Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Job Description

Job Summary:

• The Nuclear Medicine Technologist (NM Tech), under general supervision of a Radiologist, performs nuclear medicine procedures, PET, and theranostic procedures on ambulatory and hospital patients as requested by a physician or other licensed provider for the diagnosis of disease and injury in accordance with established protocols.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Quality Assurance:

• Performs high-quality nuclear medicine, PET, and theranostic procedures (planar, SPECT, and SPECT/CT) according to exam protocol in a timely manner.
• Systematically evaluates the quality of imaging procedures and follows established standards and procedures.
• Maintains equipment by performing quality control (Q.C.) as required by imaging manufacturers, radiation materials license (RAM), or American College of Radiology (ACR).
• Works with engineers and physicists to ensure optimal operational capabilities of equipment.

Caring Practices:

• Communicates with patients to identify patient service requirements, ensure the correct exam is performed, and establish rapport with patients and others.
• Instructs and communicates with patients and their families, in accordance with HIPAA, regarding the test to be performed and assesses the patient’s ability to tolerate the exam.

Patient Safety:

• Explains the procedure thoroughly to put patients at ease.
• Protects patients and team members by adhering to safety requirements, infection-control protocols, and techniques.
• Prepares the patient and area for the procedure by positioning the patient, adjusting immobilization devices, and moving equipment into the specified position.
• Uses proper aseptic or sterile techniques as needed when setting up and performing invasive procedures and maintains hand hygiene requirements.

Radiation Safety:

• Protects patients, team members, and themselves by adhering to all radiation safety requirements, policies, protocols, and techniques.
• Verifies that the correct radioactive drug has been selected for the exam or treatment.
• Screens patients appropriately for pregnancy status prior to the start of the exam or treatment.
• Safely administers radiopharmaceuticals and adjunctive medications per protocol.
• Educates patients on radiation safety techniques pre- and post-exam or treatment.
• Safely follows radiation disposal guidelines.

Collaboration:

• Reports issues to leadership or the appropriate department.
• Assists the department in maintaining supply inventory and ordering radiopharmaceuticals for patient care and Q.C. Works collaboratively with colleagues, nursing partners, medical staff, and Radiologists.
• Ensures accurate transfer of patient images to the Client Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) for clinical review and dictation by physician partners.

Certification/Degree Requirements: 

• ARRT (N) or CNMT, BLS (AHA Only).

Minimum Experience:

• 1 year of minimum experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to observe changes in the medical condition of patients and effectively communicate changes to nursing partners, physicians, and emergency response teams as needed; ability to administer first aid and use the emergency cart.
• Demonstrates and maintains current knowledge, continued education, and skills appropriate for care of the following age groups (specific to department): newborn, pediatric, young adult, adult, and geriatric.
• Able to provide services timely, accurately, and cost-efficiently in compliance with established system and regulatory standards, policies, and procedures.
• Able to perform tasks independently without routine oversight.
• Able to maintain a calm and helpful attitude, even under stress, and take appropriate and reasonable steps to resolve issues.
• Ensures customer satisfaction by limiting wait times, providing courteous service, remaining professional, reviewing patient satisfaction scores, and developing action plans when required.
• Able to serve as a trainer by providing quality education to new team members and students from Client-approved programs.
• Adheres to policies, procedures, and workflows, including PACS, EMR, image exchange systems, modality worklist integrity, record management, and Biomedical services.
• General computer skills, including Microsoft Office, information security, electronic medical documentation, and email.
• Able to take call, if required.

Scrub Color: Maroon.

Interview Type: Phone/Virtual.