Lead MRI Technologist

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions

Patient Care

• Verifies proper clinician order for procedure.
• Obtains complete clinical history, gathers examination data and assesses for contraindicating conditions.
• Follows established procedures for the administration of contrast medias.
• Ensures that all studies have proper patient identification and right and left marker are utilized appropriately.
• Reviews MRI images for clinically acceptable results and releases patients.
• Responds to emergency situations and provides for the restocking of the crash cart and maintenance of life support equipment.
• Assists other technologists in all modalities when needed.
• Observes patient condition and properly evaluates situations when physician intervention is necessary.
• Verifies correct identity of patient using 2 unique identifiers prior to performing a procedure.
• Ensures patient's privacy and comfort is accommodated.
• 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.
• Demonstrates proficiency with loading and operating power injection.
• Uses critical thinking skills.
• Dialogs with patient/family.
• Asks clarifying questions.
• Seeks clarification on ambiguous orders.
• Understands, demonstrates and documents preprocedural 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.
• Maintains competency with venipuncture.

Education and Communication

• Patiently and clearly explains purpose and nature of exam to patient prior to starting of procedure.
• Ensures that patient's questions, concerns or contraindications are satisfactorily addressed.
• Participates in the orientation and training of departmental employees.
• Provides patients with preparatory instruction and explanation of procedures.
• 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.

Leadership

• Maintains modality workflow to assure patient throughput that maximizes equipment utilization.
• Provides feedback on employee performance management by communicating employee performance concerns to Chief Tech.
• Manage department productivity adhering to operational standards.
• Works with Chief Tech and system MRI Clinical Specialist on new protocol implementation.
• Assures that adequate supplies are available in the modality.
• Attends and productively participates in Lead Meetings and department meetings.
• Serves as an advocate for the Imaging Department and is a liaison for other hospital departments.
• Serves as first level of contact for employee concerns.
• Participates, maintains and conducts PI (Process Improvement) in the department.
• Assists in the hiring process of new personnel, and ensures appropriate on-boarding efforts.
• Participates in the competency process for MRI technologists on an annual basis.
• Assures that the MRI department is continuously survey ready.

Quality Control

• Consistently produces acceptable images, as evidenced by radiologist feedback and quality audits.
• Ensures that equipment is fully operational prior to each use.
• Sends all studies to PACS immediately after completion, prints CDs as needed.
• Studies that have been reported after hours by teleradiography are printed and scanned into PACS, if applicable.
• Completes all studies in RIS before completing in PACS.
• Prints completed log sheet from teleradiography and submits to Radiologist, if applicable.

Equipment

• Demonstrates the ability to adjust technique so that patient receives the lowest possible dose of ionizing radiation.
• Reports problems regarding malfunctioning equipment to supervisor or service provider.
• Cleans, disinfects and maintains equipment in accordance with infection control policy.

Operations

• Restocks linens and supplies and maintains the department in clean and orderly condition.
• Transports patients, positions patients, and helps them on and off procedure table.
• Performs patient charging activities on the day the service is rendered.
• Applies shielding, supportive and immobilization devices and equipment.
• Willingly lends knowledge and assistance to others upon request.
• Performs routine duties of clerical and support personnel in accordance with procedure.
• Keeps supervisor informed on all responsibilities on an ongoing basis.
• Maintains an individual productivity rate equal to other co-workers.
• Ability to push / retrieve images from the MRI console to PACS.
• Maintain Joint Commission standards and any other regulatory agency standards.
• Ability to teach and mentor fellow MRI Techs.
• Takes call when necessary.
• Any other duties as assigned.

Required Minimum Education

Accredited Program Radiologic Science

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s)

• ARRT-R - ARRT Radiography
• ARRT-MR - ARRT Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• BLS - Basic Life Support or ARC-BLS - Amer Red Cross Basic Life Support or BLS-I - Basic Life Support - Instructor

Required Minimum Experience

Minimum 3 years experience in MRI Required

Required Minimum Skills

• Must exhibit excellent communication skills.
• Must possess the ability to function independently and under pressure while still actively participating in a team environment.
• Must be able to perform effectively in a stressful and fast paced work environment.
• Must have the ability to prioritize appropriately.
• Must be detail oriented and have the capacity to effectively multitask throughout the work shift.
• Must have excellent communication skills and the capacity to interact professionally with a variety of customers.
• Must possess the ability to function independently, yet productively as a cooperative team member.
• Must be compliant, with a willingness to follow all Hospital policies.
• Competent in all aspects of MRI, patient positioning, exposure factors.
• Must have an understanding of anatomy and pathology as to how they affect the quality of a procedure.
• Competent to perform all ACR and manufacturer recommended Quality Control tests.
• Competent to perform and post-process advanced protocols such as: Cardiac MRI, Gated Chest, etc.
• Ability to teach and mentor fellow MRI Techs.