MRI Technician

MRI Technician

Axle is a bioscience and information technology company that offers advancements in translational research, biomedical informatics, and data science applications to research centers and healthcare organizations nationally and abroad. With experts in biomedical science, software engineering, and program management, we focus on developing and applying research tools and techniques to empower decision-making and accelerate research discoveries. We work with some of the top research organizations and facilities in the country including multiple institutes at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Axle is seeking an MRI Technician to join our vibrant team at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) supporting the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) located in Baltimore, MD.

Benefits We Offer:

• 100% Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage for Employees
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• 401K match up to 5%
• Educational Benefits for Career Growth
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Flexible Spending Accounts:
• Healthcare (FSA)
• Parking Reimbursement Account (PRK)
• Dependent Care Assistant Program (DCAP)
• Transportation Reimbursement Account (TRN)

Position Information:

Under this task order, the contractor will independently provide support services to satisfy the overall operational objectives of the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The primary objective is to provide services and deliverables through performance of support services. Hours will initially be evenings (11:30-8pm) but may eventually move to include weekends in the future subject to changes in clinic operating hours.

Additional Qualifications:

Certifications & Licenses:

• AART certification

Field of Study:

• Miscellaneous Health Medical Professions

Software:

• MS office suite

Skills:

• Interpersonal skills due to extensive participant contact.

Deliverables:

• Work products and documents related to research procedures; operate Siemens scanner for human research utilizing both structural and functional MRI. - Ad-Hoc
• Work products and documents related to performing different pulse sequence and activation paradigms; focus on reproducibility and quality assurance. - Ad-Hoc
• Work products and documents related to performing study testing and observations duties. - Ad-Hoc
• Work products and documents related to acclimating participants with the MRI scanner; perform research related manipulations during MRI experiments. - Ad-Hoc
• Work products and documents related to creating, entering and maintaining data spreadsheets. - Ad-Hoc
• Clean Equipment - Daily
• Inspect Equipment - Daily

Statement of Work Details:

• Ensure that everyone entering the scanner room is appropriately screened for MRI contraindications; maintain records of all MRI screening documentation. - 1
• Ensure that all research participants, patients and visitors are free of metal objects and other exclusion criteria. - 2
• Perform clinical and research MRI procedures on patients, including standard clinical MRI scans or more specialized research studies. - 3
• Collect Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) brain images, functional MRI images and MR spectra (Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy). - 4
• Ensure that all human experiments conducted follow applicable NIH standards and regulations. - 5
• Perform regular quality assurance procedures on the scanner, data acquisition and archiving of imaging data
• Operate 3T Siemens scanner for human brain research utilizing MR spectroscopy, structural and functional MRI
• Ensure that all human experiments conducted follow applicable NIH standards and regulations
• Act as a participant advocate for participant safety and comfort
• Ensure that MR imaging, behavioral and physiological data collected are of the highest quality
• Execute research projects focusing on reproducibility and quality assurance of different pulse sequence and activation paradigms with the assistance of an MR physicist
• Assist in training research fellows and other NIDA employees to perform MR studies
• Advise staff on any problems that may need attention as well as provide guidance and ensure that scanning logistics, scheduling and supplies are taken care of in a timely fashion
• Ensure that the MRI suite and mock scanner room are clean, in order and appropriately stocked with supplies to provide a clean environment for participants
• Participate in developing and maintaining research protocol documentation and operations
• Operate various research equipment following the training by and supervision of senior PhD MD level personnel Physicists, neuroscientists, physicians including, but not limited to EEG, MRI, TMS, tDCS
• Maintain MRI schedule
• Perform research procedures on research participants and participate in the evaluation of new imaging methods and techniques utilizing Magnetic Resonance Imaging MRI and transcranial magnetic stimulation TMS
• Create multiple redundant backups of all imaging data acquired, including past (historic) studies
• Executes research projects focusing on reproducibility and quality assurance of different pulse sequence and activation paradigms with the assistance of an MRI Physicist.
• Set up all MRI-specific equipment and matrix camera, coils and display equipment for functional imaging.
• Operate the control console during scanning, including selecting proper imaging sequence.
• Execute research projects focusing on reproducibility and quality assurance of different pulse sequence and activation paradigms with the assistance of an MR physicist.
• Perform regular quality assurance procedures on MRI scanner and instruments.
• Organizes data into computerized data sets.
• Archive all image data and transfer of clinical images to the PACS system and the research data to off-line computer workstations; ensure that all study information is available in PACS and ready for radiologist review.
• Transfer both raw and post-processed images and data to specified databases and/or secure storage media (secure external hard drives and/or DVDs), where they can be stored safely.
• Log all scans performed in the appropriate logbook.
• Enter participant/patient data at start of scanning and monitor data acquisition during scanning.
• Create, enter and maintain research data on associated reports and spreadsheets.
• Ensure that MR imaging, behavioral and physiological data collected are of the highest quality.
• Collect and archive MRI data.
• Acts as subject/patient advocate, monitoring comfort and subject cooperation with experimental protocol physiological parameters (pulse rate, respiration, oxygen saturation), and length of time of research exams.
• Adhere to safety precautions and procedures that govern the MRI Facility.
• Ensure the participant's or patient's safety and comfort throughout scanning using the patient monitoring system.
• Transfer, position and instruct research participants and/or patients regarding the procedure to obtain the desired radiographic results as specified by the research study.
• Act as a participant advocate for participant safety and comfort.
• Perform all aspects of standard clinical imaging – prepare the patients to be scanned; explain the MRI procedure; address MRI safety screening for contraindications.
• Operates the scanner during both anatomical and functional imaging experiments.
• Operate the MRI scanner doing structural and functional imaging and MR spectroscopy studies, which are part of clinical research studies.
• Operate the control console during scanning; select proper imaging sequences; operate peripheral hardware for effective image and data acquisition.
• Perform standard clinical and more specialized research MRI procedures on patients (e.g., functional MRI, diffusion MRI, MR spectroscopy).
• Schedules investigators' time on the scanner.
• Assist in scheduling of research participants for MRI scans to achieve a smooth flow and optimal utilization of the Facility.
• Solves MRI related technical questions by designing and performing independent technical research work.
• Attend staff meetings to indicate MRI protocol progress/issues.
• Trains users on how to operate the scanner and gain independence in their experiments.
• Track all training and coordinate renewal of training.
• Provides input to decide what modifications of the unit are necessary to produce optimum image spectra and most efficient use of the scanner.
• Schedule and coordinate all non-routine scanner maintenance.

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