Medical Illustrator

UCI Series Concepts -- UCI SIZE-NEUTRAL SUPPLEMENTAL GUIDELINES

Class Specifications - D.15
Principal Medical Illustrator (6121) SIZE-NEUTRAL
Senior Medical Illustrator (6122)
Medical Illustrator (6123)

August,1976

SERIES CONCEPT

Medical Illustrators perform or supervise the drawing or painting 
of plates and scratch boards for purposes of medical illustrations 
used in communications media such as publications, slides, film 
strips, exhibits or other visual instruction materials for classroom 
or lecture use; draw freehand or with instruments using common art 
media and techniques such as pencil, carbon dust, crayon, pen-and-ink, 
lettering, tempera, oils, wash or air brush; understand and apply the 
advantages and limitations of reproduction methods; and perform other 
related duties as required. Incumbents understand and use instruments 
and equipment such as but not limited to any of the following:  camera
lucida, slit lamp, ophthalmoscope, gonioscope, cytoscope, laryngoscope, 
and scanning or translucent electronic microscope. Incumbents typically 
prepare sketches and develop detailed and accurate illustrations on the 
basis of direct observation of surgery or autopsy; make detailed and 
accurate sketches from photographs, x-rays, and preserved specimens; 
and reduce complex ideas to simple explanatory diagrams or schematic
concepts.

The series consists of three levels which are distinguished by (1) the 
level of supervision received, (2) supervisory responsibility consistent 
with FLSA Executive Exemption, and (3) the degree of complexity involved 
in the illustrations. Medical Illustrator positions are distinguished 
from Illustrator and Artist positions by the application of general 
medical knowledge to the subjects being illustrated.

CLASS CONCEPTS

Principal Medical Illustrator

Under general direction, incumbents plan, direct and review the work of illustrators and other visual aid personnel; organize and develop visual aid services; and make original contributions to methods of medical illustration.

Examples of assignments allocated to this level of difficulty and 
responsibility are:

	Supervises affiliated personnel in the production of 
	illustrations AND provides solutions to the most 
	difficult problems involving complex medical concepts 
	and terminology.

	Oversees the purchase, use, repair and maintenance of 
	audio-visual and illustration equipment.

	Performs the most difficult illustrative work utilizing 
	a wide range of highly skilled illustrative techniques.

	Alerts members of the staff to innovative or more 
	economical illustrating techniques.

	Plans and coordinates exhibitions or other display 
	material at a medical center or public convention center.

	Advises on the design and artistic representation of 
	illustrations, 3-dimensional models, exhibits and films.

*INCUMBENT MUST SUPERVISE A MINIMUM OF 2 FTE AND MEET ALL OTHER 
CRITERIA FOR FLSA EXECUTIVE EXEMPTION.

Senior Medical Illustrator

Under direction incumbents perform a wide variety of medical 
illustrative work requiring a high degree of skill in the use 
of the instruments and media; may work from rough drawings but 
give form and substance to highly theoretical constructs; 
reduce complex ideas to simple diagrams or schematic concepts; 
and prepare illustrations of surgical techniques and sketches 
of anatomy for medical faculty.

Examples of assignments allocated to this level of difficulty 
and responsibility are:

	Prepares molds or casts of three-dimensional models 
	of fresh tissue from a patient using plaster, wax, 
	paper mache, plastic or other materials. 

	Observes and prepares rough sketches or surgical 
	procedures, showing parts of the body which are 
	designated to be of medical interest; selects the 
	final mode of presentation; and makes final detailed 
	illustrations of a surgical technique based on subject 
	matter knowledge.

	May instruct students in the use of the media and 
	instruments for illustration by demonstrating various 
	techniques.

The Senior level is distinguished from other lower levels by less 
need for review of the final product or intermittent stages of a 
drawing; by a closer working relationship with faculty members; 
by the variety of assignments and facility with which they are 
accomplished; and by a more advanced use of medical knowledge of 
the subjects being illustrated.

Medical Illustrator

Under general supervision incumbents prepare illustrations from 
sketches made in the operating room; establish the style, color 
treatment, format, and medium of illustrations; recognize scientific 
or medical terms in the layout of work; are assigned responsibility 
for the accuracy of illustrations; design and produce teaching 
displays; and prepare three-dimensional models using various media 
such as wax or latex.

Examples of assignments allocated to this level of difficulty 
and responsibility are:

	Under guidance of the appropriate medical staff, 
	prepares fundus illustration from observation 
	through the direct and indirect ophthalmoscope 
	and from views of the structure of the eye as 
	displayed through a slit lamp.

	Makes detailed sketches, diagrams, and charts 
	from photographs, x-rays, models, medical records 
	and preserved specimens, restoring original detail, 
	texture, color, and form not found or only partially 
	present in the original subject.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Principal Medical Illustrator

Graduation from college with courses in medical illustration and five 
years of progressively difficult illustration experience; or an equivalent 
combination of education and experience; and knowledges and abilities 
essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the 
position. 

Senior Medical Illustrator

Graduation from college with courses in medical illustration and 
three years of progressively difficult medical illustration experience; 
or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledges 
and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties 
assigned to the position.

Medical Illustrator

Graduation from college with courses in medical illustration and one 
year of illustration experience; or an equivalent combination of 
education and experience; and knowledges and abilities essential to 
the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.