Radiologic Technologist

Job Summary

As a CT Technologist at Northern Light Health, you will play a critical role in delivering high-quality patient care by coordinating the patient flow to obtain requested imaging studies in a fast-paced environment. This involves order verification, Quality Assurance of the imaging equipment, proper patient identification, and obtaining appropriate imaging following approved policies and protocols. You will also be responsible for proper patient preparation and education, which may begin prior to the patient's arrival. The technologist may be involved in part of a procedural team and will treat patients of all age groups, including infancy, pediatrics, adults, and geriatrics. You must be knowledgeable of age-specific protocols and flexible to cover a variety of shifts with weekend, holiday, and non-restricted call duties required as needed.

Responsibilities

- Demonstrates initiative by seeking assignments when the assigned area is not busy. Performs other work of the department as needed.
- Demonstrates continuous cooperativeness with the supervisor's instructions and co-workers. Voluntarily assists co-workers. Promotes positive morale. Cooperates with all personnel in the proper conduct of the department.
- Wears radiation monitoring devices in accordance with State regulations and Northern Light Health's ALARA program.
- Strives to improve interdepartmental and intradepartmental communications to promote total quality care of the patient. Evaluates current processes and recommends changes to supervisor and/or Director that will improve operations.
- Maintains a calm and knowledgeable demeanor; keeps composure under stressful situations.
- Conforms to accepted professional standards of attitude and behavior. Communicates a professional image through non-verbal behavior, cleanliness, and proper department attire. Collaborates effectively with all physicians, hospital personnel, department staff, and customers.
- Remains flexible and willingly accepts changes in assignments, scheduled working hours, etc.
- Assists in the orientation and training of students and new employees.
- Makes timely and appropriate decisions and acts through empowerment to handle situations to resolution and/or refers to appropriate person when necessary.
- Channels suggestions, criticisms, and questions to appropriate person in a constructive manner.
- Minimizes patient delays and is flexible when calling for inpatients to ensure the exam room is ready upon the patient's arrival.
- Makes a deliberate effort to meet the clinical requests of all providers.
- Communicates effectively, giving attention to the physical comfort, privacy, and sensitivity to patient's needs utilizing service recovery as appropriate.
- Uses proper grammar and terminology. Establishes a rapport with the patients using language appropriate to the age of the listener.
- Provides a clean and orderly work area. Arranges for equipment maintenance when needed. Ensures availability of emergency supplies in each exam room. Restocks supplies as needed.
- Reports and files all patient incidents and HIPAA compliance reports immediately within the online system.
- Coordinates patient care activities with other sections of the department and other patient care areas. Provides patient preps when needed. Assists with patient transport when necessary. Notifies the appropriate personnel to release/return the patient upon completion of their exam.
- Takes ownership for determining customer needs and offering ways to help. Interacts effectively with patients and families to promote customer satisfaction. Practices service recovery. Anticipates and alleviates situations which could result in patient/customer complaints. Provides a copy of the CRG letter as required. Encourages patient feedback.
- Demonstrates proper response and reliability for 'on call' coverage.
- Works within the guidelines of the ALARA program to protect patients and personnel from radiation hazards.
- Maintains documentation as required by State and Federal regulations and other agencies as needed. Is familiar with OSHA and Joint Commission safety guidelines and assists with inspections.
- Verifies patient identification by two methods and documents patient verified on tech completion in electronic medical record.
- Ensures that a Licensed Practitioner has ordered the exam via electronic, written order, or verbal confirmation. Ensures that the clinical indication is pertinent to the exam requested and seeks clarification of unclear orders from physician or supervisor.
- Matches written order with exam requisition, modifying information to ensure accuracy.
- Verifies the LMP information, and seeks radiologist's assistance when response is not within department guidelines.
- Prepares, labels, administers, stores, transports between locations within the hospital, and disposes of imaging contrast in accordance with License requirements and institutional policies.
- Completes documentation of the Imaging and Contrast Allergy assessment Form. Is familiar with adverse reactions to contrast media. Ensures availability and responds appropriately to preparation of emergency drugs and equipment.
- Follows sterile, aseptic IV puncture technique. Obtains pressure injector certification.
- Selects and operates appropriate equipment for the procedure requested. Selects and modifies technical factors to acquire optimal results on each procedure. Knows appropriate start-up and QC procedures and performs procedures according to department Quality Program guidelines.
- Produces quality images with few repeats on patients of all age groups, is knowledgeable about the guidelines for care, and age-related equipment.
- Evaluates finished images for quality, adherence to department protocols, artifacts, etc. Marks images with appropriate anatomical marker, patient information, and technologist initials.
- Operates within the framework of existing department policies and procedures. Following department protocols, performs imaging and interventional procedures within established time frames. Determines that consent forms have been obtained when indicated.
- Applies techniques of good body mechanics while performing job tasks.
- Informs the supervisor concerning equipment malfunctions and other problems.
- Obtains urgent readings as necessary ensuring results are communicated to the ordering clinician.
- Follows organization's infection control policies and guidelines for Universal Precautions.
- Demonstrates thorough knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy and physiology, and can adapt for atypical patients.
- Assists radiologists and other practitioners during invasive procedures, practices sterile technique, and prevents cross contamination.
- Promptly performs the exam complete function in the computer to enable timely report availability and billing.
- Demonstrates knowledge of daily charges and is able to reconcile billing errors.
- Ensures correct financial account number is used in the RIS system when performing the order entry function.
- Complies with supervisor's instructions regarding adjustments to staffing levels as needed due to volume changes.
- Is familiar with a wide range of catheters and supplies used for procedures. Uses supplies and equipment conscientiously, reducing waste and damage. Checks expiration dates of all supplies regularly and prior to use.
- Assumes responsibility for self-improvement. Demonstrates an interest in learning new techniques, methods, and procedures to expand knowledge and enhance job. Reviews and works within the Scope of Practice for the Radiologic Technologist. Obtains necessary continuing education credits to maintain certification and licensure in good standing.
- Completes all iCare courses annually, maintains CPR certification, and completes annual self-competency review.
- Knows the Life safety and Fire safety procedures.
- Demonstrates knowledge of the disaster plan.
- Keeps current on department information by reading the communication logs.
- Attends 75% of staff meetings and participates in discussions. Reads and initials minutes of staff meetings that were unattended.

Requirements

- Licensed as Radiologic Technologist Required.

Competencies and Skills

- Behaves with Integrity and Builds Trust: Acts consistently in line with the core values, commitments, and rules of conduct. Leads by example and tells the truth. Does what they say they will, when and how they say they will, or communicates an alternate plan.
- Cultivates Respect: Treats others fairly, embraces and values differences, and contributes to a culture of diversity, inclusion, empowerment, and cooperation.
- Fosters Accountability: Creates and participates in a work environment where people hold themselves and others accountable for processes, results, and behaviors. Takes appropriate ownership not only of successes but also mistakes and works to correct them in a timely manner. Demonstrates understanding that we all work as a team and the quality and timeliness of work impacts everyone involved.
- Practices Compassion: Exhibits genuine care for people and is available and ready to help; displays a deep awareness of and strong willingness to relieve the suffering of others.

Credentials

- Required Radiologic Tech-Radiographer

Education

- Required Associate's Degree

Working Conditions

- Potential exposure to abusive and/or aggressive people.
- Work with computers, typing, reading, or writing.
- Potential exposure to diseases or infections.
- Potential exposure to hazardous materials.
- Lifting, moving, and loading 20 to 30 pounds.
- Potential exposure to noise levels being uncomfortable.
- Prolonged periods of sitting.
- Potential exposure to noxious odors.
- Potential exposure to very hot or cold temperatures.

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