Duke University Health System (DUHS) Job Descriptions

ASSIST DIR, OCC & ENV SAFETY

Job Title: ASSIST DIR, OCC & ENV SAFETY
Job Code: 5198
FLSA: E
Job Level: I1
Revised Date: 12/01/2019
Supervisory Responsibility:

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General Description of the Job Class

The Assistant Director manages the Radiological Safety Division or the Biological Safety Division of the Occupational and Environmental Safety Office (OESO). These Divisions rely on the principles of risk recognition, prevention, control and monitoring to minimize exposures of faculty, staff, students, and visitors to radiological and biological hazards.

The Assistant Director develops and oversees proactive programs that are implemented proficiently and in a timely manner to the widely diverse occupational environments of a health system, research facilities, and the university.

Duties and Responsibilities of this Level

Manage the Radiological or Biological Safety Division, which are responsible for the Duke Hospital, Health System, Medical Center, and University.

Recommend, design, implement, and evaluate research protocols, training and monitoring programs, inspection standards, safe work methods, decontamination procedures, and emergency procedures. Interview research personnel regarding new experiments and determines whether equipment and facility are adequate, conforms to applicable regulations and standards.

Review and incorporate as appropriate, national and international standards and requirements into the operating units programs to assure institutional compliance. Maintain surveillance for all existing and proposed federal, state, and local changes in regulations and guidelines.

Review all construction projects for areas where radiation sources or biological materials are to be used for risks and compliance with existing policies and standards. This includes meeting and communicating with institutional architects and engineers regarding the construction and/or renovation of building space used for healthcare or work with radiological agents.

Investigate exposure incidents, documents reasons for exposures, and participates in the remediation of the problem. Judges severity of emergency, and determines immediacy of federal and state involvement. Periodic evaluations are presented to the Duke University Safety Committee. Based on these evaluations, provide recommendations to Health System or University administration for effective control measures.

For Radiation Safety: Serve as Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) for Duke University and act as the university qualified expert with the State of North Carolina DHHS - Radiation Protection Section to ensure effective implementation of a broad scope radioactive materials licenses and other specific licenses for research and medical uses in accordance with regulations and approved license conditions. Duties of the RSO include but are not limited to:

-- Managing the inspection and audit program to ensure adherence to the conditions of Duke's radioactive materials (RAM) licenses.

-- Managing the security review process as required by the Nuclear Regulatory Agency for individuals seeking unescorted access to irradiators or other RAM quantities of concern.

-- Ensuring the oversight and maintenance of radioactive and accelerator licenses and registration of x-ray producing machines with federal, state, and local governmental agencies.

-- Managing the activities of the DU and DUMC Radiation Safety Committees.

For Biological Safety: Serve as Biological Safety Officer (BSO) for Duke University on the Duke Institutional Biosafety Committee. Duties of the BSO include but are not limited to:

--Management of the IBC database, screening and review of all IBC registrations, assisting the PI with the development of appropriate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for work involving these registrations, and acting as the liaison with researchers and the IBC.

-- As the institutional "Responsible Official" (RO) for the Duke University Select Agents Program, support Principal Investigators conducting research with Select Agents or Toxins to ensure compliance with the rules of the CDC Select Agents and Toxins Regulations.

-- As the RO, acts as the liaison between the CDC and Duke University researchers and administrators.

Required Qualifications at this Level

Education

M.S. in related scientific field relevant to the function of the specific division:

For Radiation Safety: physics, health physics, medical physics, or related.

For Biological Safety: biology, environmental health and safety, or related.

Doctorate level degree preferred.

Experience

5 years of progressive experience in the specialty or related field. Supervisory experience preferred.

Degrees, Licensure, and/or Certification

Professional Certification(s) are preferred.

Radiation Safety: CRP-American Board of Radiology, CHP - American Board of Health Physics, DABSNM - American Board of Science in Nuclear Medicine, CMP - American Board of Medical Physics (ABMP).

Biological Safety: CBSP - Association for Biosafety and Biosecurity.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

In-depth knowledge of the appropriate specialty.

Knowledge of federal, state and local laws and regulations pertaining to management of biological or radiological hazards.

Thorough knowledge of research equipment, protocols and procedures. Knowledge of laboratory operations sufficient to supervise complex, potentially dangerous experiments.

Ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing, to a variety of occupational and educational levels.

Ability to direct, manage, motivate, lead, and negotiate with a diverse population and multifunctional teams.

Excellent problem solving skills with the ability to respond rapidly to changing situations. Public speaking is a required skill.

Ability to organize and prioritize projects and tasks, be able to take initiative and work independently without supervision.

Distinguishing Characteristics of this Level

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The intent of this job description is to provide a representative and level of the types of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

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Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

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Essential Physical Job Functions

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.