Biomedical Engineer at NSIA-LUTH Cancer Center (NLCC)

JOB PURPOSE:     

Maintain, install, and support specialized medical equipment like radiation therapy machines and diagnostic imaging systems as well as collaborate with doctors to develop and implement new technologies, ensure regulatory compliance, train staff, and manage equipment risk and maintenance to support patient care.  

Equipment management 

• Preventative maintenance: Develop and implement a rigorous schedule for preventative maintenance and calibration of all biomedical equipment, such as Varian Vital Beam and True Beam linear accelerators, CT scanners, MRI machines, and PET scanners. 
• Repairs and troubleshooting: Perform complex repairs and system diagnostics on medical devices. Coordinate with vendors and third-party service providers for highly technical issues. 
• Installation and commissioning: Manage the installation and acceptance testing of new equipment to ensure it meets manufacturer specifications and safety standards before clinical use. 
• Inventory management: Maintain a detailed inventory of all medical devices, including service history, maintenance logs, and asset status.  

Quality assurance and regulatory compliance 

• Quality control: Conduct regular quality assurance checks on radiation delivery and imaging equipment to ensure accuracy and precision for safe and effective treatments. 
• Radiation safety: Collaborate with medical physicists to ensure radiation safety protocols are followed for both patients and staff. 
• Regulatory adherence: Ensure all equipment and procedures are compliant with applicable federal, state, and accreditation standards (e.g., FDA, Joint Commission, AAPM). 
• Incident investigation: Lead investigations into equipment-related incidents, perform root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.  

Technical support and collaboration 

• Technical support: Provide on-site technical support to physicians, radiation therapists, and other clinical staff for all medical equipment. 
• Training: Instruct and train clinical personnel on the safe and proper operation of medical devices and new technologies. 
• Clinical liaison: Serve as the technical expert during planning sessions with radiation oncologists and medical dosimetrists to verify the mathematical accuracy of treatment plans. 
• Multidisciplinary teamwork: Collaborate with various hospital departments, including IT, administration, and procurement, to support equipment-related needs.  

Research and development 

• Innovation: Research, evaluate, and advise on new and emerging medical technologies to advance the center\\\'s capabilities. 
• Process improvement: Develop and refine technical procedures and protocols to optimize equipment performance and workflow efficiency. 
• Capital planning: Assist with capital asset and infrastructure planning for future medical equipment acquisitions and upgrades.  

Radiation therapy 

• Linear accelerators: Maintain linear accelerators that produce high-energy radiation to treat 
• cancerous tumors, including technologies like Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). 
• Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT): Oversee IGRT systems that use imaging technology  to precisely target tumors, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. 
• Brachytherapy: Manage high-dose-rate brachytherapy machines that place radioactive  sources directly inside or next to the treatment area.  

REQUISITE QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE 

• Education: A Bachelor\\\'s and Master\\\'s degree in Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Engineering, or a related field. 
• Experience: Prior experience in a hospital or healthcare setting, with a strong preference for experience related to oncology, medical physics and radiation therapy. 
• Technical expertise: In-depth knowledge of biomedical technology, including diagnostic imaging and therapeutic equipment. 
• Analytical skills: Excellent problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities to diagnose and resolve complex equipment issues. 
• Communication: Strong interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate effectively with medical staff, vendors, and regulatory bodies. 
• Licensing: A Professional Licensed Engineer (P.E.) certification is often preferred.  
• Work experience: Minimum 4 – 6 years 
• Knowledge of Varian Machines will be an advantage. 

KEY COMPETENCE & BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS 

• Emotional Intelligence 
• Problem solving and Negotiation skills. 
• Ability to work with diverse teams. 
• Result oriented with proven zeal for delivery and execution.