Veterinary Care Generalist - Imaging

About the role

The Veterinary Teaching Hospital Job Summary highlights the responsibilities and requirements for the Veterinary Teaching Hospital Imaging service. The Veterinary Technician will assist in performing diagnostic procedures, advanced imaging modalities, and maintain equipment, records, and supplies.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine diagnostic procedures on animal patients under the direction of the radiologist or staff veterinarians.
• Perform advanced imaging modality exams.
• Maintain the equipment, records, and supplies in the assigned area.
• Assist in the training of veterinary students, veterinary technician students, and others in diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in veterinary imaging.
• Assist in performing imaging procedures on Large and Small animals under the direction of the radiologist or senior technician.
• Retake or perform additional images as requested by ordering veterinarian or radiologist.
• Advise radiologist of any special or unique patients or situations that could affect exam.
• Open Radiology Section.
• Perform warm-up procedures on x-ray equipment.
• Perform equipment calibration as required.
• Prepare the x-ray room, restrain and/or position the patient and equipment to perform the requested diagnostic procedure (small and large animals).
• Set proper x-ray exposure technique for the patient size and equipment type.
• Follow ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Acceptable) principle.
• Perform image critique for image quality, artifacts, patient position, proper anatomical markers, and patient demographics.
• Perform repeat images as needed.
• Perform additional views as needed.
• Assist in performing mobile exams in OR and large animal wards utilizing the Min-X portable machine.
• Assist in special procedures including but not limited to myelograms, esophagrams, cystograms, upper Gl's, fistulograms and excretory urograms.
• Operate the fluoroscopy unit under the direction of the radiologist.
• Absorb patient flow through department.
• Determine amount of oral or IV contrast to be used for a specific exam and patient.
• Administer contrast material under the supervision of a senior technician.
• Begin cross-training on advanced modalities consisting of Ultrasound, CT, MRI, or Nuclear Medicine.
• Absorb special projects and/or committees including collection and organization of data as requested by the radiologist, section chief, or animal imaging coordinator.
• Absorb research projects that require imaging modalities as requested by residents or faculty.
• Perform maintenance needed to keep the rooms and machines clean and operable.
• Report any malfunctioning of equipment to higher level AIT or animal imaging coordinator.
• Contact vendor regarding equipment malfunction and maintenance as directed.
• Provide teaching and instruction to students and new staff on performing imaging procedures.
• Absorb sedation as needed to complete exam, under the direction of the radiologist.
• Absorb support of EMR, the digital imaging interface and storage system (PACS) and other digital image manipulations.
• Absorb preparation and giving rounds to fourth year veterinary students including but not limited to orientation and safety lectures as required by the curriculum.
• Absorb stock medications and supplies needed in each exam room.
• Order medications and supplies through the IMS system.
• Recognize an emergency, take proper precautions and call for help.
• Notify Senior Imaging Specialist, radiologist, or animal imaging coordinator of any unusual occurrence.
• Maintain confidentiality of patient information as regulated by the University of Illinois and Veterinary Teaching Hospital policy.
• Maintain all radiation safety training required per IEMA and the Division of Radiation Safety regulations.

Qualifications

Successful completion or current enrollment in the final semester of a veterinary technology program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).