Clinical Imaging Technician, Pathology at Massachusetts General Hospital(MGH) in Boston, Massachusetts

Job Description:

Clinical Imaging Technician




Pathology Enterprise



Reporting to the Supervisor, Asset Management Service, working in conjunction with Digital Imaging (DI) Pathology Faculty, this position supports the ongoing operation, development and implementation of whole slide digital pathology systems used in the Pathology Department for clinical, research, and education purposes.


Pathology imaging, and in particular whole slide digital pathology, is an evolving field with the potential to significantly change the way anatomic pathology is practiced. The transformation of the Pathology Department to the broader use of whole slide digital imaging is ongoing and will require dedicated personnel to develop and run the systems necessary to support, implement, and advance this process. These systems will include whole slide imaging instruments, laboratory information systems, image acquisition managers, image management systems, image conversion tools, image viewers, and workstations to access the system components. Successful implementation of a digital pathology solution will involve coordination of these devices and components with Pathology Informatics, Computational Pathology, and Enterprise Information Technology/Networking personnel. Extensive effort into developing, testing, and troubleshooting these systems will be required in this position since the technology will evolve and system upgrades are expected on a regular basis.


The individual will be expected to operate with minimal levels of daily supervision and with a high level of personal responsibility and independent judgment. Because digital pathology operations will encompass a wide variety of use cases including those that are clinical, research, development, and education, the individual must be able to multi-task and work at a high level of detail, precision, to specification, with excellent record-keeping abilities to manage multiple projects. Because the technology will eventually be used for clinical specimens, development of quality control/assurance programs and compliance with newly emerging clinical FDA/JC/CAP regulatory and HIPPA requirements will also be necessary. Because these systems may be new to most users, a significant component of the position will involve the training of users at all levels.


1. Daily scheduling, operation, maintenance, quality control and assurance, documentation and recording usage logs of the department's digital imaging systems emphasizing digital slide imaging systems.


2. Develop and maintain databases of digital images and associated data.


3. Assist MGH Pathology and Partners Healthcare information and network technology personnel with hardware and network interfaces related to digital pathology.


4. Under direction of the supervisor and working with histology and cytology personnel and with pathologists, develop and implement standard operating procedures consistent with laboratory standards to facilitate incorporating digital imaging into the department's research, teaching and clinical workflows.


5. Under direction of the DI faculty, coordinate and maintain equipment and train personnel at affiliated sites related to digital imaging in pathology.


6. Under direction of the DI faculty, troubleshoot service complaints from digital imaging users and formulate and implement appropriate responses.


7. Understand how each imaging device works and participate in developing and implementing training programs in digital pathology for personnel at all professional and technical levels.


8. Participate with faculty and house staff to implement digital imaging and pathology in research, teaching and clinical projects.


9. Make appropriate images available for departmental projects including research projects, teaching conferences and image sets, CME conferences, diagnostic simulations and proficiency testing for technicians and physicians.


10. Collect and manage quality control and quality assurance data related to departmental imaging devices and to research and clinical applications.


11. Assist in implementing laboratory compliance with regulatory standards.


12. Participate in digital pathology integration with LIS validations and upgrades.


13. All other duties and responsibilities as directed.



Qualifications

Associate Degree required; a bachelor's degree is preferred.


The ideal candidate will have 1-2 years of pathology-based laboratory experience.


Experience and demonstrated skill in digital imaging and systems for image acquisition (e.g. digital cameras, whole slide image scanners) is preferred.


A working knowledge of histology and cytology specimen and consultation workflow is highly preferred. Willingness to learn and use computer/information technology systems to operate and troubleshoot digital equipment and files.


Prior experience with implementation/validation of clinical laboratory information systems is preferred.


The individual must also have strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the willingness and ability to learn and adapt as the pathology digital imaging field continues to evolve.


1. The ability to operate and maintain complex digital image acquisition equipment


2. The ability to manage/organize images and associated data in storage systems


3. The ability to assess image details (color, focus, orientation, contrast, brightness) for quality control purposes


4. The ability to help develop, test, and use relatively complex web sites and client applications


5. The ability to collect, organize and present data (for QA/QC and R&D purposes)


6. Willing to work with human tissues and clinical specimens


7. The ability to work closely and well with IT staff, pathologists, and pathology trainees


8. The ability to work with a minimal level of daily supervision


9. The ability to participate in performance improvement, work redesign, and divisional development projects


10. The ability to be a subject matter expert for training and long-term development of digital pathology and laboratory information systems



EEO Statement

Massachusetts General Hospital is an Affirmative Action Employer. By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.