RADIATION PROTECTION SPECIALIST

Job Description:

RADIATION PROTECTION SPECIALIST

Description

Position/Program Information

EXAM NUMBER:

PH5772E

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT:
Open Competitive Job Opportunity

FIRST DAY OF FILING :
Thursday, February 22, 2024 at 8:30 a.m., Pacific Time (PT)

This examination will remain open until the needs of the service are met and is subject to closure without prior notice.

DEFINITION:
Conducts inspections, investigations, and tests to detect and control radiation hazards arising from the use of X-ray equipment, and ensures compliance with State, Federal, and County laws and regulations.

CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS:
Positions allocable to this class work under the technical and administrative supervision of a Principal Radiation Protection Specialist or the Head, Radiation Control in the Environmental Health Division of the Department of Public Health. Positions are responsible for the performance of routine assignments such as X-ray compliance inspections, accident and complaint investigations, and surveys. In addition, Radiation Protection Specialists prepare and disseminate information on radiation safety principles, regulations, standards, and methods; work with a variety of governmental and private entities to determine and obviate radiation hazards; prepare technical reports and correspondence, and other related duties of average difficulty and complexity. Positions utilize a variety of radiation meters, computers, counters, and test equipment while following established procedures and guidelines to determine compliance with governing State, Federal, and County regulations.

Essential Job Functions

• Performs routine inspections of X-ray tubes at hospitals, clinics, mammography facilities, dental, and other medical facilities at specified intervals including measuring the accuracy of technical factors, alignment of collimators, proper use of grids, filters, and diaphragms, measuring and evaluating patient, operator, and public exposures, and other elements related to the safe and effective operation of equipment.
• Enforces State, Federal, and County laws regarding the manufacture, installation, and operation of X-ray equipment located in medical, dental, industrial, research, and academic facilities; enforces the State's certification law regarding licentiates, technologists, and technicians who use X-ray equipment.
  
• Utilizes a variety of radiation measuring instruments, test equipment, phantoms, and computers, following established procedures, to determine radiation safety practices, and compliance with Federal, State, and County laws and regulations.
  
• Prepares written reports of inspection findings, including letters and Notices of Violations to users; follows-up on violations to assure timely and appropriate corrective action.
  
• Provides consultation and training to physicians, dentists, X-ray personnel, and the public on proper practices, procedures, safety, and legal requirements in the use of radiation producing equipment.
  
• Measures the adequacy of shielding in walls, using radiation detection instruments.
  
• Responds to emergency situations involving radiation incidents.
  
• Assists in training new Radiation Protection Specialists.
  
• Completes special projects such as the Nationwide Evaluation of X-ray Trends (NEXT).
  

Requirements

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

OPTION 1: Possession of a valid certificate* in diagnostic or therapeutic radiologic technology or nuclear medicine technology issued by the California Department of Public Health -OR- the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists -OR- Possession of a health physics technology certificate from an accredited two-year program
-AND-
Five (5) years of experience in a medical radiology department, hospital, or public health agency operating or surveying the use of radiological equipment, providing advice on safe practices in radiation to ensure compliance with rules and regulations governing radiation use.

OPTION 2: A Bachelor's degree** from an accredited college or university with a major in radiologic health, radiologic science, radiologic technology, health physics, physics, engineering, mathematics, physical science, or a closely related field***.
-AND-
Two (2) years of professional experience in health physics**** or a closely related field.

LICENSE:
A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job related essential functions.

PHYSICAL CLASS III - MODERATE: This class requires that the incumbent stand or walk most of the time with bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, reaching, working on irregular surfaces, occasional lifting of objects weighing over 25 pounds, and frequent lifting of 10-25 pounds.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION:
You must POSSESS and CLEARLY EXPRESS detailed years of experience performing relevant duties, related to the requirements within your online job application under the "Experience" area.
*Please ensure the License and Certificate Section of the application is completed for the required certificates. Provide the title of your required license and certifications, number, date of issue, date of expiration and the name of the issuing agency as specified in the Requirements on your application at the time of filing or e-mail the information to hrexams@ph.lacounty.gov within fifteen (15) calendar days of filing. The required license/certification MUST be active and unrestricted or you application will not be accepted.

**In order to receive credit for any type of college or university degree, such as a Bachelor's Degree or higher, you must attach a legible copy of the Official Diploma, Official Transcript(s), or Official Letter from the accredited institution, which shows the area of specialization and the date the degree was awarded, with Registrar's signature and school seal, to the application or within fifteen (15) calendar days from application submission to hrexams@ph.lacounty.gov .

• Foreign studies must be evaluated for equivalency to United States accredited institutions standards by an academic credential evaluation agency recognized by The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE) . (see Employment Information under Accreditation Information)

*** Examples of closely r elated fields: Nuclear Engineering, Physics of Instrumentation, Geologic Science, or Chemistry.

**** Professional experience in health physic s : Experience gained in the science of radiation protection subsequent to receiving a bachelor's degree.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:
Credit will be given to applicants who possess the following desirable qualifications:

• Certified Radiologic Technologist (CRT)
• Experience in the practice and use of various imaging modalities
• Experience working in a lead capacity in a radiology department

Additional Information

EXAMINATION CONTENT:
Once we have determined that you meet our experience requirements, the examination process will consist of an evaluation of education and experience based on application information, desirable qualifications and supplemental questionnaire information submitted at the time of filing weighted 100% .

Applicants must meet the Requirements and achieve a passing score of 70% or higher on the examination (evaluation of experience) to be added on the Eligible Register (hiring list).

Passing this examination and being added on the Eligible Register does not guarantee an offer of employment.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION:
The names of candidates receiving a passing score in the examination will be added to the Eligible Register in the order of their score group for a period of twelve (12) months following the date of eligibility.

NO PERSON MAY COMPETE IN THIS EXAMINATION MORE THAN ONCE EVERY TWELVE (12) MONTHS.

Complete applications will be processed on an as received basis and promulgated to the Eligible Register accordingly.

WITHHOLD INFORMATION:
No withhold will be allowed. Required experience/education must be fully met by the last day of filing/at the time of filing, and clearly indicated on the application.

VACANCY INFORMATION:
The Eligible Register resulting from this examination will be used to fill vacancies in the Department of Public Health as they occur.

AVAILABLE SHIFT:
Any shift, including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays.

_______________________________________________________________

Application and Filing Information

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications must be filed ONLINE ONLY . Applications submitted by U.S. mail, fax, or in person will NOT be accepted. Any required documents and/or additional information, if any, must be received with your application at the time of filing online or sent to HRExams@ph.lacounty.gov within fifteen (15) calendar days from application submission.

Apply online by clicking on the green "Apply" button located on this posting. You can also track the status of your application using this website.

Plan to submit your online application well in advance of the 5:00 p.m. deadline as you may be required to verify your email address. This only needs to be done once per email address, and if you already have a job seeker account on www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty, you can verify at any time by logging in and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of your online application and to ensure you do not enter an incorrect email address.

The acceptance of your application depends on whether you have clearly shown that you meet the REQUIREMENTS. Fill out the application and Supplemental Questionnaire accurately and completely to receive full credit for any relevant education and/or job experience you include. In the space provided on the application for education, include names and addresses of schools attended, dates attended, degree(s) received, and degree major. For each job held, give the name and address of your employer, your job/position title, start and end dates, the number of hours worked per week, and detailed description of work and duties performed. If the application and/or Supplemental Questionnaire is/are incomplete, the application will be REJECTED.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Please note that ALL information supplied by applicants and included in the application materials is subject to VERIFICATION at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made.
• Applications may be rejected at any stage of the examination and selection process.
• FALSIFICATION of any information may result in DISQUALIFICATION or RESCISSION OF APPOINTMENT.
• Utilizing VERBIAGE from Class Specification(s) and/or Minimum Requirements serving as your description of duties WILL NOT be sufficient to demonstrate that you meet the requirements. In doing so your application will be dispositioned as INCOMPLETE and will not be accepted.
• Comments such as "SEE RESUME" or "SEE APPLICATION" will not be considered a valid response; therefore, using such statements will also result in your application being rejected as INCOMPLETE.

COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES:
For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County. You may refer to their website for more information regarding the reopening of some libraries with limited hours throughout Los Angeles County.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:
Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.

NO SHARING OF USER ID, EMAIL, AND PASSWORD:
All applicants must file their application online using their OWN user ID and password. Using a family member or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.

FAIR CHANCE EMPLOYER:
The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except for a very limited number of positions, you will not be asked to provide information about a conviction history unless you receive a contingent offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and consider potential mitigating factors, including, but not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about a conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:
It is the policy of the County of Los Angeles to provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons, regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or disability or any other characteristic protected by State or Federal law. All positions are open to qualified men and women pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act. The County will follow all of its obligations under State and Federal laws regarding the provision of reasonable accommodations to applicants.

Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI):
The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. The Department of Human Resources is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

Department Contact Name: Exam Analyst
Department Contact Phone: (323)659-6546
Department Contact E-mail: HRExams@ph.lacounty.gov

California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2922
ADA Coordinator Phone: (323)659-6546
Teletype Phone: (800) 899-4099

For detailed information, please click here

Salary:

$88,605.84 - $101,468.88 Annually