NUCLEAR MEDICINE TECHNOLOGIST

Description

Job Summary / Overall Objectives

The Nuclear Medicine Technologist prepares, measures and administers radiopharmaceuticals in diagnostic and therapeutic studies to produce scans of radioactive isotopes in specified anatomical parts and systems.

Essential Job Functions

Collects pertinent data about the patient and procedure.

Reconfirms the patient's identification and verifies the physician's order.

Verifies patient's pregnancy status when appropriate.

Assures the proper screening protocol is completed.

Provides information to the patient about procedure.

Verifies the patient has consented to the procedure and answers any questions the patient may have.

Provides accurate explanations and instructions at an appropriate time and at a level the patient can understand.

Analyzes the information obtained during the assessment phase and determines optimal scanning parameters per diagnosis.

Determines whether the patient has been appropriately prepared for the procedure.

Assesses factors that may contraindicate procedure such as medications and insufficient patient preparation.

Uses professional judgment to adapt imaging and therapeutic procedure to improve diagnostic quality and therapeutic outcome.

Administers radiopharmaceuticals according to established guidelines.

Administers radiopharmaceutical doses under the direction of the radiologist.

Positions patient to obtain optimal image / scan.

Using sterile techniques, preps site and starts I.V. when applicable.

Obtains optimal images during scan.

Adjusts the imaging parameters to improve the outcome of the procedure.

Assesses images for technical quality and adjusts as needed.

Sends images to PACS for interpretation by radiologist.

Documents information about patient care, exam, and patient history in appropriate record.

Verifies correct order is entered into HIS / RIS

Documents appropriate patient history into PACS system

Documents any exceptions from the established guidelines.

Maintains records about the use of radioactive materials.

Documents diagnostic and treatment in the appropriate record

Scans appropriate documents into PACS.

Facilitates correspondence with all departments to assure procedures are done in a timely manner.

Works with centralized scheduling, nursing units and ER to accommodate STAT or ASAP orders.

Responds to emergency call per department procedures.

Maintains equipment and workstation in optimum condition.

Performs daily QC on equipment.

Performs regularly scheduled calibration and / or quality control on equipment, cameras, dose calibrator, and survey meters.

Maintains records of calibration.

Transports used generators and contaminated vials and materials to decayed area if applicable

Disposes of radioactive waste according to established procedures and safety standards.

Performs daily and weekly survey and wipes to monitor radioactive contamination.

Assures adequate patient care and office supplies are maintained.

Reports equipment malfunction to service provider.

Implements downtime procedures when necessary.

Coordinates rescheduling of patients during equipment downtime.

Initiates established downtime procedures during HIS / RIS and PACS downtime.

Attends department / reviews meeting minutes as required.

Other duties as assigned.

Competency and Experience (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

Required Qualifications / Experience

Completion of a (JRCNMT) accredited nuclear medicine program

Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.

Strong ability to communicate complex and / or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience

Preferred Qualifications / Experience

• One (1) year nuclear medicine experience.

License, Certification & Clearances

Registry with Nuclear Medicine Technologist certification board (NMTCB) and / or registry with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) with credentialing in Nuclear Medicine (RTN).

Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program.

Act 33 with renewal

Act 34 with renewal

Act 73 FBI Clearance

Supervisory Responsibilities

Position Type / Expected Hours of Work

Incumbents will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).

Travel may be expected locally between System locations.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Work Environment

Effective March 2020 or during pandemic : goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelines

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and / or transfer device is required.

Essential – Absolute Necessity.

Marginal – Minimal Necessity.

Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps / shift.

Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps / shift.

Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps / shift.

Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps / shift.

Physical Condition

Essential

Marginal

Constantly

Frequently

Occasionally

Rarely

Never

Extreme Heat

Extreme Cold

Heights

Confined Spaces

Extreme Noise(>

85dB)

Mechanical Hazards

Use of Vibrating Tools

Operates Vehicle (company)

Operates Heavy Equipment

Use of Lifting / Transfer Devices

Rotates All Shifts

8 Hours Shifts

10-12 Hours Shifts

On-Call

Overtime(+8 / hrs / shift; 40 / hr / wk)

Travel Between Sites

Direct Patient Care

Respirator Protective Equipment

Eye Protection

Head Protection (hard hat)

Hearing Protection

Hand Protection

Feet, Toe Protection

Body Protection

Latex Exposure

Solvent Exposure

Paint (direct use) Exposure

Dust (sanding) Exposure

Ethylene Oxide Exposure

Cytotoxic (Chemo) Exposure

Blood / Body Fluid Exposure

Chemicals (direct use) Exposure

Mist Exposure

Wax Stripper (direct use)

Non-Ionizing Radiation Exposure

Ionizing Radiation Exposure

Laser Exposure

Physical Demands

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and / or transfer device is required.

Essential – Absolute Necessity.

Marginal – Minimal Necessity.

Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps / shift.

Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps / shift.

Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps / shift.

Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps / shift.

Physical Condition

Essential

Marginal

Constantly

Frequently

Occasionally

Rarely

Never

Bending (Stooping)

Sitting

Walking

Climbing Stairs

Climbing Ladders

Standing

Kneeling

Squatting (Crouching)

Twisting / Turning

Keyboard / Computer Operation

Gross Grasp

Fine Finger Manipulation

Hand / Arm Coordination

Pushing / Pulling(lbs. of force)

Carry

Transfer / Push / Pull Patients

Seeing Near w / Acuity

Feeling (Sensation)

Color Vision

Hearing Clearly

Pulling / Pushing Objects Overhead

Reaching Above Shoulder Level

Reaching Forward

Lifting Floor to Knuckle

Lifting Seat Pan to Knuckle

Lifting Knuckle to Shoulder

Lifting Shoulder to Overhead

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and / or transfer device is required.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Protected Veterans / Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights () notice from the Department of Labor.