Radiology Service Technologist (Full-Time, Permanent)

at  Providence Healthcare

Article Flag: Mandatory Vaccination Please Note:
As per the current Public Health Orders (Long Term Care/Seniors Assisted Living Provincial Health Order and the Health Sector Order), as of October 26, 2021, all employees working for Providence Health Care must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Proof of vaccination status will be required.
Summary:

LMBME - WHO WE ARE:

Lower Mainland Biomedical Engineering focuses primarily on health care technology management by providing a wide range of technical and engineering expertise. Under Providence Health Care, LMBME serves four health organizations in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia:

• Fraser Health Authority (FHA)
• Providence Health Care (PHC)
• Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA)
• Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)

LMBME acts as the technology resource and manages medical devices throughout their entire life cycle; starting from the planning for purchase and development of specifications stage, through the purchasing, implementation, maintenance, and finally, end of life and disposition stage. LMBME’s 190+ technologists support more than 100,000 medical devices spread across 27 major hospitals and additional sites such as correctional facilities, dialysis units, etc.
LMBME also plays a key role in technology management related to patient safety. It conducts medical equipment incident investigations, monitors medical equipment recalls and alerts, and identifies potential hazards with medical technology.

PROVIDENCE - WHO WE ARE:

Providence is a non-profit healthcare provider with over fifteen sites, including a large tertiary hospital in the heart of Vancouver’s beautiful and vibrant Downtown, a smaller community hospital in the idyllic Mount Pleasant neighborhood, one of the largest referral centres for rehabilitation in British Columbia, and five long-term care facilities, as well as other clinics.
As a leading teaching and research organization, and the provincial referral center for Cardiac, HIV/AIDS, and Renal Care, we provide services ranging from acute and long-term care to leading substance use and addiction treatment supporting some of BC’s most marginalized communities. Guided by the motto “how you want to be treated”, delivering exceptional patient and family-centered care is our mission.

JOB SUMMARY

The Radiology Service Technologist is part of an integrated team, which provides a full range of biomedical engineering services on medical imaging equipment, and specialized complex diagnostic high voltage and/or radiation-emitting medical imaging equipment such as Medical Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), Angiography, and Nuclear Medicine equipment in support of the safe, efficient and effective utilization of medical technology across Fraser Health, Providence Health Care, Provincial Health Services Authority and Vancouver Coastal Health (collectively, the “Organizations”). Provides biomedical services throughout Providence Healthcare in accordance with established standards and safe practices. Reviews, tracks and makes recommendations on risk mitigation and quality control activities related to a specific biomedical equipment discipline. Participates in incident investigations and hazard follow-up involving medical technology. Provides input related to device modification and capital and non-capital purchasing including the development of specifications and review of tenders as requested. Evaluates equipment to ensure it meets its original specifications and legislation and monitors equipment radiation levels using a radiation meter.
Utilizes advanced Biomedical Technologist theory and knowledge of general and specialized medical imaging equipment as well as teaching and learning principles and processes to provide technical support, advice, guidance, demonstration, education and orientation to colleagues and clinical staff on matters related to medical technology equipment such as appropriate equipment and safety practices, maintenance, repair and operation of equipment, devices and ancillary products in the clinical environment. Trains Biomedical Engineering Technologists on related medical imaging equipment as required.
Qualifications / Skills and Education:
Education
Graduation of a recognized program in Biomedical Engineering Technology, plus a minimum of four (4) years recent, related technical experience in the field of Biomedical Engineering on the maintenance/repair of medical imaging and diagnostic equipment (including relevant vendor-provided training), or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Eligibility for certification with the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of British Columbia as an Applied Science Technologist.
Valid BC Drivers License and access to a personal vehicle to travel with tools and equipment for work purposes.
Skills and Abilities
Comprehensive knowledge of the operating and maintenance practices and procedures for a wide range of medical imaging equipment and complex high-voltage and/or radiation-emitting diagnostic and interventional equipment such as MRI, CT, Nuclear Medicine and Angiography equipment.
Working knowledge of Patient Learning Systems, Equipment Alert, Hazards and Recalls and Loss Reduction.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Current computer troubleshooting and networking knowledge, and proven component-level repair skills.
Proficient knowledge in radiation safety, high voltage hazards and mechanical structures typically found in repair/maintenance of clinical imaging equipment.
Demonstrated ability to work independently when servicing medical equipment and to address issues with analytical reasoning and problem solving skills.
Demonstrated ability to effectively resolve conflict.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate in a team environment, and deal courteously with others in stressful situations.
Demonstrated ability to organize work, set objectives and establish priorities.
Demonstrated ability to operate related equipment, including test equipment and tools.
Demonstrated ability to develop educational materials and teach, demonstrate, coach and deal with others effectively in a supportive and positive manner.
Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position including good finger dexterity, close vision and colour discrimination.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Utilizing advanced and specialized theory and knowledge, performs a full range of critical, time sensitive demand service, preventative maintenance and clinical support on a wide variety of general and high complexity medical imaging equipment (including complex high voltage and/or radiation-emitting MRI, CT, Nuclear Medicine, Angiography equipment used for patient diagnosis and treatment), biomedical and electronic equipment, devices and ancillary products. Tests, calibrates, troubleshoots, inspects, repairs, maintains, modifies, installs and upgrades performance to ensure equipment, devices and ancillary products are operating safely, effectively and efficiently in the most cost effective manner in compliance with the manufacturer’s specifications.
Carries out preventative maintenance routines, inspections and evaluations using a variety of test equipment and tools such as safety analyzers, conductivity meters, oscilloscopes, multimeters and defibrillator testers to ensure medical equipment is in proper working order. Monitors radiation levels of equipment using a radiation meter to ensure levels are within currently established limits. Completes and remits forms to appropriate safety branches and/or regulatory bodies as required. Maintains and calibrates test equipment.
Undertakes a variety of risk management and quality improvement activities to enhance and ensure the safety of patients and staff by methods such as responding to incidents and participating in incident investigations and hazard follow-up involving medical technology, inspecting the equipment involved, collecting information and documenting all aspects of the investigation, and providing input into the development and implementation of recommendations to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. Identifies hazards and submits hazard reports as required when deficiencies are observed.
Mentors and orientates staff and, as required by the employer, provides technical support and education/training to staff, students and patients on matters related to medical technology equipment using educational theory and advanced knowledge of biomedical engineering practices specific to medical imaging equipment. Liaises with Director, Supervisor and team members to identify and determine user and patient needs. Reviews and evaluates technical material, compiles information such as appropriate equipment practices, develops training checklists, writes technical procedures for the operation of equipment, devices and ancillary products in the clinical environment. Prepares appropriate training materials and required audio/visual aides (liaising with applicable vendor), sets up training schedules, arranges and provides training sessions and ensures staff attendance, demonstrates technical equipment procedures to ensure optimal performance and safety, and provides advanced technical information/advice as required. Monitors learner’s progress, ensures policies and procedures are respected and provides feedback regarding individual’s progress in achieving established standards of practice. Notifies Supervisor of any performance problems/issues.
Oversees and coordinates the work activities of designated Technical Representatives from vendors by performing duties such as a scheduling activities, establishing priorities, providing orientation, facilitating workplace solutions with other departmental personnel, referring issues to supervisor and monitoring activities to ensure department standards are met and safety procedures are followed.
Attends vendor-provided factory level course(s) on specialized complex high voltage and/or radiation-emitting equipment such as MRIs, CTs and Nuclear Medicine and Angiography equipment as required by the employer.
Reviews and evaluates vendor education resources and skills training to identify learning opportunities for staff that enhance services and support ongoing professional development. Maintains related training records such as training schedules, evaluations/feedback reports and attendance information.
Attends and presents in-service education, training, demonstrations, and other technical training/education in radiation safety and imaging basics as required by the employer.
Documents activities and maintains complete and accurate records by methods such as preparing service files on existing and/or new equipment, maintaining detailed records on equipment service histories, recording all demand and preventative maintenance on equipment, and tracking warranty programs. Informs clinical staff on the status of their medical equipment inventory and prepares schedules with regard to preventative maintenance and operating procedures for equipment.
Participates in the selection, evaluation, and installation of medical equipment by gathering information and interpreting clinical needs, developing technical specifications, identifying vendors, reviewing vendor submissions, evaluating equipment for technical acceptance and safety prior to selection, and making recommendations for purchase. Works in conjunction with the vendor, the clinical area and other departments to plan and implement the installation of equipment. Performs incoming safety and performance inspections to ensure conformance with manufacturer’s specifications and other safety standards and regulations. Determines tool, instrumentation and spare part requirements for equipment maintenance and assists clinical areas in ordering accessories and supplies by identifying suitable sources, evaluating products for clinical and cost effectiveness and completing purchase requisitions as required.
Researches and provides input into the modification, redesign and/or development of biomedical devices and technology in order to improve the quality of patient care or to reduce costs.
Provides consultation, maintenance, repair at point of care to clinical areas while biomedical devices are in use.
Maintains an understanding of clinical procedures and practices involving medical devices and related technology such as sterile techniques and operating room protocol to ensure the ability to interpret customer needs. Keeps abreast of changing technologies and procedures by participating in professional development activities, reviewing journals and literature, and attending training courses and seminars. Interacts with vendors, manufacturers and regulatory agencies on technology related issues.
Performs other related duties as assigned

Please refer the Job description for details