Mammography Tech

Patient care

• Obtains complete clinical history, gathers examination data and assesses for contraindicating conditions.
• Ensures that all studies have proper patient identification and right and left markers are utilized appropriately.
• Reviews radiographic images for clinically acceptable results and releases patients.
• Responds to emergency situations.
• Uses critical thinking skills.
• Sets up the equipment to provide imaging service and positions patient for the procedure.

Equipment

• Demonstrates the ability to adjust technique so that patient receives the best study possible and that image quality is maintained.
• Reports problems regarding malfunctioning equipment to supervisor or service provider, so that problem can be corrected in a timely manner.
• Cleans, disinfects and maintains equipment in accordance with infection control policy and department cleaning schedule.
• Ability to properly operate all radiographic equipment in a safe and competent manner.

Education and communication

• Patiently and clearly explains purpose and nature of exam to patient prior to starting of procedure, to minimize anxiety and facilitate cooperation using AIDET.
• Ensures that patient's questions, concerns or contraindications are satisfactorily addressed, notifying physician when this cannot be accomplished, prior to the initiation of the procedure.
• Participates in the orientation and training of departmental employees.
• Provides patients with preparatory instruction and explanation of procedures.

Quality control

• Produces acceptable images, as evidenced by maintaining a first-time acceptance rate of 95 percent.
• Ensures that equipment is fully operational prior to each use, by checking for proper calibration and operating deficiencies.
• Completes all studies in RIS, images are oriented, marked, labeled, and noted correctly prior to sending all studies to PACS; prints CDs as necessary.
• Maintains all documentation so that the facility meets ACR Accreditation standards.
• Technologist is knowledgeable in completing and documenting the following ACR/MQSA QC test: Phantom, Visual checklist, Repeat analysis, Compression-pressure, compression thickness, flat filed test, calibration, Dicom printer test.

Operations

• Restocks linens and supplies, and maintains Mammography Department in clean and orderly condition.
• Transports patients, positions patients, and helps them on and off procedure table.
• Performs patient charging activities on the day the service is rendered.
• Applies shielding.
• Prepares and maintains patient follow-up data.
• Willingly lends knowledge and assistance to others upon request as needed and routinely as time is available, without prompting, so that all working time is used for departmental advantage.
• Performs routine duties of clerical and support personnel in accordance with procedure when warranted to ensure continuity and quality of services.
• Keeps supervisor informed on all responsibilities on an ongoing basis, ensuring prompt notification in the event of problems or potential problems.
• Maintains an individual productivity rate equal to other co-workers.
• Familiar with Mammography Tracking System.
• Maintains Joint Commission standards and any other regulatory agency standards.
• Familiar with FDA/MQSA EQUIP program.