CT Technologist

Job Summary

Must be flexible with work hours to meet department needs. Must be dependable, accountable and cooperative. Assists with providing safe, age appropriate care to the patient by performing all exams provided by the department according to department procedures. Has the knowledge and ability to properly and safely obtain a quality diagnostic study. Responsible for performing a wide variety of technical procedures requiring independent judgment, ingenuity and initiative in the utilization of equipment for the diagnosis and/or treatment of diseases. Able to independently perform job functions. Sets up the equipment to provide imaging service and positions patient for the procedure.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions

Patient Care

• Obtains complete clinical history, gathers examination data and assesses for contraindicating conditions.
• Follows established procedures for the administration of contrast medias so that no patient condition deteriorates, and no patient suffers undue pain, due to error or poor technique.
• Ensures that all studies have proper patient identification.
• Reviews images for clinically acceptable results and releases patients.
• Responds to emergency situations.
• Assists other technologists in all modalities when needed.
• Observes patient condition and properly evaluates situations when physician intervention is necessary so that no patient condition deteriorates.
• Verifies correct identity of patient prior to performing a procedure according to hospital policy and procedure.
• Ensures patient's privacy and comfort is accommodated.
• Maintains patients dignity throughout the exam/procedure.
• Demonstrates competence in the determination and application of appropriate procedures, equipment, supplies and techniques based on the age of patients.
• Organizes schedule, time and priorities so that required activities are accomplished within designated time frames.
• Follows physicians instructions when assisting with procedures and exams.
• Understands, demonstrates and documents pre-procedure verification and Time Out process when appropriate.
• Demonstrates and understands pre-and-post procedural care.
• Preps the patient for the procedure.
• Demonstrates and understands sterile technique.
• Prepares trays and catheters for procedures, participates in biopsies if applicable.
• Demonstrates proficiency on the Dynacad if applicable.
• Prepares and may administer contrast.
• Verifies order is with contrast, checks patient GFR (labs) and dosing of contrast is weight based.
• Uses appropriate safety devices to protect patients hearing during exam.
• Understands anatomical positioning, correct labeling of body parts, and infant immobilizer.
• Knows cross sectional anatomy, includes all appropriate anatomy.
• Uses critical thinking skills.
• Seeks clarification on ambiguous orders.
• Utilizes Dose Reduction Techniques.

Equipment

• Demonstrates the ability to adjust technique so that patient receives the best study possible and that image quality is maintained.
• Reports problems regarding malfunctioning equipment to supervisor or service provider, so that problem can be corrected in a timely manner.
• Cleans, disinfects and maintains equipment in accordance with infection control policy and department cleaning schedule.
• Ability to operate patient monitoring system.

Education and Communications

• Patiently and clearly explains purpose and nature of exam to patient prior to starting procedure, to minimize anxiety and facilitate cooperation using AIDET; Acknowledge, Introduce, Discuss, Explain, and Thank you of all patients and family members.
• Ensures that patient's questions, concerns or contraindications are satisfactorily addressed, notifying physician when this cannot be accomplished, prior to the initiation of the procedure.
• Participates in the orientation and training of departmental employees.
• Required documentation is concise, legible and includes precise terminology.
• Reads email each day scheduled to work and follows through with assignment.
• Completes mandatory departmental and Hospital-wide education without prompting.

Quality Control

• Produces acceptable images, follows established exam protocols.
• Ensures that equipment is fully operational prior to each use, by checking for proper calibration and operating deficiencies.
• Sends all studies to PACS immediately after completion in RIS and prints CDs as needed.
• Studies that have been transmitted after hours to teleradiography are printed and scanned in PACS, if applicable.
• Maintains CT suite in a safe environment, i.e. locked down at all times.

Core Responsibilities

• Perform CT procedures according to department guidelines, use your technical knowledge to capture quality diagnostic images.
• Work independently operating imaging/radiographic equipment safely and adjusting techniques to maintain diagnostic quality at the lowest reasonable dose (ALARA).
• Clean, disinfect, and maintain rooms/equipment per infection control schedules; identify and report equipment issues promptly.
• Obtain clinical history and screen for contraindications; verify orders and two unique patient identifiers before any exam.
• Explain procedures, prep, and post-care clearly using AIDET; address questions and reduce patient anxiety.
• Ensure patient comfort, privacy, and safety; provide age-appropriate care throughout the visit.
• Perform exams and administer contrast per protocol, using venipuncture and sterile technique when applicable.
• Position patients correctly and apply markers, shielding, and immobilization as indicated.
• Review images for diagnostic acceptability; repeat/correct as needed and release patients appropriately.
• Complete accurate, timely documentation and ensure studies are correctly finalized in RIS/PACS (including transfers/retrieval, CDs, and prior exam retrieval as needed).
• Monitor patient condition, respond to emergencies, and help maintain/restock crash cart and life-support equipment as required.
• Organize daily workflows to meet expected timeframes; collaborate with technologists/modalities to support department flow.
• Support operations and compliance, keep areas orderly and stocked, transport patients safely, complete charging/clerical tasks, follow regulatory requirements, and escalate issues to the supervisor.