Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Job Summary

The Nuclear Medicine technologist assists with providing safe, age appropriate care to the patient by performing all exams provided by the department per department procedures. The technologist has the knowledge and ability to properly and safely obtain a quality diagnostic study. He/she is responsible for performing a wide variety of technical procedures requiring independent judgment, ingenuity and initiative in the utilization of the equipment for the diagnosis and/or treatment of diseases. The technologist can independently perform job functions. He/she sets up the equipment to provide imaging service and positions patient for the procedure.

Core Responsibilities

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.

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 radiopharmaceuticals 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 and right and left marker are utilized appropriately.
• Reviews 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 so that no patient condition deteriorates.
• Verifies correct identity of patient using 2 unique identifiers prior to performing a procedure per 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.
• 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 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

• Consistently produces acceptable images, as evidenced by radiologist feedback and quality audits.
• 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, prints CDs as needed.
• Studies that have been transmitted after hours to teleradiography are printed and scanned in PACS, if applicable.
• Completes all studies in RIS before completing in PACS.
• Prints completed log sheet from teleradiography and submits to Radiologist, if applicable.

Operations

• Restocks linens and supplies, and maintains NM 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 NM equipment within the department.
• Maintains Joint Commission standards and any other regulatory agency standards.
• Any other duties as assigned.
• Takes call when necessary.

Schedule & Incentives

• This role is sign on bonus eligible.
• This role can offer a competitive relocation assistance package for eligible candidates.
• A full-time position with a Monday-Friday rotating day shifts between 7am-6pm - call required.