MR Technologist (casual)

Staff – Non Union

Job Category
M&P – AAPS

Job Profile
AAPS Hourly – MR Technologist

Job Title
MR Technologist (casual)

Department
Upright Open MRI Shared Research Facilities

Compensation Range

Posting End Date
October 4, 2022

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

Sep 30, 2024

This position is located within a health-care facility, therefore, the successful candidate will be required to provide proof of full vaccination against Covid-19 provided prior to the start date, as required by a provincial health mandate

CONTACT DETAILS

Please feel free to contact Amy Phillips with questions or to express interest:

amy.phillips@ubc.ca

604 318 2983

Job Summary

This is a casual, hourly position, with shifts fluctuating weekly. Shifts will be scheduled around the successful candidate’s availability.

The Upright Open MRI Technologist will be responsible for scanning research participants at UBC’s Upright Open MRI imaging suite, located at Vancouver General Hospital in the Blackmore Pavilion. The Upright Open MRI imaging suite is a UBC Shared Research Platform in the portfolio of the Vice President of Research and Innovation, entirely dedicated to research.

This position requires creativity and out-of-the-box thinking to develop, alongside the researchers, positioning and scanning protocols for specific research studies. Protocol development scanning is done with healthy volunteers. Once the protocols are established, the MR technologist will scan research participants according to the protocol for the specific study. A researcher is always present during scanning to assist with positioning and scanning and obtaining research ethics consent, etc.

The work hours for this position are very flexible – we can schedule your shifts around your existing schedule. Shifts can be full-day or half-day, during regular business hours or in the evenings, on weekdays or weekends. Ideally, the casual MRI technologist will work 1-5 shifts with us per month, as their schedule permits and as needed by research studies. 

ABOUT THE SCANNER

The Upright Open MRI is a “MROpen” 0.5T vertically open MRI scanner, manufactured by ASG Superconductors (formerly Paramed Medical Systems) in Italy. The vertically open bore allows for scanning in a wide range of positions such as standing, sitting, squatting, in flexion or extension. Research participants must be sufficiently stabilized with foam pads and cushions to prevent motion artefacts. All participants in the same research study must be positioned in the same way.

UBC’s Upright Open MRI scanner is most often used for scanning in functional, weight-bearing positions. The most frequently scanned anatomy includes knees, hips, spine, and bladder, and we are actively looking to expand to scanning additional anatomy for new research areas. There are approximately 5-8 active research studies at any given time.

Organizational Status
The successful candidate as casual Upright Open MRI Technologist for the UBC Upright Open MRI Shared Research Platform will report to the Platform Manager. UBC Shared Research Platforms are in the VP Research and Innovation portfolio.
Work Performed

The casual Upright Open MRI Technologist is responsible for:

• MRI safety screening of researchers (done annually) and participants prior to entering the scanner room and scanning.

• Maintaining a safe environment for research participants, researchers, and visitors. Ensuring that safety policies are followed by all.

• Checking all equipment in the electrical room and performing Quality Assurance scans at the beginning of each shift.

• For on-going studies: positioning participants (with help from the researcher) and executing the study’s scanning protocols.

• Developing positioning and scanning protocols for new research studies, working alongside researchers.

• Documenting study notes in the Participant Log Book and the Scanning Notes book.

• Ordering and restocking linens.

• Occasionally conducting safety training sessions for researchers, although this is normally done by the Upright Open MRI manager.

• Occasional troubleshooting of performance issues and notifying the Upright Open MRI manager and/or the service engineers to address the issue.

• Transferring MRI scans to the UBC MRI server at the end of each scanning session.

• Being accountable for the ethical, legal, and professional responsibilities related to MRI practice and research studies. This includes maintaining confidentiality of all scanning and research information, including participant names and personal details.

• Reporting incidents and/or incidental findings as per the established procedures.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Exercises professional judgment in working with subjects requiring MR Imaging. Any deviation from this will result in a negative impact to research projects.
Supervision Received

The casual Upright Open MRI Technologist will report to the Upright Open MRI Shared Research Platform Manager.

Supervision Given
Provides direction to both MR and non-MR personnel in regards to MRI safety

Minimum Qualifications

• Qualified clinical MRI Technologist with CAMRT Certification (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).

• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) Certification.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least 3 years’ experience working in MRI, including in research settings.

• Health Canada Good Clinical Practices and TCPS Core 2 Certification.

Skills:

• Demonstrated computer skills including the ability to work with a clinical and research computerized information system.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the standards of practice and guidelines for Diagnostic Imaging practitioners established by the CAMRT.

• Demonstrated knowledge and practice of safe work procedures with radiology equipment.

• Demonstrated knowledge of Hospital and Radiology Information Systems.

• Ability to recognize potentially dangerous situations and take appropriate action.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate (orally and in writing) and deal effectively with coworkers, researchers and their collaborators, other health care staff and staff of external agencies.

• Demonstrated ability to deal with and/or guide others in resolution of conflict issues.

• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and prioritize work.

• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment.

• Ability to exercise tact and discretion.

• Flexibility to deal with unforeseen challenges that come up in implementing new imaging protocols.

• Interest in developing and applying new, creative solutions to unique imaging challenges.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.