MRI Researcher (52213

MRI Researcher

Position Objective:
Provide services as a MRI Researcher in support of the overall functions of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Provide support services to satisfy the overall operational objectives of the National Institute on Aging. The primary objective is to provide services and deliverables through performance of support services.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Schedule maintenance and upgrade visits with MRI instrument vendors.
• Work with MRI instrument clinical scientists, RF coil developers and other vendors to test and troubleshoot new hardware and software for the MRI scanner.
• Serve as the point of contact for the MRI Facility Manager for issues relating to procurement, property management, upgrades, major maintenance, IT support and other goods and services needed to maintain the operation of the facility.
• Serve as the point of contact to create documentation for safety issues, including overseeing safety screening, collection of screening forms and reporting any incidents to the Clinical Unit Director and MRI Facility Manager.
• Implement imaging strategies that reduce scan time. Perform pre-scan preparations.
• Collect both functional and structural magnetic resonance images for recruited subjects.
• Operate the NIA MRI Scanner doing structural and functional imaging and MR spectroscopy studies, which are part of NIA clinical research studies.
• Ensure that all research participants, patients and visitors to the NIA MRI Facility are free of metal objects and other exclusion criteria (outlined in the NIA MRI safety checklist) before entering the magnet room; adhere to safety precautions and procedures that apply to the NIA MRI Facility.
• Transfer, position and instruct research participants and/or patients regarding the procedure to obtain the desired radiographic results as specified by the research study and its responsible investigators.
• Ensure the participant's or patient's safety and comfort throughout scanning using the patient monitoring system effectively.
• Evacuate participants, patients, staff and visitors in case of emergency; alert the appropriate hospital and NIA emergency response teams in case of emergency.
• Set up all MR-specific equipment, coils and display equipment for functional imaging.
• Operate the MRI console during scanning; select proper imaging sequences; operate peripheral hardware for effective image and data acquisition.
• Work with staff on scheduling NIA research participants for MRI scans to achieve a smooth flow and optimal utilization of the Facility.
• Maintain stock of all required supplies and materials; place orders for supplies and materials through appropriate channels.
• Ensure prompt and proper disposal of supplies and materials (including hazardous and infectious waste) per prescribed safety precautions and regulations.
• Work with staff on verifying invoices for services received by outside vendors. Coordinate MRI study participant schedule on a day to day and weekly basis. Serve as an emergency contact to provide consultation for any MRI facility issues.
• Work with investigators to reanalyze existing neuroimaging data. Maintain and update laboratory notebooks and databases.
• Collaborate with NIA clinical and basic research scientists investigating age-related changes in cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, neuro-cognitive and other body systems.
• Identify equipment malfunctions and notify appropriate personnel in case of malfunctions; schedule and/or perform routine equipment maintenance functions.
• Work in conjunction with other clinical staff, research scientists and administrative staff in maintaining the smooth function of the facility.
• Standardize and maintain quality control of numerous procedures.
• Log all scans performed in the appropriate log book; enter participant/patient data at start of scanning and monitor data acquisition during scanning.
• Maintain monthly statistical data for MRI scans.
• Generate reports for the status of data collection and analyses, and manuscript preparation. Contribute to research papers; draft selected sections; edit and format manuscripts reference software. Prepare tables and figures…