Job Description

The Department of Radiology at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, part of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, is seeking a junior clinical diagnostic medical physicist to join our clinical medical physics group, which provides diagnostic imaging physics services to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and offsite locations. Join a collegial team and play a significant role in advancing medical imaging at one of the nation's top academic medical centers.

The successful candidate will report directly to the Chief of Medical Physics. The salary range is $120,000 - $140,000. Compensation and academic rank will vary based on credentials, expertise, and experience. Columbia offers a generous benefits package, including college tuition and childcare reimbursement, generous retirement plans, and excellent health and dental coverage.

Columbia University Irving Medical Center consists of a main campus with a 1300-bed hospital located in Manhattan, a community hospital, and several satellite medical offices. The imaging equipment consists of 23 MRI units, 21 CT scanners including 6 PET/CTs and 3 SPECT/CTs, 24 special procedure suites, 38 fixed radiography and R/F rooms, 11 digital mammography units, and a large number of mobile radiographic, mobile fluoroscopy, and ultrasound units. In total, there are more than 225 X-ray tubes.

The diagnostic radiology physics group is comprised of three PhDs and three MS-level physicists, as well as three medical physics assistants. ACR accreditation is maintained for mammography, MRI, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, PET, and CT. Most of the equipment and facilities have recently been modernized.

Job Responsibilities:

• Please note that since this opening is for a junior position, modality specific training will be provided as needed to ensure competency to perform surveys independently and successfully. The following responsibilities are listed in this context.
• Conduct acceptance testing, periodic diagnostic x-ray equipment testing, and quality assurance surveys across a wide range of modalities, including CT, mammography, general radiography, fluoroscopy, MRI, and ultrasound.
• Oversee radiographic technologist QA programs, PDM QA review, and contribute to ACR accreditation for CT, mammography, MRI, and ultrasound.
• Prepare and maintain equipment testing records to comply with regulatory standards from NYC-DOH, NYS-DOH, MQSA, FDA, TJC, ACR, and other pertinent bodies.
• Provide assistance on CT and MRI imaging protocol optimization, CT dose tracking, and MRI safety practices, including evaluation of MR-conditional devices and site safety audits.
• Engage in educational activities, teaching radiology residents, and training healthcare staff on, e.g., phantom scans related to equipment quality assurance.
• Collaborate with other departments and liaise with inspectors and regulators to maintain compliance and excellence in diagnostic imaging services.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Good understanding of the rules, guidelines, and standards of regulatory and accrediting bodies.
• Exceptional communication skills in all means of communication, capable of effective interaction at all levels of hospital staff across a multitude of departments.
• Strong interpersonal skills, essential for teamwork and problem-solving.

More information about the department can be found on the Columbia Radiology website. To apply, please email a curriculum vitae and statement of interest to: 

Klaus A. Hamacher, PhD

Associate Professor of Radiology (Physics) at CUIMC

Columbia University Irving Medical Center 

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

kah2212@cumc.columbia.edu

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• MS or PhD in medical physics, radiological physics, or a related field.
• Preferred Mammography MQSA certification.
• Having, or being eligible for, NYSED licensure in diagnostic radiological medical physics.
• Clinical experience in diagnostic imaging quality assurance, preferably in a university hospital setting.
• Comprehensive experience with a wide range of radiology imaging equipment, including CT, mammography, general radiography (CR/DR), fluoroscopy (II/FPD), MRI, and ultrasound.
• Must be fluent in MS Office, with additional programming skills preferred.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Board certification in diagnostic medical physics by the American Board of Radiology (ABR) or at least already eligible to take part II of the ABR exam in diagnostic medical physics.
• If not already NYS licensed, must obtain NYS licensure in diagnostic medical physics within one year of starting.
• MQSA certification is preferred.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Pay Transparency Disclosure

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.