Imaging Safety Educator - Sonography - Clinical Radiation Safety - Ambulatory Care Center

Imaging Safety Educator

The Imaging Safety Educator coordinates, operates, develops and administers assigned functions of the Imaging Safety and Compliance Program which includes clinical radiation safety program, ACR Accreditation, and all imaging modality regulatory compliance, set forth by federal and state regulations; accreditation standards and health system policy. This position serves in an enterprise-wide capacity.

Essential Job Statements:

Assists in the evaluation, & monitoring, of imaging health and safety initiatives in clinical practice settings. This requires specialized knowledge of Federal and Virginia state laws, regulations, imaging safety, and radiation safety principles. Writes policies and procedures based on evidence-based practices in collaboration with respective stakeholders. Coordinates and administers the compliance program for Radiologic Services as defined by CMS. Assists in coordination of American College of Radiology or other assigned Accreditations and Registries. Provides direction, education, and leadership for area of responsibility to include project evaluation, development, and implementation.

Safety and Compliance:

Coordinates and administers radiation and non-radiation safety practices and promotes compliance with health and safety regulations. Administers just-in-time coaching and training providing necessary recommendations. Coordinates and administers the compliance program for Radiologic Services as defined by CMS. Assists in coordination of American College of Radiology or other assigned Accreditations and Registries. Assists when needed, lead protective equipment, dose monitoring, Patient follow-up, personnel exposure monitoring and ALARA II Demonstrating a high level of expertise in the safe practice of radiologic technology; integrating scientific knowledge and technical skills to enhance radiation safety practices for the protection of faculty, staff, and patients. Contributing expert knowledge to influence the creation of a safe patient experience. Acting as a resource within the organization on medical imaging safety practice issues. Coordinates and administers the compliance program for Radiologic Services as defined by CMS; Assists in coordination of American College of Radiology or other assigned Accreditations and Registries. Ensures compliance with program standards as. Coordinates the collections and evaluations of information in order to identify deficiencies and opportunities for improvement relative to the TJC environment of care standards

Transformational Education:

Demonstrates a high level of expertise in the safe practice of medical imaging and radiologic technology integrating scientific knowledge and technical skills to enhance safety practices for the protection of faculty, staff, and patients. Ensures educational standards are met for all users of imaging equipment across VCUHS by: Providing radiation safety, MRI safety, Ultrasound, and other training and education to users of ionizing radiation producing and non radiation producing imaging equipment. Organizing, delivering, and/or coordinating lecture presentations electronically, in person and/or lab-style training to faculty, staff, and students. Using digital image acquisition and display; general physics and radiation production; radiation physics, principles and use of radiographic equipment and technique; fluoroscopy, quality assurance, and radiation protection. Conduct appropriate Graduate Medical Education and training for new residents and fellows. Involved in the development of respective modality procedures based on evidence-based practices. Coordinating continuing education activities and mandatory education. Fostering skill development of others. Initiating and completing unit/departmental educational needs assessment and educational plan with defined outcomes and evaluation methodology. Establishing in collaboration with director of clinical radiation safety the faculty, staff, and student competencies. Developing and implementing competency program to develop, maintain, and evaluate required staff competencies. Participating in organization wide education, staff development, and quality improvement initiatives. Developing and evaluating educational materials and teaching interventions for staff, patients, caregivers, and the community independently or in collaboration Director of Clinical Radiation Safety. Utilizing current research to develop, implement, and evaluate practice changes that enhance safety practices. Incorporating research findings into practice and standards of care, policies, and staff development programs. Contributing to the profession through participation in research, publications, consultation and/or educational activities. Writing policies based on evidence-based practices.

Interdepartmental Collaboration:

Demonstrates positive leadership and relationship development practices with Faculty, physicians, staff, and students as evidenced by: Maintaining strong collaborative relationships with stakeholders to positively influence practice habits. Collaborating in development, implementation, communication, and monitoring of policy compliance and regulatory changes related to imaging safety. Fostering effective communication practices. Promoting and managing change. Communicating effectively. Representing the office in various committees and task forces as needed.

Research, Innovation and Professional Practice:

Utilizing current research to develop, implement, and evaluate practice changes that enhance safety practices. Incorporating research findings into practice and standards of care, policies, and staff development programs. Contributing to the profession through either initiation or participation in research, publications, consultation and/or educational activities. Writing policies based on evidence-based practices.

Safety/Quality/Performance Improvement/Benchmarking:

Participates and works closely with members of the health care team in Safety/Quality/Performance Improvement/Benchmarking initiatives including participating in appropriate QAPI committees and providing dashboard information as required. Role modeling daily use of the safe behavior expectations for error prevention as personal work habits. Applying the BEEP behaviors to everyday work. Collaborating with faculty, management, and staff to establish an environment in which it is both encouraged and expected that staff speak up for safety, supporting staff in speaking up. Encouraging reporting of events and near misses. Taking action to ensure alignment of clinical activities with American College of Radiology guidelines. Working closely with departmental faculty and management (internal and external to Radiology) to identify and implement process improvement opportunities to enhance patient safety and care initiatives. Identifying, designing, and implementing new processes for continuously driving improvements and change. Utilizing the Performance Improvement methodologies to address clinical practice and system changes.

Professional Development:

Employee must maintain required continuing education credits for their professional registry renewal period. Self-directing in own professional development. Failure to achieve the required number of credits will result in the employee being ineligible to receive an overall performance rating above "Fully Meets".

Miscellaneous Responsibilities:

Performs other duties as assigned and/or participates in special projects in order to support the mission of VCUHS and the Department. Provides assistance to team members. Accepts alternate assignments, as required, graciously. Supports the department in a wide variety of logistical support functions.

Patient Population:

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide equitable care appropriate to the age of the patients served on their assigned unit.

Adults (18-64 years).

Geriatrics (65 years and older)

Employment Qualifications:

Required Education:

Bachelor's Degree in Clinical Radiation Science or closely related healthcare program, Healthcare Administration, Business Administration from an accredited program. Graduation from a medical imaging program accredited through the: Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRC-ERT) -or- Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program (CAAHEP) -or- Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Master's Degree in Clinical Radiation, Adult Education or closely related field*

*Will consider candidates without a Master's Degree who become actively enrolled in a Master's Degree Program.

*Incumbent must achieve formal acceptance in a program within one (1) year and complete the degree requirements within five (5) years of acceptance into the program to remain in the position.

Preferred Education:

Preference given to candidates with multiple certifications.

Licensure/Certification Required:

Certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) in Radiography, CT, VI, CI, CV, MR, S, or VS, or American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) in one, or more, of the following: RDMS, RDCS, or RVT or Nuclear Medicine Technologist Certification Board (NMTCB)

Licensure, Certification, or Registration Requirements for continued employment:

Current ARRT, ARDMS, ARMIT or NMTCB Certification

Licensure/Certification Preferred:

Eight (8) years of previous didactic and/or clinical teaching experience in an ARRT Recognized Accreditation

Eight (8) years of clinical imaging experience in an academic medical center environment in a variety of modalities (Diagnostic, Fluoro, CT, MRI, US, NM, IR etc.)

Minimum Qualifications:

Years and Type of Experience REQUIRED:

Minimum of five (5) years of previous didactic/clinical teaching experience in an ARRT Recognized Accreditation Agencies

Minimum of five (5) years of clinical imaging experience in any of the following modalities: Diagnostic x-ray, Fluoro, CT, MRI, US, NM, IR etc. clinical experience in an academic medical center environment

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

Cultural Responsiveness

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Preferred:

Dedication and passion to the imaging profession and patient and team member safety

Working Conditions:

Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur.

General office environment.

May be