Become a Health Physicist with the Birmingham VA Healthcare System

The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a highly skilled Health Physicist to serve as an Assistant Radiation Safety Officer at the Birmingham VA Healthcare System. This role is essential for maintaining the highest standards of safety in our medical imaging and research departments. If you have a background in radiological science and a passion for serving our nation's Veterans, this is a unique opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organization.

Job Responsibilities

The Health Physicist will lead and support the Radiation Safety Program. Key duties include:

Designing and implementing safety policies for radionuclides and machine-made radiation.
Conducting audits and reviews of radiation-use areas.
Serving as an expert advisor to researchers and medical staff.
Managing the radiation safety PPE program.
Coordinating quality assurance for imaging equipment.

Requirements

To succeed in this role, you must meet the following criteria:

Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Must hold a relevant degree in natural science or engineering with 30 semester hours in related coursework.
Must have at least one year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level.
Must pass a background check and drug screen.
Must fulfill the annual flu vaccination requirement.

Requirements Comparison Table

Criteria	Requirement
Citizenship	U.S. Citizen
Experience	1 Year Specialized (GS-11 equivalent)
Education	Degree + 30 Semester Hours in Science/Physics
Schedule	Full-time, M-F 7:30am - 4:00pm
Physicality	Lifting up to 50 lbs & Wearing leaded PPE

Salary and Benefits

This position offers a competitive salary range of $90,410 to $117,535 per year. In addition to salary, employees receive a robust benefits package including health, life, and retirement plans.

Application Tips

Ensure your resume is exactly two pages or less.
Clearly define your experience to match the job requirements.
Upload all required transcripts and supporting documents as PDFs.

If you are a qualified Health Physicist ready to make a significant impact on Veteran care, we encourage you to apply. This role offers the perfect blend of technical expertise and public service. Submit your application today to join our mission.

Why This Health Physicist (Assistant Radiation Safety Officer) Job Matters

Protect those who served by ensuring the highest standards of radiation safety as an Assistant Radiation Safety Officer with the VA.

Health Physicist (Assistant Radiation Safety Officer) Job Overview

The Birmingham VA Healthcare System is seeking a dedicated Health Physicist to serve as an Assistant Radiation Safety Officer. In this role, you will play a critical part in protecting Veterans, staff, and visitors by overseeing the clinical and research use of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. You will provide essential radiological physics support, conduct safety audits, and act as a subject matter expert to ensure compliance with VHA policies and master material licenses.

Requirements for Health Physicist (Assistant Radiation Safety Officer)

U.S. Citizenship is required.
Must meet the basic educational requirement of a degree in natural science or engineering with at least 30 semester hours in health physics, radiological science, chemistry, physics, biology, or calculus.
Must possess one year of specialized experience at the GS-11 level or equivalent.
Must complete a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period.
Subject to a pre-employment background investigation and drug screening.
Must participate in the annual seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Must be able to wear leaded radiation-protective gear and lift up to 50 pounds.

Preferred Qualifications for Health Physicist (Assistant Radiation Safety Officer)

Certification as a Health Physicist by the American Board of Health Physics.
Extensive experience in a medical radiation environment.
Demonstrated ability to design and implement complex radiation safety programs.
Proficiency in diagnostic imaging quality assurance and acceptance testing.
Experience in responding to radiation incidents and providing staff training.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Comprehensive federal health insurance options
✓Federal retirement benefits (FERS)
✓Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching
✓Paid vacation, sick leave, and federal holidays
✓Professional development and training opportunities
✓Work-life balance with a standard Monday-Friday schedule

💡 How to Apply Health Physicist (Assistant Radiation Safety Officer) Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Health Physicist (Assistant Radiation Safety Officer) Job

Create or log into your account on the USAJOBS platform.
Prepare a resume that is strictly limited to two pages.
Upload required documentation, including transcripts and SF-50s if applicable.
Complete the online occupational questionnaire.
Submit your full application package before the closing date of July 16, 2026.

💡 General Tips

Keep your resume to two pages or less to comply with federal requirements.
Ensure your SF-50 clearly demonstrates one year of time-in-grade if you are a federal employee.
Use the resume builder tool to ensure all required competencies are highlighted.
Save your resume as a PDF to preserve formatting and page count.
Check your application status regularly through your online dashboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the educational requirement for this position?

You must hold a degree in a natural science or engineering field that includes at least 30 semester hours of coursework in health physics, radiological science, physics, chemistry, biology, or calculus.

Is this position eligible for telework?

No, this is an on-site position located at the Birmingham VA Healthcare System.

What is the page limit for the resume?

Per current federal hiring guidelines, resumes must be limited to two pages.

What is the deadline to apply?

*A: The closing date is July 16, 2026.*

Is relocation authorized?

*A: No, relocation/recruitment incentives are not authorized for this position.*

Job from Veterans Health Administration

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) provides comprehensive healthcare to millions of Veterans. Our mission is to honor those who have served by providing the best possible care for them and their families. Working here means joining a team that values compassion, integrity, and safety above all else.