Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Essential Functions

• Performs nuclear medicine procedures inclusive of organ imaging and function studies; assists physician in therapeutic use of radioisotopes.
• Administers isotope dosage accurately following established department procedures; accurately records dosage administered; observes patient during procedure and reports any unusual occurrences to appropriate personnel.
• Ensures operation of imaging equipment by following manufacturer’s instructions, troubleshooting malfunctions, calling for repairs, maintaining equipment inventories, evaluating new equipment and techniques.
• Transfers, positions, and instructs patients regarding the procedure to obtain and affect the desired imaging diagnostic results as specified by the physician.
• Maintains production and quality of images by following established standards, guidelines, and/or procedures; developing images, observing results; making necessary adjustments.
• Works as a member of the healthcare team including physicians, nurses, and other health care professionals in diagnostic testing procedures.
• Adheres to medical and surgical asepsis and standard precautions as required per procedure. Practices radiation protection techniques, minimize radiation to patients and staff, following established safety protocols.
• Maintains a safe and clean work environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Prepares room and equipment for patients.
• Prepares the patient and explains the procedure; observes the patient’s status before, during, and after procedure.
• Identifies patient service requirements by establishing personal rapport with potential and actual patients and other persons in a position to understand service requirements.
• Gains patient cooperation by reducing anxieties; providing explanations of examinations and procedures, answering questions.
• Maintains inventory control; checks equipment, supplies, and accessories on a regular basis; performs routine daily equipment maintenance and cleaning.
• Performs clerical duties and transports patients as required.
• Uses all department systems, including order entry, scheduling, patient location, transport, and radiology information system.
• Aids in quality control/performance improvement measures as required.
• Aids in the clinical education of students and peers.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Associate degree or equivalent from two-year college or technical school.
• Experience: One (1) year Nuclear Medicine experience preferred, but not required.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of field related scanner use and application and the proper use to allow for accurate evaluation and reading by physicians.
• Knowledge of how to transfer images from disk to magnetic media to produce transparencies.
• Skill in placing the patient to ensure proper and most accurate scanning.
• Skill in providing quality control for completeness of transparencies and scans, and monitoring and using equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to complete routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to listen and accurately interpret others’ communication or instructions to take appropriate action.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
• Ability to calculate figures and compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs; ability to apply basic algebraic concepts.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions; ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

Physical Demands And Work Environment

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
• The employee frequently is required to walk.
• The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to fumes or airborne particles, potentially toxic fluids, chemicals or tissues, and risk of radiation.
• The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may potentially be exposed to infectious organisms during routine and emergency situations.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.