Image Guidance Technician

Summary

The Image Guidance Technician plays a crucial role in supporting surgical procedures by operating advanced imaging and navigation equipment, ensuring the accuracy of image-guided procedures, and actively participating in the fabrication of bone replacements. This role requires a high level of technical expertise and attention to detail, as well as the ability to adapt to various surgical settings and respond to unexpected challenges. 

Examples of Work

Job functions are specific duties that would be included in the essential functions of the job description.  These functions are not all-inclusive nor do they cover the full extent of the duties performed. 

• Operates Surgical Navigation equipment in various surgical environments, assisting surgeons in procedures. 
• Identifies the appropriate image set in the medical records image archive and downloads the necessary image dataset. 
• Builds a 3D registration model and oversees the registration of the patient to this model. 
• Ensures the spatial fidelity of all processes for accurate surgical guidance. 
• Prepares equipment for surgery, ensuring that CT and MR scanners are sterilized and calibrated for each procedure and patient. 
• Operates Iso-C and/or O-Arm image guidance systems to acquire anatomic images for surgical planning and navigation. 
• Participates in various surgical procedures, including shunt placement, craniotomy, spine surgery (adult and pediatric), maxillofacial surgery, and ENT procedures. 
• Ensures proper maneuvering of imaging gantries into sterile environments. 
• Ensures appropriate infrared tracking of imaging equipment and the patient’s dynamic reference. 
• Maintains quality assurance for imaging and instrument tracking during surgical procedures.
• Uses patient-specific imaging and 3D printing technology to create 3D models for fabricating bone replacements for patients.
• Creates 3D skull molds, transports them for sterilization, and brings sterilized molds to the operating room. 
• Fabricates replacement bones using approved implantable materials (e.g., PMMA). 
• Identifies and addresses any imperfections in the fabrication process and develops alternative plans as needed. 

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area and one year of relevant experience in an operating room.

Licensure and Certification

N/A

Supervision

This position does not have supervisory responsibility. 

To see common career pathways for each position at the University of Florida please visit the Career Paths section of the UFHR website.