Medical Physicist - Locums

Northwest Permanente; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 152,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Northwest Permanente is seeking a Diagnostic Medical Physicist to support our Radiology team in Portland, Oregon. The role focuses on comprehensive diagnostic imaging physics, radiation safety, and MR safety program leadership, collaborating with MR Medical Director and MR Safety Officer.

The position requires flexibility to cover shifts, perform equipment evaluations (Mammography–MRI), ensure regulatory compliance, and provide education on safety and dose optimization within a multi-site

Qualifications

• Demonstrated proficiency in physics evaluations across diagnostic imaging modalities (Mammography, CT, Nuclear Medicine, MRI, Fluoroscopy, X-ray).
• In-depth knowledge of MR safety guidelines and MRSE duties per ABMRS/ACR standards.

Responsibilities

• Perform independent physics evaluations for imaging modalities to support the primary physicist.
• Lead MR safety governance and manage the MRI safety program in collaboration with MR leadership.
• Interpret and enforce radiation safety regulations and best practices with the RSO.
• Direct protocol reviews to balance image quality with ALARA dose optimization.
• Educate radiology staff, residents, and physicians on radiation and MR safety.

Skills

Imaging physics

MR safety

Tools

Radiation detectors

Job description

Overview

Northwest Permanente is the largest multispecialty medical group in Oregon and Southwest Washington with over 1,500 clinicians caring for more than 600,000 Kaiser Permanente members. We invite applications for a Diagnostic Medical Physicist to join our Radiology team in Portland, Oregon.

Overview

Northwest Permanente is the largest multispecialty medical group in Oregon and Southwest Washington with over 1,500 clinicians caring for more than 600,000 Kaiser Permanente members. We invite applications for a Diagnostic Medical Physicist to join our Radiology team in Portland, Oregon. The Diagnostic Medical Physicist provides comprehensive diagnostic imaging physics and radiation safety support across all clinical imaging modalities. This role supports equipment performance evaluations as needed, quality assurance review, radiation dose optimization, and regulatory compliance. Additionally, the physicist serves as the facility’s designated Magnetic Resonance Safety Expert (MRSE), collaborating directly with the MR Medical Director (MRMD) and MR Safety Officer (MRSO) to manage the clinical MRI Safety Program. This position requires a flexible schedule to provide seamless coverage and fill in as needed for the primary physicist.

Key Responsibilities

• Equipment Performance: Perform independent physicist evaluations for Mammography, CT, Nuclear Medicine, MRI, Fluoroscopy (including CV/IR), and General Radiology equipment as needed to support the primary physicist.
• MR Safety Governance (MRSE): Act as the facility’s designated MRSE per ACR and ABMRS standards. Lead complex patient risk assessments, oversee scanner safety protocols, and maintain the clinical MRI Safety Program in partnership with the MRMD and MRSO.
• Radiation Safety & Compliance: Interpret, integrate, and enforce regulatory compliance and best practice standards in close consultation with the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO).
• Dose Optimization & Image Quality: Direct protocol reviews to balance diagnostic image quality with ALARA-compliant radiation dose optimization.
• Education & Clinical Training: Deliver radiation and MR safety instruction to radiologic technologists, allied health personnel, residents, and attending physicians.

Required Qualifications & Competencies

• Technical Expertise: Demonstrated proficiency in physics evaluations across all diagnostic imaging modalities (Mammography, CT, Nuclear Medicine, MRI, Fluoroscopy, X-ray) and proficiency with radiation detection/measurement tools.
• MRSE Readiness: In-depth knowledge of ACR guidelines and ABMRS standards to fulfill MRSE duties immediately upon hire.

What You Can Expect

• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule to cover operational needs and support the primary diagnostic physicist.
• Average approximately 8 hrs./week with the ability to work more or less, based on department needs.
• Must be located in WA/OR (Portland metro area preferred) and have the ability to commute to all sites in the region.
• No on call expectations but may work "off-hours" as needed.

They do need to be located in the WA/OR area, as they will need to travel to all sites in the region

Northwest Permanente pays competitive locum hourly wages, and treats our locums as an extension of our core team. This locum role is a W-2, temporary position with no end date.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Northwest Permanente is an equal opportunity employer committed to fair, respectful, and inclusive workplaces. Applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic or status.