Radiology Specialty Tech

Position Summary: 

Perform Diagnostic Radiology procedures as well as be certified, competent, and actively perform in Computed Tomography, Mammography, MRI, or Bone Density.

Education, License & Cert: 

Associates degree or higher in a Radiologic Technology program from an accredited school is required. Licenses: ARRT certification in Radiography and Computed Tomography are required. Certification in Mammography, MRI or Bone Density is optional.

Experience: 

Six months to one‐year experience in both Diagnostic Radiology and Computed Tomography as well as certification in Mammography, MRI, or Bone Density.

Essential Functions: 

GENERAL RADIOGRAPHY

1. Responsible for all pertinent information documented properly on images ‐ name, date, technologist’s initials, position markers in view, and MSA readout.

2. Responsible for the care and safety of all patients in any radiologic area. 

3. Respect patient modesty, comfort, and privacy.

4. Perform exams in a confident and timely fashion.

5. Be able to adjust to technical factors to accommodate patient differences such as body habitus, mental or physical disabilities, age, etc.

6. Inform Radiology Manager of any problems in the specialty departments.

7. Bring to the attention of the radiologist any special concerns or problems of the patient. 

8. Follow protocols in dealing with patients with infectious diseases. Practice universal precautions and abide by OSHA regulations.

9. Be able to handle stressful situations in dealing with very difficult patients with mental instability and/or various handicaps.

10. Must be able to react quickly to emergency situations such as patient fainting, patient being unsteady, codes, etc.

11. Wear film badges and name badges in visible areas while on duty.

12. Responsible for assisting with fluoroscopy examinations as well as OR procedures.

13. Keep all Radiology rooms neat, clean, and stocked with linens, required contrast medias, gloves, etc. 

14. Properly clean detector, x‐ray table, wall bucky and sponges after each patient.

MAMMOGRAPHY

1. Position and instruct patients for various views of mammography, adjust radiographic equipment to correct settings for each view, produce images of the highest technical quality.

2. Perform routine quality control checks on mammography unit and reading stations. Perform other mammography QC as required: phantom checks, compression checks, repeat analysis, etc.

3. Be able to explain all mammography procedures to patients including routine mammography, spot compression views, magnification, post biopsy views, and ultrasound of the breast. Be knowledgeable in BSE (breast self‐examination) to teach and explain the importance to patients and answer questions and concerns.

4. Must be knowledgeable in special views such as spot compression views and magnification views. 

5. Practice radiation safety using the ALARA principle. Minimize the radiation exposure to the patient, yourself, co‐workers, etc. at all times.

6. Properly clean detector and compression paddle after each patient.

7. Keep mammography room neat, clean, and stocked with linens, gloves, pamphlets, deodorant packets, etc.

8. Make sure to explain to the patient the importance of proper compression in detecting tiny cancers.

9. Have knowledge of breast anatomy.

10. Be capable of scheduling mammograms. Know definitions of screening and diagnostic mammograms. When scheduling mammograms, get all information needed ‐ screening or diagnostic, name and DOB, previous mammogram location and call for films, ordering provider, patient’s telephone number, remind patient not to use powder or deodorant, etc.

11. Be responsible for all pertinent information on ordering request and report form: screening or diagnostic, where and when of previous mammograms, diagnosis, technologist signature, number of films, time completed, occurrence of anything out of the ordinary, properly charged on billing slip, etc.

12. Assist with MSQA responsibilities.

COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

1. Responsible for operating head or body scanner which creates a computer‐generated cross‐sectional image, commonly called a CAT (Computed Axial Tomography) Scan. 

2. Responsible for preparing and educating all patients for their examinations.

3. Provide patient care that is essential to the performance of a variety of CT procedures.

4. Take proper medical history before all examinations, including checking patient’s lab values.

5. Position patients so all desired anatomy will be demonstrated in the scan.

6. Determine and set appropriate technical parameters to accurately demonstrate anatomy and pathology.

7. Assume responsibility for the safety, mental and physical comfort of patients.

8. Responsible for evaluating cross‐sectional images to determine if they are of optimal quality for the radiologist. 

9. Demonstrate competency and confidence in starting IVs with the administration of contrast media.

10. Practice radiation safety using the ALARA principle.

11. Keep CT room neat, clean, and stocked with linens, gloves, contrast media, and required supplies such as IV needles, syringes, etc.

12. Properly clean CT table and sponges after each patient.

MRI 

1. Responsible for advising and explaining the MRI examination to the patient, including reviewing MRI screening form prior to entering examination room and doing proper patient preparation while respecting patient modesty, comfort, and privacy. 

2. Responsible for operating all MRI equipment in which they have been oriented on and trained on. This includes operating the scanner, contrast injector, and technologist workstation. 

3. Prepare contrast material for desired MRI scans. 

4. Position patients so all desired anatomy will be demonstrated in the scan.

5. Responsible for evaluating cross‐sectional images to determine if they are of optimal quality for the radiologist. 

6. Perform all exams in a confident and timely fashion.

7. Be able to adjust to technical factors to accommodate patient differences such as body habitus, mental or physical disabilities, age, etc.

8. Inform Radiology Manager of any problems in the specialty departments.

9. Bring to the attention of the radiologist any special concerns or problems of the patient. 

10. Follow protocols in dealing with patients with infectious diseases. Practice universal precautions and abide by OSHA regulations.

11. Be able to handle stressful situations in dealing with very difficult patients with mental instability and/or various handicaps. 

12. Must be able to react quickly to emergency situations such as patient fainting, patient being unsteady, codes, etc. As well as be educated and informed of MRI safety protocols. 

13. Wear film badges and name badges in visible areas while on duty.

14. Compliance with rules/regulations of federal, state, and local governments. 

15. Knowledgeable and compliant with established department and organization policies and procedures. 

16. Responsible for assisting in diagnostic radiology and fluoroscopy examinations when MRI is not busy.

17. Keep MRI scanner room and technologist control area neat, clean, and stocked with needed supplies. 

18. Properly clean MRI scanner, contrast injector, and any sponges/coils that have been soiled due to use.

BONE DENSITY

1. Perform daily QC on the bone density machine, as well as be able to archive scans and perform system backups as required by supervisor. 

2. Perform optimal bone density scans on the patient’s hips, lumbar spine and/or forearms. 

3. Analyze all scans and edit as necessary. Be able to manually enter previous bone density scan results into machine to compare scans when necessary.

4. Responsible for taking proper medical history before all examinations and knowledgeable in the modality to answer any patient questions/concerns.

5. Practice radiation safety using the ALARA principle.

6. Keep Bone Density room neat, clean, and stocked with linens and gloves.

7. Properly clean Bone Density table, foot holder and sponges after each patient.

Other Duties: 

1. Perform all functions of Radiologic Technologist job.

2. Perform required number of exams as needed for MSQA, accreditations and certifications.

3. Obtain proper continuing education requirements as needed for each specialty certifications.

4. Demonstrate a willingness to accept non‐routine work assignments, as appropriate.

5. Report any equipment malfunctions to supervisor.