Nuclear Medicine Tech

Job Description

Operates nuclear medicine apparatus and auxiliary equipment. Performs diagnostic scans and produces outputs to film / workstation for physician interpretation. Maintains and cleans equipment.

Job Responsibility

Properly identifies oneself and properly identifies patient prior to start of procedure as established by departmental policies and procedures.

Initiates and maintains quality patient care throughout patient procedure.

Assures that all patients are secured when on the procedure table.

Assesses and responds to individual patient need.

Considers patient comfort and emotional needs.Interacts courteously and respectfully in all contacts.

Explains procedure and requirements to patient and family members, within a reasonable amount of time, prior to beginning procedure.Answers questions competently.

Collects and documents clinical information relevant to procedure by interview, from the patient and / or family member, and other health care providers.

Completes assessment by utilizing the medical record and Nuclear Medicine request to ensure appropriateness of procedure ordered.

Establishes appropriate and effective communication with patient and / or family members in order to successfully and optimally complete the procedure.

Keeps patient and / or family members informed of progress and / or delays associated with their procedure.Interfaces with patient, staff and physicians both within and external to the department to facilitate the improvement of the patient experience in every possible way.

Works continuously to improve Press Ganey scores via patient satisfaction.

Provides thorough and accurate documentation in NMIS, RIS, medical record, and patient assessment forms by documenting pertinent data regarding radiopharmaceutical injection, patient's condition and variables affecting outcome of procedure, and clinical indications for procedure.

Properly follows established procedures for reporting and documenting completed STAT requests.

Legibly documents on the NM request in RIS any reasons for delays in performing a patient procedure within 24 hours of receipt, or cancellation of patient procedure. Includes time, date, contacts and initialed.

Practices established radiation protection for self, staff, and patients.

Uses proper radiation safety techniques (time / distance / shielding).

Performs radiation surveys and wipe tests as assigned and documents results.

Checks all doses for correct labeling and content prior to administration.

Performs disposal of radioactive waste and correctly documents its disposition in NMIS. Performs personnel monitoring at end of shift.

Injects patients using aseptic technique; rarely infiltrates; asks for assistance in difficult situations.

Accurately prepares room and patient for procedure, assuring all needed equipment is available, prior to start of the exam.

Upon completion of procedure properly cleans and organizes room and returns all supplies.

Correctly selects / sets patient orientation, collimator, camera, computer acquisition and radionuclide peak.

Processes studies using appropriate defaults, and appropriately adjust parameters when necessary to obtain optimal reconstruction.

Obtains required views per established exam protocols and documents reason(s) when required views are modified or not obtainable.

Properly verifies images when submitting for interpretation including, patient name, date, medical record number, view ID (including orientation / position), pharmaceutical, injection site, artifacts.

Images according to established templates.

Accurately performs established QC procedures on cameras and dose calibrators.

Monitors results and takes corrective action or initiates repair, as appropriate.

Documents QC results.

Surveys each isotope shipment as established by the BRH and enters in NMIS correctly.

Enters patient dose information in the NMIS and on NM request.

Prepares radiopharmaceutical kits according to manufacturer's directions and established infection control and radiation safety standards.

Performs radioactive waste (sharps) disposal in the NMIS as required.

Records disposal of all radioactive materials.

Removes all labels and enters in the NMIS.

In the absence of supervisory personnel, if most senior, assumes leadership responsibilities as required.

Notifies appropriate supervisory personnel of shortages of supplies, unusual problems or situations within the department or changes in patient scheduling.

Notifies appropriate supervisory personnel of infection control deficiencies or unsafe working conditions or practices.

Performs quality control and preventive maintenance checks as assigned.

Completes / revises / cancels Nuclear Medicine orders in the RIS per department policies.

Transports patients when necessary to expedite examinations and or patientPerforms related duties as required.

• ADA Essential Functions

PHYSICAL DEMANDS :

Frequently lifts or moves objects, i.e., cassettes, portables, etcOccasionally moves with assistance, patients or objects greater than 150 lbs.

Occasionally carries objects weighing up to 50 lbsFrequently pushes objects up to 200 lbs.

Job Qualification

Graduate from accredited Nuclear Medicine Technology program, required. Bachelor's Degree, preferred.

New York State Department of Health license as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist, required.

American Registry of Radiological Technologists (ARRT) registration

OR

Certification by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB)

Minimum of two (2) years experience as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist, required.

The salary range and / or hourly rate listed is a good faith determination of potential base compensation that may be offered to a successful applicant for this position at the time of this job advertisement and may be modified in the future.When determining a team member's base salary and / or rate, several factors may be considered as applicable (e.g., location, specialty, service line, years of relevant experience, education, credentials, negotiated contracts, budget and internal equity).