Quality Control Technologist - Diagnostic Imaging

The Quality Control (QC) Technologist is responsible for coordinating, performing, and documenting the quality control, quality assurance (QA), and regulatory compliance activities across all modalities within the Diagnostic Imaging department (Radiography, Fluoroscopy, CT, MRI, Ultrasound, Mammography, Nuclear Medicine, Interventional, and Bone Densitometry, as applicable). This position ensures that all imaging equipment operates within manufacturer, state, federal, and accrediting body specifications (ACR, TJC, MQSA, FDA, NRC, state radiation control programs), and that imaging quality consistently supports accurate diagnosis, patient safety, and optimal radiation dose management.

The QC Technologist serves as a technical resource to staff technologists, radiologists, medical physicists, biomedical engineering, and leadership, and functions as a key liaison during regulatory inspections, accreditation surveys, and equipment service events.

Key Responsibilities

Equipment Quality Control Testing

• Perform daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual QC testing on all imaging equipment per manufacturer specifications, ACR accreditation requirements, MQSA regulations, and state/federal guidelines.
• Conduct modality-specific QC including but not limited to:
  • CT: Water phantom testing, CT number accuracy, noise, uniformity, artifact evaluation, slice thickness, and dose index verification.
  • MRI: ACR phantom testing, signal-to-noise ratio, geometric accuracy, image uniformity, and coil performance.
  • Mammography: Daily phantom imaging, weekly QC per MQSA and ACR standards, artifact review, and technologist QC tracking.
  • Ultrasound: Transducer testing, uniformity, and preventive inspection.
  • Nuclear Medicine: Dose calibrator, survey meter, uniformity, and center-of-rotation testing.
  • Radiography/Fluoroscopy: kVp accuracy, mAs linearity, half-value layer, AEC performance, and image receptor testing.
• Trend QC results, identify variances outside tolerance, and initiate corrective action promptly.

Regulatory Compliance & Accreditation

• Maintain readiness for and support surveys from The Joint Commission (TJC), ACR, MQSA/FDA, state radiation control agencies, NRC, and CMS.
• Coordinate ACR accreditation submissions, renewals, and mid-cycle validations for all applicable modalities.
• Maintain current, organized documentation of QC logs, physicist reports, equipment service records, and radiation safety records for a minimum of the retention period required by regulation (typically 3–7 years).
• Assist the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) with dosimetry monitoring, ALARA program support, and radiation safety committee reporting.

Image Quality & Dose Management

• Monitor image quality across modalities; participate in reject/repeat analysis and root-cause review of imaging errors.
• Support CT dose optimization initiatives, including protocol reviews, dose index monitoring, and NEXT/ACR Dose Index Registry participation.
• Collaborate with radiologists, lead technologists, and applications specialists on protocol standardization and optimization.

Documentation & Reporting

• Prepare monthly QC summary reports for the Director of Imaging, Medical Physicist, and Radiology Medical Director.
• Document all corrective actions, service events, and downtime; maintain equipment logbooks.
• Report equipment malfunctions, safety concerns, and out-of-tolerance findings through appropriate channels immediately.

Education & Staff Support

• Serve as a subject-matter resource on QC procedures, image quality, artifact recognition, and safe operation of imaging equipment.
• Provide in-service education to technologists on QC procedures, new equipment, protocol changes, and regulatory updates.
• Assist in onboarding and competency validation for new technologists and students.

Coordination with Physics & Biomedical Engineering

• Schedule and coordinate annual medical physicist surveys and follow up on physicist recommendations.
• Coordinate with biomedical engineering and vendor service representatives for preventive maintenance (PM), calibrations, and repairs.
• Track equipment downtime and communicate service status to department leadership.

Performance Improvement

• Participate in departmental QAPI (Quality Assurance/Performance Improvement) activities, patient safety initiatives, and peer-review processes.
• Contribute to policy and procedure development, revision, and annual review.
• Assist leadership with data collection for productivity, quality, and safety metrics.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Graduate of an accredited program in Radiologic Technology or related imaging discipline.
• Associate's degree required; Bachelor's degree in Radiologic Sciences, Health Administration, or related field preferred.

Licensure & Certification

• Current ARRT registration (R) required; advanced certification in one or more modalities (CT, MR, M, N, VI, BD, QM) strongly preferred.
• ARRT (QM) – Quality Management certification preferred or required to be obtained within 24 months of hire.
• State radiologic technologist license as required by state of practice (Georgia licensure required for this position).
• BLS certification required.

Experience

• Minimum of 3–5 years of clinical imaging experience across multiple modalities.
• Prior experience performing modality QC, participating in ACR accreditation, or supporting regulatory surveys strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with PACS, RIS, dose-monitoring software (e.g., Radimetrics, DoseWatch), and Microsoft Office required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Working knowledge of ACR, MQSA, TJC, FDA, NRC, and state regulatory standards for diagnostic imaging.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and documentation skills.
• Ability to identify image quality issues, artifacts, and equipment performance drift.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills; able to interact with radiologists, physicists, vendors, and hospital leadership.
• Self-directed with ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to lift, push, and pull up to 50 lbs; assist with patient positioning as needed.
• Prolonged standing, walking, and reaching; occasional stooping and kneeling.
• Exposure to ionizing radiation, magnetic fields, infectious materials, and hazardous chemicals — mitigated through PPE, dosimetry, and safety protocols.
• Work performed primarily on-site in the hospital imaging environment.