Medical Physicist

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago provides superior pediatric care in a setting that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, research and family-friendly design. As the largest pediatric provider in the region with a 140-year legacy of excellence, kids and their families are at the center of all we do. Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is ranked in all 10 specialties by the U.S. News & World Report.

General Summary:

To provide clinical and research physics support for the programs at all Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital (LC) sponsored locations. The Medical Physicist will, under the direction of the Medical Chairman, be engaged in the design optimization, technical evaluation and precise calibration of equipment suitable for accurate radiation dose delivery.  The Physicist will also educate physicians, residents, nurses and technologists on the technical aspects of radiation delivery, as well as the radiation protection of patients and staff.  The physicist will assist in an educational program about radiation safety to the Hospital Staff at large.

This Medical Physicist role is within the Medical Imaging department, working closely with our XR, CT, Fluoroscopy, Sonography, and Nuclear Medicine teams, with a focus on Nuclear Medicine.

Essential Job Functions:

• Clinical Science support.  Actively participates in establishing a core team of Radiologists, Imaging Specialists and Clinical Scientists to provide the best balance for a good clinical service at the forefront of service provision, development and research.  Utilizes the unique combination of scientific expertise and awareness of clinical requirements that play a major role in the development and expansion of the use of specific applications into new and existing diagnostic procedures. The Clinical Scientist needs to be continually creative in all aspects of clinical service and in staff relations.

• Overview of equipment and site specifications.  The complexity of equipment and siting considerations requires the specialized knowledge of an experienced individual. The Medical Physicist should work closely with clinical colleagues to ensure sound purchasing and site planning decisions.  Appropriate technical performance criteria must be precisely and formally specified by the Medical Physicist in order to meet diagnostic needs and targets.  The Medical Physicist also ensures that site design takes into account the shielding requirements. Quality Assurance.  Assures the departmental aim of improving patient care, safety and departmental efficiency. 

• Quality Assurance (QA) is vital where quantitative measurements using images of patient anatomy or physiology are being performed. The Physicist's responsibilities will include the design, development, evaluation and supervision of a comprehensive quality control (QC) program for diagnostic imaging. This program will cover all imaging devices, including hardware, software, and peripheral configurations. The program will also include review, testing, certification, and acceptance of all patient imaging-related equipment in accordance with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the JCAHO requirements. The Physicist also oversees all technical aspects of the American College of Radiology (ACR) accreditation process including training technologists for ACR QC/QA phantom testing, monitoring and maintaining weekly QA data and performing the annual system performance evaluation for submission to the ACR.

• Optimization of Techniques/Clinical Applications.  The Physicist will assure equipment is used optimally and cost effectively.  Under the direction of the Medical Chairman, and Clinical Director, develops clinical and research protocols. Must work with clinical colleagues in determining how best to deploy these techniques.  Expands the capabilities of the equipment in this way, the useful life and efficiency of the system may be extended.  Must use technical expertise in ensuring cost effective decisions are made when purchasing the system upgrades necessary to implement new techniques.  

• Oversee the radiation safety program. Ensures safety is maintained for all patients and staff.  Provides guidance of radiation safety as outlined in accordance with the NRC regulations (10 CFR 35.24).  Serve as the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) and member of various committees such as the Radiation Safety committee, Hospital Safety committee and consult with providers, as required, concerning patient doses and optimization of plans and delivery. As RSO, sufficient authority is given to identify radiation safety problems; initiate, recommend, or provide corrective action plans; stop unsafe operations and verify implementation of corrective actions.

• Research and Development.  Ensures the science, technology and clinical applications are applied appropriately.  Instrumental in developing new methods or improving existing techniques.  Monitors current areas of active research.  Participates in multidisciplinary efforts and assists with determination of most suitable research projects. Expected to present findings at national meetings and publish in peer reviewed journals.

• Education and Staff Development. Must assure and teach the basic physical principles to a wide range of clinical and support staff in both formal and informal settings. Co-ordinates education programs and tutorials.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Master of Science or Doctoral degree in Radiological Physics, Physics, or related discipline, PhD preferred.

• Must also meet any qualifications imposed by the federal or state radiation control agency to practice radiation oncology physics and/or provide oversight of the establishment and conduct of the radiation quality management program.

• Upon completion of 1 year of employment, meet the necessary education, training, and experience requirements of the licensing regulatory agency to be approved as a Radiation Safety Officer (RSO).

Education

Pay Range

At Lurie Children’s, we are committed to competitive and fair compensation aligned with market rates and internal equity, reflecting individual contributions, experience, and expertise. The pay range for this job indicates minimum and maximum targets for the position. Ranges are regularly reviewed to stay aligned with market conditions.In addition to base salary, Lurie Children’s offer a comprehensive rewards package that may include differentials for some hourly employees, leadership incentives for select roles, health and retirement benefits, and wellbeing programs. For more details on other compensation, consult your recruiter or click the following link to learn more about our benefits.

Benefit Statement

For full time and part time employees who work 20 or more hours per week we offer a generous benefits package that includes:

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Employer paid group term life and disability

Employer contribution toward Health Savings Account

Flexible Spending Accounts

Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave

403(b) with a 5% employer match

Various voluntary benefits:

• Supplemental Life, AD&D and Disability
• Critical Illness, Accident and Hospital Indemnity coverage
• Tuition assistance
• Student loan servicing and support
• Adoption benefits
• Backup Childcare and Eldercare
• Employee Assistance Program, and other specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members
• Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities
• Discount purchasing program

There’s a Place for You with Us

At Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and its affiliates (collectively “Lurie Children’s”), we embrace and celebrate diversity and equity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team with a variety of backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints — recognizing that diverse identities strengthen our workplace and the care we can provide to the Chicago community and beyond. We treat everyone fairly, appreciate differences, and make meaningful connections that foster belonging and allyship. This is a place where you can be your best, so we can give our best to the patients and families who trust us with their care.  

Lurie Children’s and its affiliates are equal employment opportunity employers.  We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status, order of protection status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

For questions about how to request an accommodation please contact: employeehealth@luriechildrens.org

AI Notice

Lurie Children’s utilizes certain AI-enabled features within our recruiting platform to support candidate engagement and assist recruiters in identifying and prioritizing applicants whose experience aligns with job requirements. All employment decisions are made by individuals.

It is a civil rights violation with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotion, or employment for an employer to use artificial intelligence that has the effect of subjecting employees to discrimination on the basis of protected classes under the Illinois Human Rights Act or to use zip codes as a proxy for protected classes.

For questions about the use of artificial intelligence in this process or any additional support, please contact: peoplequestions@luriechildrens.org