exposure to the patient, operator, or handler of diagnostic and therapeutic sources of radiation.
• Knowledge of hazards associated with radiation and radioactivity.
• Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply state and federal regulations dealing with control of radiation and radioactive materials.
• Ability to operate nuclear detection instrumentation and field communications equipment.
• Ability to assign and instruct subordinate employees and supervise the performance of their work.
• Ability to perform involved analytical procedures using sophisticated laboratory and field equipment.
• Ability to use personal safety equipment including gas masks, self-contained breathing equipment, and other related devices.
• Ability to supervise and schedule assigned personnel engaged in environmental monitoring and in surveying of radiation facilities for the purpose of determining hazards and establishing controls and regulations for the prevention of radiation injuries.
• Ability to develop and prepare educational materials dealing with hazards, methods of control, and proper handling of radioactive materials and equipment.
• Ability to prepare extensive correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Ability to prepare clear, scientifically sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations for the control or elimination of various types of radiological health hazards.
• Ability to establish and maintain essential records and files.
• Ability to prepare and present technically accurate evidence for use in legal actions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with representatives of government, industry, and private organizations on radiological matters.
• Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
• CODE: 4/16/2016

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

A Master's degree in one of the above fields may be substituted for one (1) year of experience in the field of radiological health.

A Doctoral degree in one of the above fields may be substituted for two (2) years of the indicated experience in the field of radiological health.

<b>LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION</b>

Appointees will be required to possess a current certification in mammography issued by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.