At Houston Methodist, the Senior Magnetic Resonance Imaging Physicist position is responsible for leading a team of imaging physicists, assuring diagnostic image quality, rapid adoption of cutting edge techniques, standardization and training across all MRI systems. In this position you will work on developing, implementing, evaluating, and applying MRI image acquisition and analysis techniques for the MRI scanners, working with the quality assurance program and having a direct impact on improvement of the clinical practice by collaborating and integrating work with the imaging scientists, radiologists, and collaborators across other disciplines.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Collaborate with physicians on projects evaluating new medical applications or magnetic resonance.

• Expert on an assigned technical or clinical application; reporting on new technologies within the MRI unit

• Serves as preceptor, mentor and resource to other imaging physicists, helping to advance their professional practice, providing guidance with project development, implementation, evaluation, research. Role models accountability for improvement of department score for employee engagement.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Setting and validating protocols, optimizing sequences for image quality and acquisition time.

• Conducts acceptance test on new equipment and timely physics survey for all diagnostic imaging devices (MRI, CT, mammography, fluoroscopy, DR, and other modalities as needed)

• Designs appropriate radiation shielding for site planning.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Ongoing testing for performance and safety standards pertinent to magnetic resonance imaging equipment.

• Pulse sequence programming, and establishing quality assurance/control programs to ensure consistent performance.

• Tracks radiation dose according and maintains compliance with Joint Commission and other regulatory agencies, and utilizes the results to improve clinical practice.

• Enhances laser safety with regard to education, auditing, and credentialing.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides equipment recommendations and evaluations of value and performance on possible equipment purchases.

• Uses resources efficiently to maximize utilization of time and equipment. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks for self and area(s) of responsibility/assigned team members to meet the labor productivity standards.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Partners with departments to implement required and best practice QA imaging procedures in a manner that is not too onerous on staff.

• Demonstrates professional growth through networking and attendance at professional society meetings to maintain familiarity with new equipment and new techniques.

• Initiates opportunities to identify self-development needs and expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development as an Imaging Physicist, taking appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• PhD in imaging physics or engineering preferred.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 5 years' experience in the diagnostic imaging field.

• Knowledgeable in pulse sequence programming and image reconstruction principles; extensive experience working on MRI instruments from multiple manufactures.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• N/A

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional No
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* Yes

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Houston Methodist Research Institute was formed in 2004 to rapidly and efficiently translate discoveries made in the laboratory and the clinic into new diagnostics, therapies, and treatments. The research institute was created to provide the infrastructure and support for these endeavors, and to house the technology and resources needed to make innovative breakthroughs in important areas of human disease. A 540,000 square foot building dedicated to research, the research institute houses over 1,500 staff and trainees, 284 principal investigators and has more than 570 ongoing clinical trials.