Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide scientific support, coordination and technical advice/support to all facets of the Radiation Protection Monitoring Service's Quality Assurance Program. To support the development and maintenance of technical procedures, programs and infrastructure in support of the Province of Ontario's Emergency and Nuclear Emergency Plans. To provide professional advice and interpretation of laboratory results and data from radiological monitoring programs operated by the Province of Ontario.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Under general direction of the Manager, Radiation Protection Monitoring Service, performs a variety of duties to ensure the ongoing effectiveness of the
Radiation Protection Monitoring Service's quality assurance program.
1. Provides scientific support, coordination and technical advice/support to all facets of the Radiation Protection Monitoring Service's Quality Assurance
Program by:
- Taking a lead role in the Service's accreditation initiatives and develops and maintains an ongoing quality control program.
- Assisting in the development and integration of quality assurance protocols by developing policies and standard operating procedures in support of the Radiation Protection Monitoring Service's quality initiatives.
- Providing guidance and direction to staff on technical and quality issues, training on the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) database and quality protocols and providing technical problem resolution.
2. To support the development and maintenance of technical procedures, programs and infrastructure in support of the Province of Ontario's Emergency and Nuclear Emergency Response Plans by:
- Contributing to the development, revision and preparation of methodologies used by the Service in fulfilling monitoring and analytical objectives.
- Ensuring delivery against established QA goals and objectives the results of environmental radiological monitoring carried out by the Service, i.e. meeting commitments and coordinating an overall quality assurance schedule.
- Establishing and maintaining a policy for documentation of all laboratory products and the systematic of review of documentation before it is sent to external customers.
- Implementing a system for the management, review and reporting of non-conforming events including exceedances and customer complaints.
- Participating in nuclear emergency exercises, training and evaluations (of performance of personnel and equipment) and represents the Ministry on committees as required (e.g. Drinking Water Surveillance Committee)
3. To provide professional advice and interpretation of results from radiological monitoring programs operated by the Province of Ontario by:
- Developing and maintaining an appropriate LIMS and database of results (air, water, milk, soils, biota and environmental gamma radiation) to provide estimates of compliance with legislation, guidelines and objectives and for transfer to annual reports.
- Preparing reports containing reviews, evaluations, assessments of radiological data, trend analyses and dose estimates for distribution to other Ministries, District Health Offices, Public Utilities etc. Monitoring ongoing emergency situations/ issues that affect the Ministry and preparing briefing
material as appropriate.
- Maintaining professional knowledge of advances, developments and practices (e.g.: standards, technologies) in the discipline.
- Developing and maintaining a high degree of competence in the broad fields of quality assurance, radiation protection and radioanalytical methodology through study, attendance at conferences, consultation with equipment designers, manufacturers and users, etc.

Knowledge :

Job requires knowledge of laboratory quality assurance, experience in the writing of Standard Operating Procedures, Quality Assurance protocols and methodologies to maintain accreditation to the International Standard for Standardization (ISO) 17025 laboratory quality management standard.
Knowledge of laboratory certification requirements and experience with the laboratory certification process to validate measurements. Knowledge of chemistry and experience in radio analytical techniques and methodologies to validate ISO 17025 certified methods.
Job requires knowledge of the scientific method, research techniques and critical evaluation of scientific studies to gather, evaluate and summarize scientific developments on radiation protection.
Knowledge of relevant legislation such as the Emergency Plans Act, Ontario Drinking Water Standards, Radioactivity guidelines and objectives in various jurisdictions to ensure compliance with legislation and best practice.

Skills :

Job requires analytical, investigative and research skills to review data and findings and to deal with staff problems related to analytical techniques and methodologies; to summarize findings and provide conclusions and recommendations; to make suggestions and develop protocols for handling special or problem samples.
Job requires computer skills and the ability to develop and maintain a functioning LIMS database and dealing directly with outside contacts to rectify problems and to customize the operation of the database.
Job requires oral communication skills to solve problems with laboratory technologists, professionals and others and to carry out investigations and audits, obtain facts, clarify information needs and provide interpretation and application of regulations, standards, program policies and laboratory procedure. Job requires written communication skills to write SOP's to gather and organize scientific information on Quality Assurance protocols and methodologies, prepare written interpretive reports, and answers to scientific inquiries. Job requires the ability to identify contentious issues for senior
management, and provide facts and information for the preparation of briefing notes and house notes.
Job requires interpersonal skills to represent the Service on quality issues and to provide training, coaching and/or technical guidance to other employees on procedures and quality assurance requirements. Job requires organizational and leadership skills to lead others in the event of an emergency as assigned and to assist with the organization and co-ordination of staff during exercises and emergencies.

Freedom of Action :

Job requires making authoritative recommendations to management on methodology changes and equipment purchases. Job requires providing advice, interpretation and information in response to enquiries of general and specific nature. Job requires performing assigned role with independence under the general direction of the manager of the Radiation Protection Monitoring Service and in compliance with relevant legislation, quality standards and accreditation requirements.
Job requires the freedom to negotiate with external clients (e.g. private laboratories, other Ministries) with regards to services provided and mandated responsibilities. Job requires making decisions in the development of new or modified steps in methods and in selection of alternatives to standard testing procedures. Job requires identifying causes and documenting and/or correcting process or equipment deficiencies, and/or discussing problems relating to persistent deviations from standards or written precedents with the laboratory coordinator and/or manager. Job requires testing, evaluating, reporting on and/or recommending new equipment and methods. Job requires notification to laboratory coordinator and/or manager on legislated exceedances and persistent, unusual test results or major deviations from expected results.