MRI Technologist

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 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.

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 of 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 MRI suite in a safe environment, i.e. locked down at all times.

Operations

• Restocks linens and supplies, and maintains MRI 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 supportive and immobilization devices and equipment.
• Willingly lends knowledge and assistance to others upon request as needed and routinely as time is available, without prompting, so that all working time is used for departmental advantage.
• Performs routine duties of clerical and support personnel in accordance with procedure when warranted to ensure continuity and quality of services.
• Keeps supervisor informed on all responsibilities on an ongoing basis, ensuring prompt notification in the event of problems or potential problems.
• Maintains an individual productivity rate equal to other co-workers.
• Ability to operate all work stations associated with the MRI scanner.
• Ability to push / retrieve studies to the PACS system.
• Maintains Joint Commission standards and any other regulatory agency standards.
• Any other duties as assigned.
• Takes call when necessary.