Medical Physicist

Lurie Children's Hospital•Chicago, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. As the largest pediatric provider in the region with a 140-year legacy of excellence, kids and their families are at the center of all we do. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report. Day (United States of America) Location Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Job Description General Summary: To provide clinical and research physics support for the programs at all Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital (LC) sponsored locations. The Medical Physicist will, under the direction of the Medical Chairman, be engaged in the design optimization, technical evaluation and precise calibration of equipment suitable for accurate radiation dose delivery. The Physicist will also educate physicians, residents, nurses and technologists on the technical aspects of radiation delivery, as well as the radiation protection of patients and staff. The physicist will assist in an educational program about radiation safety to the Hospital Staff at large. This Medical Physicist role is within the Medical Imaging department, working closely with our XR, CT, Fluoroscopy, Sonography, and Nuclear Medicine teams, with a focus on Nuclear Medicine. Essential Job Functions: Clinical Science support. Actively participates in establishing a core team of Radiologists, Imaging Specialists and Clinical Scientists to provide the best balance for a good clinical service at the forefront of service provision, development and research. Utilizes the unique combination of scientific expertise and awareness of clinical requirements that play a major role in the development and expansion of the use of specific applications into new and existing diagnostic procedures. The Clinical Scientist needs to be continually creative in all aspects of clinical service and in staff relations. Overview of equipment and site specifications. The complexity of equipment and siting considerations requires the specialized knowledge of an experienced individual. The Medical Physicist should work closely with clinical colleagues to ensure sound purchasing and site planning decisions. Appropriate technical performance criteria must be precisely and formally specified by the Medical Physicist in order to meet diagnostic needs and targets. The Medical Physicist also ensures that site design takes into account the shielding requirements. Quality Assurance. Assures the departmental aim of improving patient care, safety and departmental efficiency. Quality Assurance (QA) is vital where quantitative measurements using images of patient anatomy or physiology are being performed. The Physicist's responsibilities will include the design, development, evaluation and supervision of a comprehensive quality control (QC) program for diagnostic imaging. This program will cover all imaging devices, including hardware, software, and peripheral configurations. The program will also include review, testing, certification, and acceptance of all patient imaging-related equipment in accordance with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the JCAHO requirements. The Physicist also oversees all technical aspects of the American College of Radiology (ACR) accreditation process including training technologists for ACR QC/QA phantom testing, monitoring and maintaining weekly QA data and performing the annual system performance evaluation for submission to the ACR. Optimization of Techniques/Clinical Applications. The Physicist will assure equipment is used optimally and cost effectively. Under the direction of the Medical Chairman, and Clinical Director, develops clinical and research protocols. Must work with clinical colleagues in determining how best to deploy these techniques. Expands the capabilities of the equipment in this way, the useful life and efficiency of the system may be extended. Must use technical expertise in ensuring cost effective decisions are made when purchasing the system upgrades necessary to implement new techniques. Oversee the radiation safety program. Ensures safety is maintained for all patients and staff. Provides guidance of radiation safety as outlined in accordance with the NRC regulations (10 CFR 35.24). Serve as the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) and member of various committees such as the Radiation Safety committee, Hospital Safety committee and consult with providers, as required, concerning patient doses and optimization of plans and delivery. As RSO, sufficient authority is given to identify radiation safety problems; initiate, recommend, or provide corrective action plans; stop unsafe operations and verify implementation of corrective actions. Research and Development. Ensures the science, technology and clinical applications are applied appropriately. Instrumental in developing new methods or improving existing techniques. Monitors current areas of active research. Participates in multidisciplinary efforts and assists with determination of most suitable research projects. Expected to present findings at national meetings and publish in peer reviewed journals. Education and Staff Development. Must assure and teach the basic physical principles to a wide range of clinical and support staff in both formal and informal settings. Co-ordinates education programs and tutorials.

Requirements

Master of Science or Doctoral degree in Radiological Physics, Physics, or related discipline, PhD preferred.
Meet qualifications imposed by the federal or state radiation control agency to practice radiation oncology physics and/or provide oversight of the radiation quality management program.
Upon completion of 1 year of employment, meet the necessary education, training, and experience requirements of the licensing regulatory agency to be approved as a Radiation Safety Officer (RSO).

Responsibilities

Provide clinical and research physics support for programs at all Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital (LC) sponsored locations.
Engage in the design optimization, technical evaluation, and precise calibration of equipment for accurate radiation dose delivery.
Educate physicians, residents, nurses, and technologists on the technical aspects of radiation delivery and radiation protection for patients and staff.
Assist in an educational program about radiation safety for hospital staff.
Actively participate in establishing a core team of Radiologists, Imaging Specialists, and Clinical Scientists to provide optimal clinical service, development, and research.
Work closely with clinical colleagues to ensure sound purchasing and site planning decisions for equipment and siting considerations.
Formally specify appropriate technical performance criteria to meet diagnostic needs and targets.
Ensure site design takes into account shielding requirements.
Design, develop, evaluate, and supervise a comprehensive quality control (QC) program for diagnostic imaging, covering hardware, software, and peripheral configurations.
Review, test, certify, and accept all patient imaging-related equipment in accordance with IDPH, IEMA, and JCAHO requirements.
Oversee all technical aspects of the American College of Radiology (ACR) accreditation process, including training technologists for QC/QA phantom testing, monitoring QA data, and performing annual system performance evaluations.
Assure equipment is used optimally and cost-effectively.
Develop clinical and research protocols under the direction of the Medical Chairman and Clinical Director.
Work with clinical colleagues to determine the best deployment of techniques and expand equipment capabilities.
Use technical expertise to ensure cost-effective decisions are made when purchasing system upgrades for new techniques.
Oversee the radiation safety program to ensure safety for all patients and staff.
Provide guidance on radiation safety in accordance with NRC regulations (10 CFR 35.24).
Serve as the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) and member of various committees (e.g., Radiation Safety committee, Hospital Safety committee).
Consult with providers concerning patient doses and optimization of plans and delivery.
Identify radiation safety problems, initiate corrective actions, stop unsafe operations, and verify implementation of corrective actions as RSO.
Ensure science, technology, and clinical applications are applied appropriately.
Develop new methods or improve existing techniques.
Monitor current areas of active research.
Participate in multidisciplinary efforts and assist with determining suitable research projects.
Present findings at national meetings and publish in peer-reviewed journals.
Assure and teach basic physical principles to clinical and support staff in formal and informal settings.
Coordinate education programs and tutorials.

Benefits

Medical, dental and vision insurance
Employer paid group term life and disability
Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account
Flexible Spending Accounts
Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave
403(b) with a 5% employer match
Various voluntary benefits: Supplemental Life, AD&D and Disability
Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage
Tuition assistance
Student loan servicing and support
Adoption benefits
Backup Childcare and Eldercare
Employee Assistance Program, and other specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members
Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities
Discount purchasing program