Class Guidelines - Health Physicist Series

IOWA DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES –

HUMAN RESOURCES ENTERPRISE

CLASSIFICATION GUIDELINES

HEALTH PHYSICIST SERIES

CLASSES IN THE SERIES

Class Code	Class Title

04507	Health Physicist 1
04508	Health Physicist 2
04509	Health Physicist 3

SERIES CONCEPT

Classes in this series perform radiological and environmental work in the fields of radiological health and health physics, waste disposal, consumer health protection and related environmental health areas. Positions function in the areas of health protection relating to radioactive machines; radioactive materials; and/or related environmental health, training and emergency response.

EXCLUSIONS

Positions performing professional work in environmental and health protection programs, with limited involvement in areas of radiological health, should be classified in the Environmental Specialist Series.

CLASS DISTINCTIONS

Health Physicist 1

Positions are assigned trainee level professional inspection work in radiation and environmental health programs, requiring a background in natural science or a radiation or environmental control program. Upon satisfactory completion of the required courses from Oakridge Associated Universities or their equivalent, the employee will be given journey level assignments. Employees perform data and information gathering in implementing one of the three areas in the radiation control program (radiation machines, radioactive materials or related environmental health, training and emergency response). In assessing compliance and safety, employees utilize standards, physical principles and mathematical manipulations to determine root cause and effect. Positions are assigned specific field investigations to compare and report documented procedures and actual practices.

Health Physicist 2

Work involves the planning for and execution of inspections and health protection activities in one of the three areas in the radiation control program (radiation machines, radioactive materials or related environmental health, training and emergency response). Positions determine methods and procedures and review data for presentation. They conduct independent field investigations to assess the immediate health and safety concerns in environmental, industrial, academic, medical and private settings. Employees act as team leaders and points of contact for large or multi-faceted investigations. Full-scale emergency response is performed at this level. Employees also determine the impact on health and safety of research with, transport of and release to the environment, of sources of radiation.

Health Physicist 3

Employees are responsible for the design and development of policies and procedures for, and the evaluation of the operation of one of the three areas in the radiation control program (radiation machines, radioactive materials or related environmental health, training and emergency response), and function as leadworkers with a unit of lower level professional and technical staff. Positions are responsible for conducting detailed technical and scientific analyses of situations, devising a plan for investigation and remediation, and disseminating information at critical points in the process. Work involves presentation of information whether in the form of instructional classes, meetings or individual consulting periods.

NOTE: Iowa Code Chapter 13 has designated the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) as the state radiation control agency. IDPH is responsible for regulating the installation and use of radiation machines and radioactive materials in this state, and for the evaluation and control of hazards associated with the use of sources of radiation including emergency response.