Manager Medical Physics

Benefits

• $10,000 Tuition Reimbursement per year ($5,700 part-time)
• $10,000 Student Loan Repayment ($5,000 part-time)
• $1,000 Professional Development per year ($500 part-time)
• $250 Wellbeing Fund per year($125 for part-time)
• Matching 401(k)
• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage
• Life insurance
• Annual Employee Salary Increase and Incentive Bonus
• Paid time off and Holiday pay

The salary range for this position is $110.14 - $148.68 (Hourly Rate).

Placement within the salary range is dependent on several factors such as relevant work experience and internal equity. For positions represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range is guided by the rules outlined in the collective bargaining agreement.

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Northwestern Medicine is powered by a community of colleagues who are purpose-driven and committed to our mission to deliver world-class care. Here, you'll work alongside some of the best clinical talent in the nation leading the way in medical innovation and breakthrough research with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

We recognize where you've been, and we support where you're headed. We celebrate diverse perspectives and experiences, which fuel our commitment to equity and culture of service.

Grow your career with comprehensive training and development opportunities, mentorship programs, educational support and student loan repayment.

• Create the life you envision for yourself with flexible work options, a Reimbursable Well-Being Fund and a Total Rewards package that support your physical, mental, emotional and financial well-being.
• Make a difference through volunteer opportunities we offer in local communities and drive inclusive change through our workforce-led resource groups.

From discovery to delivery, come help us shape the future of medicine.

Description

The Manager Medical Physics reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

The Manager of Medical Physics position is a combination of administrative leadership over the center medical physics and dosimetry staff, and clinical oversight of and participation in clinical activities. The Manager will be responsible for evaluating, scheduling, coaching, and developing medical physics staff and dosimetry leadership of the photon center's physicists. The Manager ensures that systems (administrative and technical), schedules, policies and procedures are in place to ensure the efficient and timely development of quality treatment plans, and completion of other clinical activities (e.g. equipment calibration, QA, documentation, calibration and testing, radiation safety etc). The Manager is ultimately responsible to assure all medical physicists adhere to all policies and procedures related to treatment planning, quality assurance, process flow, and ensure that staff is fully licensed, educated, trained and evaluated to the State of Illinois standards.

Responsibilities:

• Leads by example; models I-CARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence) in daily work and interactions.
• Helps all employees make the connection between Cadence Health values, their daily work and patient and customer satisfaction. Holds staff accountable for modeling service standards and behaviors.
• Sets clear expectations for continuous quality and service improvement. Uses internal and external benchmark data and best practices to establish specific targets, timelines and metrics for improvement projects.
• Encourages those who identify problems, potential solutions and opportunities for improvement. Supports and empowers staff in piloting new ideas and solutions.
• Creates an environment of partnership, collaboration, seamless quality and service enhancement across teams, departments and divisions of the organization.
• Stays informed of current and emerging issues and trends for areas of accountability, Cadence Health organization and healthcare industry. Communicates and educates staff on requirements, changes, advances, opportunities, directions and projections for the future.
• Thinks and acts in ways that support Cadence Health strategy, vision and plans. Identifies opportunities for new business growth and development, expansion of current services, etc.
• Practices fiscal accountability. Encourages staff and team accountability by involving them in budget preparation, identifying ideas for increasing efficiency, cost savings, developing and growing the business and existing services.
• Measures and monitors budget and business development plans; provides ongoing updates to staff.
• Achieves or exceeds budget and business growth and profitability targets.
• Makes effective hiring decisions; completes the 90-day inSync orientation process for new employees.
• Makes effective hiring decisions; completes the 90-day inSync orientation process for new employees.
• Supports ongoing learning and skill development for self and staff; provides coaching and mentoring; assigns stretch goals, cross-training and other opportunities for career development within Cadence Health.
• Supports ongoing learning and skill development for self and staff; provides coaching and mentoring; assigns stretch goals, cross-training and other opportunities for career development within Cadence Health.
• Facilitates change readiness and agility among staff and teams.
• Uses timely, effective communication methods to update staff on departmental and organizational priorities and progress.
• Creates a culture of respectful communication by listening, demonstrating approachability, practicing meeting, voicemail and e-mail courtesy.
• Asks for staff input; encourages diverse perspectives and solutions, drawing from staff, peers, physicians, patients and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrates ability to communicate effectively across departments and sectors of organization; within all levels of management; with patients, visitors, other customers, etc.
• Acknowledges and celebrates individual and team contributions.
• Manages and participates in the commissioning and acceptance testing of all therapy equipment, according to industry standards, all federal state and local regulations governing said commissioning.
• Works to maintain compliance with all applicable AAPM guides and Task Group recommendations.
• Manages and monitors the processes, schedules and staff performing daily calibrations for all therapy equipment and radioactive sources.
• Assists in the development of, and ensures staff adherence to all medical physics and dosimetry QA procedures and policies.
• Establishes, implements and monitor work flow for physics team to follow to insure quality, efficient and effective production of treatment plans, and work with proton center leadership and staff to ensure fit with entire workflow.
• Commands a current knowledge of proper physics coding and documentation and ensures all physics staff are continuously trained and monitored on charge capture performance.
• Works with the billing manager to improve processes and produce documentation required during account / appeal processes.
• Manages and participates in the measurement and analysis of data used for treatment planning computer software and tests new versions of software prior to center use.
• Directs staff to assure accuracy/appropriateness of computerized patient treatment plans performed by dosimetry staff and works in consultation with the physicians to achieve optimal care.
• Directs staff and /or assists dosimetry staff with patient-specific radiation measurements and calculations and assists in the development / selection and specifications of any complex devices required to direct/protect critical structures.
• Directs weekly patient chart checks and ensures completion to Cadence standards, to verify accuracy.
• Performs regulatory correspondence and insures compliance with all local, state and federal agencies promulgating regulations affecting radiation devices and sources and radiological physics services; staff licensces, radiation safety training, etc.
• Assists the photon cneter's Radiation Safety Officer to perform all functions and reporting (annual, adverse incidents, etc) required by local state and federal agencies.
• Ensures compliance with all radiation safety regulations.
• Serves as the physics representative to the Center's Quality Assurance Committee.
• Performs training of new physics staff, and conducts at-center training of as requested.
• Participates in system, equipment, software, etc. development activities at the center.
• Leads in the planning, development and implementation of the new GammaKnife system.
• Oversees operations of two photon centers.

Qualifications

Required:

• A minimum of 5 years experience in a radiation oncology physics department
• Masters Degree in Medical Physics
• Proven organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work as a member of a team to achieve a variety of objectives.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to lead by example and in reaction.
• Computer skills including MS
• Excel, Outlook, Access, Power Point, PeopleSoft, CMS, IMPAC a plus.
• ABR / ABMP Board certified with a current knowledge of Regulatory and Review Agencies.
• Current registration with IEMA as a Therapeutic Radiological Physicist (registered Diagnostic Imaging Specialist in addition preferred).

Preferred:

• 5 years management experience in a radiation oncology physics department.
• Proven ability to lead in an evolving and dynamic work environment and exercise various management techniques to respond effectively to individual staff members, medical staff and situations.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively interact with all levels of the organization, as well as partner hospitals and physician groups.
• Excellent overall understanding of all activities in effect in a modern radiation oncology department, (e.g. treatment planning, quality assurance, billing, customer service, medical staff role(s), nursing).
• Demonstrable success in training and coaching.
• Flexibility to handle multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Familiarity with Lean principles of process re-engineering.
• Extensive knowledge of modern radiation therapy systems and sub-systems.
• Extensive knowledge of simulation, imaging and treatment procedures and equipment, radiation safety, regulatory and licensing issues.
• Experience and fluency in modern treatment planning software systems.
• IMPAC and CMS treatment planning system a plus.
• Is proficient using radiation measuring equipment, treatment planning computers, and Record and Verify systems.

Equal Opportunity

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

If we offer you a job, we will perform a background check that includes a review of any criminal convictions. A conviction does not disqualify you from employment at Northwestern Medicine. We consider this on a case-by-case basis and follow all state and federal guidelines.