Career Connect

The Department of Radiology at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, part of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, is seeking a 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. Salary range is $130,000 - $200,000. Compensation and academic rank will vary based on credentials, expertise, and experience. Columbia offers a generous benefits package, including college tuition and childcare reimbursement, tuition exemption for faculty members who wish to pursue graduate programs, 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 21 MRI units, 20 CT scanners including 5 PET/CTs and 3 SPECT/CTs, 23 special procedures suites, 37 fixed radiography and R/F rooms, 10 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 2 PhDs and 4 MS-level physicists, as well as two 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.

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)
Columbia University Irving Medical Center
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
kah2212@cumc.columbia.edu

Job Responsibilities:

• 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 guidance 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.

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.
• Extensive experience with a wide range of radiology imaging equipment, including CT, mammography, general radiography (CR/DR), fluoroscopy (II/FPD), MRI, and ultrasound.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• In-depth 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.
• 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).
• If not already NYS licensed, must obtain NYS licensure in diagnostic medical physics within 6 months of starting.
• MQSA certification is preferred, ensuring proficiency in mammography.

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University and the Department of Radiology are committed to the diversity of its faculty. Outstanding female and underrepresented minority scholars are strongly encouraged to apply. 

The above salary range represents Columbia’s good faith and reasonable estimate of possible compensation at the time of posting.

About Columbia University Irving Medical Center

The Department of Radiology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center is dedicated to translating innovation in imaging into compassionate and equitable patient-centered care. Service to current and future patients is the basis for our deep commitment to pursue both scientific excellence in imaging research and outstanding training for the next generation of radiologists and imaging scientists.

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