The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration, is actively recruiting for a Health Physicist (Radiation Safety) position in Kansas City, Missouri. This GS-13 federal job offers a competitive salary range of $107,103 to $139,235 per year, plus potential recruitment and relocation incentives for highly qualified candidates.
This role is perfect for professionals with expertise in medical health physics, ionizing radiation protection, nuclear medicine, radiation oncology, and regulatory compliance under NRC and NHPP permits. Applications are open now through January 13, 2026 — don’t miss this chance to join a leading VA medical facility supporting veterans!
Why This Health Physicist Role Stands Out
As the Radiation Safety Officer, you’ll oversee a comprehensive radiation safety program in a busy clinical, academic, and research environment. The position supports hundreds of staff across departments including:
- Radiology and Imaging
- Nuclear Medicine
- Radiation Oncology
- Cardiology
- Surgery
- Dental Services
- Biomedical Research
You’ll ensure safe use of radioactive materials and ionizing radiation devices while advancing patient care and innovation.
Key Duties and Responsibilities of a VA Health Physicist
This role combines technical expertise, leadership, and regulatory oversight. Primary responsibilities include:
- Directing and supervising radiological emergency response procedures
- Advising on complex challenges for new programs like PET/CT, PET/MR, new radiopharmaceutical therapies, and facility design/remodeling for imaging and radiation oncology suites
- Establishing and managing a comprehensive quality assurance program for diagnostic and interventional imaging equipment (e.g., CT, angiography, fluoroscopy, linear accelerators, PET scanners)
- Designing and delivering radiation safety training to clinical staff, nurses, housekeeping, and dietetics teams working with therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals or brachytherapy patients
- Evaluating staff qualifications for regulatory compliance in clinical and research use of radioactive materials
- Reviewing research protocols to minimize radiation risks and consulting with investigators on safety aspects
Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM (non-virtual; must be able to commute to Kansas City, MO).
Qualifications Needed for This GS-13 Health Physicist Position
To qualify, you must meet basic education requirements and have specialized experience at the GS-12 level or equivalent.
Basic Education Requirement (one of the following):
- Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in natural science or engineering with at least 30 semester hours in health physics, engineering, radiological science, chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, and/or calculus (transcripts required)
- Combination of relevant education + experience
- Certification as a health physicist by the American Board of Health Physics (CHP certification), plus comparable experience and education
Specialized Experience: One full year of experience equivalent to GS-12, including:
- Planning, directing, and executing radiation safety and medical health physics programs across diagnostic, therapeutic, and research modalities
- Advising medical, technical, and research staff on safe use of radioactive materials and ionizing radiation devices
- Performing radiation dose calculations, risk assessments, occupational dosimetry, and patient dose evaluations
- Providing expert consultation in health physics disciplines
Competencies evaluated: Education and Training, Health Physics, Quality Management, Research.
English language proficiency is required for patient-care-related positions.
Benefits of Working as a Federal Health Physicist at the VA
- Competitive federal salary with locality pay
- Full federal benefits package (health, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance)
- Paid time off, including annual leave accrual credit for prior experience
- Potential recruitment/relocation incentives
- Opportunity to serve veterans in a meaningful way
- Stable permanent full-time position in the competitive service
Note: This is a drug testing position (urinalysis required), with a 1-year probationary period. No security clearance is required, but background investigation applies.
How to Apply for This Radiation Safety Officer Job
Apply online via USAJOBS before the closing date of January 13, 2026 (11:59 PM ET). Key steps:
- Create or log in to your USAJOBS account
- Upload a resume (limited to 2 pages max per current federal guidelines)
- Complete the occupational questionnaire
- Submit required documents (transcripts, certifications, DD-214 if veteran, etc.)
Preview the questionnaire and review full details here: https://healthphysics.usajobs.gov/job/853017600