Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Job Summary:

The Nuclear Medicine Technologist is responsible for coordinating patient flow to obtain requested imaging studies in a fast-paced environment. This involves order verification, quality assurance of imaging equipment, proper patient identification, and obtaining appropriate imaging following approved policies and protocols.

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 the organization'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, 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 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 procedure.
• 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.
• Follows manufacturer's instructions for the safe preparation of radiopharmaceuticals under the direct supervision of an authorized user in compliance with State regulations.
• Performs QC (chromatography) when necessary.
• Is familiar with NRC/State regulations, the location of related files, and the License.
• May be asked to assist with State Radiation Control Program inspection.
• Follows safe handling of equipment and radioactive materials procedures per department directive.
• Follows Federal, State, and institutional guidelines for the proper receipt of radiopharmaceuticals.
• Works within the guidelines of the organization's ALARA program to protect patients and personnel from radiation hazards.
• Draws patient doses in accordance with department protocols and monitors all patient doses in the dose calibrator prior to administration.
• Maintains documentation as required by State and Federal regulations and other agencies as needed.
• 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 and documents 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 radioactive materials in accordance with License requirements and institutional policies.
• Packages used dose syringes for return to radiopharmacy per institutional and State regulations.
• Follows sterile, aseptic IV puncture technique.
• Selects and operates appropriate equipment for the procedure requested.
• Produces quality images with few repeats on patients of all age groups, is knowledgeable for care and age-related equipment.
• In conjunction with the RSO, participates in annual testing and calibration of equipment in accordance with Federal/State and ACR regulations/guidelines.
• Performs daily, monthly, and quarterly QC testing of nuclear medicine equipment.
• Ensures quality and continuity of patient care by proper use of the PACS system with accurate data input which includes; patient medical record number and request accession numbers.
• Accurately enters patient data into imaging systems.
• Is able to access images and reports in PACS.
• Determines that consent forms have been obtained when indicated.
• Participates in section-specific and hospital-wide patient PI/QI initiatives.
• Ensures the security of radioactive materials and locks the hot lab, radioactive storage area when unattended.
• Restricts access to the radioactive materials area to authorized staff only.
• Evaluates finished images for quality, adherence to department protocols, artifacts, etc.
• Marks images with appropriate anatomical markers, patient information, and technologist initials.
• Operates within the framework of existing department policies and procedures.
• Following department protocols, performs imaging and therapeutic procedures within established time frames.
• Determines that consent forms have been obtained when indicated.
• Enters patient data into the hot lab computer.
• 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 Northern Light Health's infection control policies and guidelines for Universal Precautions.
• Uses equipment conscientiously to reduce waste and damage.
• Checks expiration dates of all supplies (radioactive and non-radioactive) regularly and prior to use.
• Promptly performs the exam complete function in the computer to enable timely 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 to volume changes.
• 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 Society of Nuclear Medicine Scope of Practice for the Nuclear Medicine Technologist.
• Obtains necessary continuing education credits to maintain certification and licensure in good standing.
• Completes all iCare courses annually, maintains CPR certification, and completes an 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Potential exposure to diseases or infections.
• Potential exposure to hazardous materials.
• Potential exposure to noise levels being uncomfortable.
• Potential exposure to noxious odors.
• Work with computers, typing, reading, or writing.
• Lifting, moving, and loading 20 to 30 pounds.
• Prolonged periods of sitting.
• Prolonged periods of standing.
• Prolonged periods of walking.
• Potential exposure to very hot or cold temperatures.