Associate Safety Officer - Radioactive Waste Coordinator

Job Summary:

Support the Vanderbilt University (VU) and Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) radioactive waste programs. Properly manage all hazardous radioactive waste in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations.

Department/Unit Summary:

Vanderbilt Environmental Health & Safety (VEHS ) provides a full range of safety, environmental and sustainability services to support the teaching, research, service and patient care missions for Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Position Shift:

• First Shift

View how Vanderbilt Health employees celebrate the difference they make every day:

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center:

Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded and your abilities challenged. It is a place where your diversity -- of culture, thinking, learning and leading -- is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt's mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.

VUMC Recent Accomplishments

Because we are committed to providing the best in patient care, education and research, we are proud of our recent accomplishments:

* US News & World Report: #1 Adult Hospital in Tennessee and metropolitan Nashville, named to the Best Hospitals Honor Roll of the top 20 adult hospitals, 10 nationally ranked adult specialty programs, with 3 specialties rated in the top 10 nationally, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt named as one of the Best Children's Hospital in the nation, with 10 out of 10 pediatric specialties nationally ranked.

* Healthcare's Most Wired: Among the nation's 100 "most-wired" hospitals and health systems for its efforts in innovative medical technology.

* Becker's Hospital Review: named as one of the "100 Great Hospitals in America", in the roster of 100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Oncology Programs and to its list of the 100 Hospitals with Great Heart Programs.

* The Leapfrog Group: One of only 10 children's hospitals in the to be named at Leapfrog Top Hospital.

* American Association for the Advancement of Science: The School of Medicine has 112 elected fellows

* Magnet Recognition Program: Received our third consecutive Magnet designations.

* National Academy of Medicine: 22 members, elected by their peers in recognition of outstanding achievement

* Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index: 6 ^th year in a row that Vanderbilt University Medical Center was a Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality.

Additional Key Elements/ Responsibilities:

• Ensure that an accurate and up-to-date inventory is maintained of all radioactive waste accepted by OCRS.
• Organize, coordinate, and ensure accuracy of processing, packaging, and transportation of waste in a timely manner and in accordance with all applicable regulations.
• Safely package and transport radioactive waste throughout the VU and VUMC campuses.
• Consolidate and store radioactive waste in radioactive waste facility in accordance with all applicable State and Federal regulations.
• Verify radioactive waste vendor compliance with DOT and TDEC regulations. Sign generator statement on manifests.
• Manage radiation portal monitors. Transport and store waste generated from portal monitors in accordance with all applicable regulations and internal procedures.
• Support laboratory safety and close-out programs.
• Provide health physics support for radiation therapy patient program (Lutathera, I-131 MIBG, I-125 brachytherapy, Y-90 microspheres).
• Perform decontamination of radiation therapy rooms.
• Other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities:

No direct reports. Indirect supervision of technicians, students, and consultants.

Budgetary Responsibilities:

None.

Communication:

Internal:

Frequent contact with all levels of administration, faculty, and staff including the presentation of information where detailed explanation is required to obtain cooperation.

External:

Frequent contact with consultants and vendors.

Patient/Student Contact:

Frequent contact with patients and students.

Physical Requirements:

Be able to lift 50 lbs. Ability to pass respirator fit-testing requirements.

Working Environment:

Persons in this position will frequent areas where potential exposure to biological and infectious agents, hazardous chemicals, and ionizing radiation may occur. Some work outside normal business hours will be required on occasion.