BIOMEDICAL ENGINEER II

Job Description

The Nuclear Medicine / PET specialist position is the expert on medical nuclear medicine and PET systems used throughout the TCH enterprise. Their responsibility includes proper and improper use, safety, equipment functions and capabilities, diagnosis and problem solving, resolution, communication with various employees, both clinical and non-clinical, vendors, and CE management.


The Nuclear Medicine Specialist coordinates activities that improve the overall proficiency level in the various departments using nuclear medicine services throughout the organization such as, but not limited to, defining training objectives, providing specialized training for clinical staff, interfacing to PACS or networks, service/support, etc. In this role, the Nuclear Medicine Specialist is expected to have knowledge on the multitudes of nuclear medicine imaging equipment throughout the organization.


The Nuclear Medicine Specialist serves as the primary point of contact and acts as a liaison between the TCH Enterprise and the manufacturer; shall assist with quality problems, as well as the resolution and escalation of technical or clinical issues; and ensures preventive maintenance/repairs are performed in accordance with the manufacturer guidelines and requirement for accreditation.


The Nuclear Medicine Specialist should have advanced nuclear medicine imaging experience and training. This position will support various nuclear medicine systems; will provide QA, QC, safety testing, evaluation, interfacing, and technical support-diagnosis; repair or coordinate repairs with vendor.


The Nuclear Medicine Specialist should have knowledge of medical terminology and clinical workflow combined with proactive customer service that will contribute to the improvement of TCH's clinical outcomes. In addition, the person who holds this position should have knowledge of nuclear isotopes, proper safety procedures, medical physics, safety policies and techniques, electronics, networking (DICOM, LH-7, TCP/IP), and network protocols. Must have good electro-mechanical skill sets. Some exposure to radioactive isotopes and x-rays are anticipated in this role, and it is expected that all safety and proper processes are followed to protect themselves and others.


This position works independently and must possess the ability for critical thinking, excellent judgment, and discretion in determining system performance and applications.

Responsibilities

Assists equipment operational issues and document operator error problems. Provides additional clinical interact/training to minimize unnecessary equipment downtime.


Performs advanced diagnosis, installation/upgrade, and service/repair on assigned systems. Understands various diagnostic techniques, including but not limited to root cause analysis to solve technical or clinical issues.


Acts as a coordinator and conduit of information between the nuclear medicine user staff, vendors, and other technical providers (e.g. IT, other CE teams, and facilities). Maintains communications with customers (RNs, nuclear medicine techs), vendors, imaging engineers, BMETS, CE-IT, and IT to ensure resolution and proper follow-up. Keeps clinical engineering management or other clinical engineering teams informed of issues and requirements.


Is able to design, implement, and document devices used to test nuclear medicine devices, setups, or software prior to use on procedures. Has the ability to understand design theory, including electrical, ultrasonic physics, mechanical, biomedical, and software/network theory (e.g. TCP/IP and Ethernet).


Creates and provides training classes for nuclear medicine system setups involving multiple devices, cabling, software, and imaging systems.


Performs initial equipment inspection and setup on new devices, and systems prior to use in procedures. Ensures setup meets all safety, manufacturer and clinical engineering medical equipment procedures or policies. Performs QA and Probe Support for all nuclear medicine imaging systems.


Performs or ensures preventative maintenance, QA, and functional inspections are performed in accordance with the manufacturer guidelines and requirements and documented in accordance with clinical engineering medical equipment management program to meet Joint Commission, CMS, ACR Accreditation, or other regulatory or accreditation agencies.


Provides project management, attends meetings regarding new procedures and techniques/devices, and is able to meet milestones or deadlines.


Documents all work in Clinical Engineering medical systems management system in accordance with CE policies.

On-call responsibility systems maintained by this position or other critical areas as deemed necessary by the manager, director, and administration.

Other job duties as needed.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

Please describe any specialized knowledge or skills, which are REQUIRED to perform the position duties. Do not personalize the job description, credentials, or knowledge and skills based on the current associate. List any special education required for this position.

EDUCATION:


Minimum: Associate Degree in Biomedical Engineering Technology or Electro-Mechanical Technology, or Imaging Technology or equivalent experience and training. Preferred: Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical or Biomedical Engineering or advanced OEM training and experience can be equivalent. Preference is also given to previous training/education in nuclear medicine/PET systems, networks, clinical documentation systems and device integration. Equivalent training and experience in the military can be considered.


Manufacturer training is essential, and must have proven customer management skills.

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE: Minimum of 5 years of experience & OEM training. Also dependent on capabilities and skill sets.


REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:


Knowledge of nuclear medicine theory and physics along with advanced computer systems skills. Skill set must include proven ability to understand and diagnose complex systems made up of many sub-systems and modules. Understand and know how to apply image quality theory to nuclear medicine devices to ensure their proper operation and continued design performance. Knowledge of proper safety procedures in handling and using nuclear isotopes, x-rays and PET isotopes when servicing the equipment.


This position requires the ability to troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair complex hardware and software systems for which responsibility is assumed. Strong training skills with the ability to apply clinical workflow knowledge to enhance adoption and usage of system to improve patient safety and clinical outcomes is required. Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with end-users and across cultures.


Computer system, networking and communication protocols knowledge and skills. This includes operating systems (OS), Ethernet, serial communication, database, HL-7, DICOM, and server/workstation hardware. Ability to learn new systems quickly. Intermediate to advanced experience with MS Office

Requires independent thought and ability to make accurate judgments on the fly. Works independently with little direction and must be self-starting, highly motivated, and willing/ability to continuously learn.


This position requires the ability to troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair complex hardware and software systems.


Strong training skills with the ability to apply clinical workflow knowledge to enhance adoption and usage of system to improve patient safety and clinical outcomes is required.


Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with end-users and across cultures.


Knowledge of JCAHO, OSHA, HIPAA, and SMDA policies and regulations; and experience in incident investigation and quality assurance inspections is preferred.


LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS:

Eligible for Certificate of Radiology Equipment Specialist (CRES). Advanced training from OEMs or military on nuclear medicine cameras, PET, and CT scanners used with both. Network and DICOM or PACS certifications desirable.