Nuclear Medicine Technologist - General Nuclear Medicine - Days

PRN (As Needed)

Shift: Days (6a-230p)

Monday through Friday

On call Saturday Mornings

Position Function: Under the direction of a radiologist, assists with assessing, planning, implementing, and performing Nuclear Medicine exams. Compounds radiopharmecuticals under the direction of the hospital's Pharmacy Director. Maintains the operational aspects of the Nuclear Medicine Department in collaboration with the Diagnostic Imaging Manager/Administrative Director. Further contributes to other care providers through support of hospital's philosophy, objectives and education efforts.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

1. Maintains a neat, clean, safe environment for patients and staff; communicates to housekeeping as needed.
2. Demonstrates knowledge in the care and cleaning of any radioactive spill, according to established safety procedures. Surveys all clothing, trash bags and packages that leave the Department to ensure that radioactivity is not spread to unaffected persons.
3. Routinely demonstrates competency and adherence to all organizational safety directives and P&Ps including, but not limited to: Fire, "Right to Know" (MSDS), HIPAA, Emergency Preparedness, Infection Control, Life Safety (Utilities), and department specific safety procedures as evidenced in daily performance of job functions and successful response to drills and incidents.
4. Responds appropriately to emergency situations.
5. Maintains continuing education credits as required by NMTCB; proactively renews certifications/renewals before the due date.
6. Contributes/participates in quality improvement activities throughout the year.
7. No eating or drinking is observed in the radiopharmaceutical laboratory.
8. Wears ID badge at all times; wears radiation ring/badge at all times.
9. Annually demonstrates venipuncture competency and follows departmental policy routinely.
10. Ensures that supplies and equipment necessary for patient care are stored in an organized and efficient manner.
11. Demonstrates a willingness to accommodate overtime requirements or changing priorities in the workplace.
12. Competently and accurately performs all Nuclear Medicine tests in accordance with established departmental policy and procedure; assures accuracy for proper test interpretation, recognizing the importance and relationship to patient care.
13. Demonstrates proficiency with Nuclear Medicine equipment to perform Uptake readings, as well as Planar, SPECT, and SPECT/CT imaging.
14. Demonstrates competency to administer and handle isotopes/radioactive material (HAZMAT designation) in accordance with all state (DEP) and federal (DOT, NRC & FDA) regulations.
15. Accurately performs field floods (extrinsics) on all of the gamma cameras daily.
16. Performs COR and bar pattern images (intrinsics) on each camera weekly.
17. Surveys each isotope shipment for leakage and records each shipment properly; responds immediately, according to procedure to any radioactive spill in the shipment box.
18. Performs SPECT/CT Phantom imaging on a daily basis.
19. Always assays and prepares the radioactive dosage prescribed for a patient with a dose calibrator; consistently records the type, route, time and amount of the radiopharmaceutical administered in an accurate manner on the patient's history form in a legible manner.
20. Satisfactorily documents the radiopharmaceuticals daily in the NMIS system and records all information.
21. Handles and disposes used syringes and other used or contaminated materials appropriately (wearing gloves); taking care to separate Tc99m waste from all other radiopharmaceutical waste. Daily and/or as needed, gathers radioactive trash in Hot Lab and places in storage.
22. Verifies correct procedure by checking physician's orders on chart and/or requisition.
23. Verifies correct patient by following department/hospital's patient identification policy.
24. Accurately enters, updates, and edits ITS clinical/demographic/technical information; utilizes EMR inquiry functions correctly.
25. Screens all females of childbearing age for pregnancy according to established guidelines. Documents on history sheet with signature of patient and technologist.
26. Understands and applies age/population-related physiological/anatomical differences when performing tests.
27. Explains the testing procedures to be performed to the patient, giving explanations that are easily understood by patients, family or significant others.
28. Obtains and documents patient history using standard form.
29. Assists patients in preparation for testing; helps patients to undress, as necessary; provides gowns, sheets, ro enclosures to insure privacy to all patients. Requests unauthorized individuals to vacate the area.
30. Follows up procedures by checking Synapse for correct image and documentation transfer from modality.
31. Recognizes and responds to priorities in departmental duties; adapts to changes in the workload.
32. Organizes testing schedule; prioritizes inpatients, and schedules outpatients to accommodate workload.
33. Daily surveys radiation preparation area, clothing, hands, etc.; follows techniques and standards prescribed by regulatory agencies.
34. Performs required surveys and quality control functions to assure maximum instrumentation performance which is intrinsic to achieving the highest study quality possible.
35. In Meditech, enters orders noting accuracy of information -- correct patient name, correct medical record number, birth date, ordering physician, and/or reason for exam.
36. Receives requests for scheduling of Nuclear Medicine procedures. Effectively uses Meditech Community Wide Scheduling system to complete requests received from patients, physician's offices, nursing homes, nursing floors. Schedules Nuclear Medicine procedures appropriately in accordance with departmental guidelines. Instructs as appropriate on required preps for requested procedures.
37. Completes ERFs/injury reports accurately and within 24 hours.
38. Performs duties in an independent manner with little or no need for direct supervision.
39. Recognizes and performs duties to assist co-workers with procedures as assigned; follows directions accurately.
40. Competently illustrates and demonstrates Nuclear Medicine scanning methods and function to students/employees as needed. Works well within the Nuclear Medicine student program.
41. Creates a positive experience for patients, families, and co-workers by using customer service skills in daily work routine.
42. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Standards

Education: Graduate of an AMA approved school of Nuclear Medicine or the equivalent in Nuc Med training and experience. Registered or register-eligible for Nuclear Medicine Technologist Certification Board (NMTCB) and/or American Registry Radiology Technologist-Nuclear (ARRT-N).

Experience: Experience applying customer service behaviors and communication skills required. Nuclear Medicine Technologist experience preferred. Must demonstrate proper knowledge to operate gamma camera and hot lab, and perform routine scanning procedures.

Certifications/Licensure: Registered or certified by Nuclear Medicine Technologist Certification Board (NMTCB) or registry-eligible as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist. If not registered, must become registered within one year of becoming eligible. Current CPR certification required. Informal or continuing education as required to maintain registry in active status.