Salary Range: $90,770-$130,481/year. The starting salary for this position would be determined with consideration of the successful candidate’s relevant education and experience, and would be in alignment with the provincial compensation reference plan. Salary will be prorated accordingly for part time roles.

Job Summary:

In accordance with the Mission, Vision, Values 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 Medical Physics Resident, Medical Imaging provides physics and other specialized skills to support the technical requirements of Medical Imaging.  Medical Physicists at this level are trainees and operate under the direction of certified medical physicists. Medical Physics Residents are trained under 2 separate streams: 1) Diagnostic Imaging, and 2) Nuclear Medicine.

Responsibilities are to: assist clinical and technical staff in the provision of high quality imaging; evaluate and troubleshoot the performance of all imaging systems; participate in the investigation of unusual or accidental exposures; participate in ensuring the safety of patients with respect to radiation; perform specification and comparative assessment of equipment at acquisition; teach aspects of x-ray physics and radiation protection to appropriate staff; maintain awareness of related computer technology and developments in software; and participate in the design and setup of new facilities or imaging rooms as required.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1. Clinical Support
The Medical Physic Resident assists clinical and technical staff in the provision of high-quality imaging.
a)    Consultation with physicians and technologists regarding imaging protocols,
b)    Assists in clinical trials and development as necessary.

2. Quality Control
The Medical Physics Resident will learn all aspects of imaging including:
a)    Routine evaluation of the performance of all imaging systems as listed in the Resident Handbook,
b)    Routine evaluation of ancillary equipment used to measure and/or quantify radioactivity,
c)    Routine evaluation of personal protective equipment used in medical imaging and nuclear medicine,
d)    Regulatory requirements for equipment performance as specified variously by Health Canada Safety Codes, The College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC (Diagnostic Accreditation Program), Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and WorkSafe BC,
e)    Helping service personnel trouble-shoot difficult or unusual system problems,
f)    Assist qualified medical physicists develop QC related tools.

3. Staff Radiation Safety
Under the direction of the Radiation Safety Officer, the Resident will participate in the following to ensure the radiation safety of staff and patients:
a)    Routine monitoring of hospital staff who are exposed to ionizing radiation in their work,
b)    Supervision of the personnel dosimetry service,
c)    Investigation of unusual or accidental exposures,
d)    Monitoring of radiation levels e.g. surveys of imaging and therapy facilities,
e)    Providing training in radiation safety to all appropriate staff,
f)    Assurance that all aspects of license compliance are met including Safety Code 35, CNSC and WorkSafe BC.

4. Radiation Safety of Patients
In keeping with the goal of the Region to optimize patient doses the Resident will be expected to gain knowledge and participate in the following to ensure the radiation safety of patients:
a)    Routine testing of accuracy of dose display systems in radiography, fluoroscopy, CT, and Nuclear Medicine,
b)    In collaboration with the radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians, will ensure that new techniques meet the dose goals of the region (subject to selected stream),
c)    Assessment of any accidental or unusual radiation exposures.

5. Equipment Evaluation, Selection and Commissioning
The Resident will learn and then be responsible for ensuring that equipment used in the region meets the needs of the program and that complete and accurate data are measured and available for all equipment.
a)    Remaining up-to-date on all imaging equipment and new technologies.
b)    Carrying out acceptance testing of new equipment under the guidance of a certified medical physicist.
c)    Commissioning equipment for clinical use including the measurement of all relevant parameters, the preparation of tables and other documents required for clinical implementation, and searching for unusual or unexpected behaviour, under the guidance of a certified medical physicist.

6. Education
Medical Physicists are responsible for teaching aspects of imaging physics and radiation protection to hospital staff in the region.  Residents will acquire skills to allow them to be involved in the following activities:
a)    Teaching and training of technologists,
b)    Teaching of radiation protection to ancillary staff and nursing staff.

7. Computer Technology and Communication
Computer technology is progressively playing a more central role in clinical care.  Residents will acquire the knowledge and may be assigned responsibility for the computers and software used in the practice of medicine.
a)    Keeping up to date on latest computer technology and developments in software; assisting in selection of systems,
b)    Programming for specific requirements,
c)    Setting up communications between computer systems,
d)    Training users.

8. Facility Design (other than radiation protection)
New facility design requires many considerations such as equipment siting and physical layout, and many other factors that require the participation of a Medical Physicist. Residents will acquire the knowledge for:
a)    Assisting in designing x-ray facilities,
b)    Specification of shielding requirements for imaging and other rooms using radionuclides.

9. Carries out responsibilities in accordance with health and safety requirements.  Immediately reports unsafe situations by notifying supervisor or other appropriate personnel. 

10. Responsible for other tasks as required.

 

Qualifications:

• Master of Science in Medical Physics or Doctoral degree in Medical Physics or Biophysics from a recognized program, or an equivalent degree accepted by the American Board of Radiology or Canadian College of Physics in Medicine as equivalent.
• Valid Driver’s License to operate a vehicle in BC is required.
• Travel within Lower Mainland Medical Imaging may require the use of a vehicle for which mileage and parking will be reimbursed in accordance with the organization’s current Terms and Conditions.

Role Specific Expertise:

• Demonstrated ability to provide a high standard of medical physics services.
• Demonstrated interpersonal, organizational, analytical, verbal and written communication and teaching skills.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.