Please note: During training, location will be at Vancouver Center, with Mon-Fri shift. After training, position will rotate between Mon-Fri and Tue-Sat shifts, and may be required to work at two different sites - Vancouver Centre and the IAMI facility at TRIUMF.

Job Summary:

In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values, Coast Salish Teachings, and strategic direction of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

The Cyclotron Operator operates and provides maintenance of the TR19 PET cyclotron for BC Cancer’s Functional Imaging Department. Duties include trouble-shooting, diagnostic checks, and identifying and resolving basic operating problems. This position is critical in supporting the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)-compliant PET radiopharmaceutical production/distribution facility for both research and clinical applications. This position reports directly to the Production Unit Manager

Duties/Accountabilities:

1. Operates the cyclotron and coordinates production schedules on a daily basis for GMP, clinical and research radiopharmaceutical production in consultation with clinical and research staff based on scheduled imaging workloads and technical considerations of the cyclotron’s capabilities.
2. Ensures the cyclotron is maintained in good working condition. Performs and documents routine maintenance and service activities on the cyclotron and related equipment in accordance with approved standard operating procedures (SOPs) and the cyclotron manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Liaises with the cyclotron and other equipment manufacturers to identify and resolve cyclotron issues. Coordinates and oversees repairs as required.
4. Conducts radionuclidic purity and identity testing of radioisotopes produced by the cyclotron by performing gamma-ray spectroscopy and documenting results according to SOPs.
5. Performs and documents radiation safety tasks including field measurements, contamination wipes and surveys, and waste management when necessary and as required.
6. Participates in the development of new research synthesis modules for radiopharmaceutical synthesis, including the design of electronic control systems, by helping to build, test, troubleshoot, and further refine these developmental systems.
7. Supports the provincial PET radiopharmaceutical production program to meet research and clinical needs for radiopharmaceuticals across the province, allocating sufficient beam time to meet production requirements, and using technical expertise in the equipment’s capabilities to design appropriate production schedules.
8. Performs routine quality control on cyclotron and related equipment. Maintains cyclotron materials supply inventory as needed for radiopharmaceutical production.
9. Establishes and adheres to a schedule for maintaining and replacing transfer lines between the cyclotron and hot cells at appropriate intervals in order to ensure optimal transfer of radioactivity.
10. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience

• A level of education, training, and experience equivalent to a degree in electronics or a related science/technology field and a minimum of 2 years recent, related experience in operating cyclotrons in a cyclotron facility or industrial setting, including experience in automation and instrumentation, computer controls or electrical power and industrial controls, and/or vacuum and radio-frequency (RF) systems.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to operate cyclotron systems, targetry, electronic, mechanical or pneumatic equipment maintenance and repair.
• Ability to effectively problem-solve and manage time.
• Demonstrated ability to execute practical maintenance tasks (i.e. replacing vacuum pumps, fittings, regulators and tubing for cooling systems and inert gas).
• Skill in the use of equipment and in techniques appropriate to area of specialty.
• Demonstrated knowledge of computer systems such as programmable logic controllers  
• Ability to work independently with complex electro-mechanical systems.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbal and in writing
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Demonstrated skills in CPR techniques.