Nuclear Medicine Technician

Job Summary

As a Nuclear Medicine Technologist at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, you will play a crucial role in providing advanced diagnostic and therapeutic services to our nation's veterans.

This position requires a highly skilled and experienced individual capable of performing a wide range of nuclear medicine procedures with precision and accuracy.

Schedule : 40 hours per week depending on the FTEE and clinic location.

Primary Responsibilities

Radiopharmaceutical Administration : Prepare, assay, and administer radiopharmaceutical doses to patients by injection, inhalation, or ingestion as prescribed by physicians.

Interpretation of Requests : Interpret requests or instructions from radiologists or medical officers, ensuring accurate execution of procedures.

Intravenous Catheterization : Proficiently introduce intravenous catheters in patients for the administration of radiopharmaceuticals and / or medications.

Blood Glucose Testing : Test blood glucose levels in patients and respond appropriately to results that are outside the normal range.

Patient Identification and Explanation : Ensure patient ID bands match the request and explain procedures to patients in a manner that gains cooperation, understanding, and allays apprehension.

Side Effects Management : Be knowledgeable about possible side effects of radiopharmaceuticals and other medications administered, taking immediate action to remedy any noted effects.

Patient Positioning and Comfort : Position patients for desired results using positioning cushions and privacy shields as appropriate, ensuring patient comfort throughout procedures.

Radiopharmaceutical Dose Management : Order and manage radiopharmaceutical doses required for daily patient studies, maintaining adequate supplies to perform studies without delay whenever possible.

Hybrid Imaging Operation : Operate nuclear medicine equipment such as SPECT, SPECT / CT, PET, and PET / CT systems for various patient procedures.

Exposure Rate Calculations : Understand and perform exposure rate calculations, ensuring patient safety and regulatory compliance.

Diagnostic Imaging and Therapeutic Procedures : Perform a full range of nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging, non-imaging, in-vitro, and therapeutic procedures, including highly specialized computer-assisted studies.

Hybrid Imaging Interpretation : Perform and understand a range of hybrid imaging studies, including SPECT / CT and PET / CT, ensuring accurate interpretation and analysis of images.

Continuing Education : Keep up-to-date with new imaging agents, procedures, and methods, and write imaging protocols for departmental use.

Quality Control and Assurance : Calibrate and perform quality control measures on imaging systems, assist in troubleshooting issues, and ensure compliance with quality control standards.

Patient Safety and Radiation Management : Maintain patient safety at all times, adhere to ALARA principles, and ensure compliance with Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and other regulatory requirements.

Documentation and Billing : Record appropriate data and related information for patient studies, ensure proper billing and workload information using accurate CPT codes.

Schedule Management : Schedule patient procedures, taking into consideration equipment availability, patient condition, and urgency of requests.

Collaboration and Communication : Work closely with other healthcare professionals, nuclear medicine physicians, and external agencies as necessary, fostering an environment of teamwork and positive workplace culture.

Research and Education : Participate in research projects, instruct students and new technologists, and provide written and verbal analysis of testing and procedures.

Other Duties : Perform other nuclear medicine-related duties as assigned by supervisors.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of two years' current experience as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist, preferably in a hospital setting covering inpatient units, emergency department, and ICU.
• Recent experience in nuclear medicine procedures and patient care.
• Certification as a Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist from the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Nuclear Medicine (NM).
• Proficiency in operating nuclear medicine equipment and performing a variety of nuclear medicine procedures.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
2 days ago