Lead Nuclear Medicine Tech

Lead Nuclear Medicine Tech Job Summary: This position performs diagnostic PET‑only procedures to support high‑quality patient care and accurate clinical decision‑making. The technologist adheres strictly to all radiation safety policies, regulatory standards, and institutional protocols to ensure the safety of patients, staff, and themselves. Serving as a liaison between the patient and physician, this role guides patients through the imaging process, provides education and reassurance, and facilitates effective communication within the care team. The technologist may be required to access and administer medications, including radiopharmaceuticals, within their scope of practice and in accordance with state law and organizational policies. This position supports both clinical and research imaging, requiring strong attention to detail, adherence to study protocols, and the ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. In addition, the technologist will assist department management with the operational development and ongoing support of a start‑up PET imaging service. This includes contributing to workflow design, equipment installation and acceptance activities, and the establishment of standard operating procedures that promote safety, efficiency, and high‑quality imaging. The technologist will help create and refine PET/CT protocols, participate in quality assurance and quality control processes, and collaborate with leadership to ensure the department meets regulatory, accreditation, and radiation safety requirements. The technologist will support the build‑out of the PET program by assisting with coordination between radiopharmacy partners, vendors, medical physicists, and IT/PACS teams to ensure seamless integration of imaging systems and data workflows. Responsibilities also include developing patient preparation guidelines, communicating best‑practice imaging standards to staff, and identifying operational improvements as the department grows. As the service expands, the technologist may participate in technologist onboarding and training, contribute to process evaluations, and provide feedback to management regarding staffing needs, equipment performance, and workflow optimization. This role is instrumental in helping establish a patient‑centered PET program that delivers safe, reliable, and consistent high‑quality diagnostic imaging. Responsibilities Radiopharmaceutical Preparation & Administration Administers radiopharmaceuticals by IV injection, inhalation, or oral administration following established protocols and state regulations. Calculates required radiopharmaceutical activity and volume according to prescribed procedures. Assays radiopharmaceutical doses, prepares standards in scintillation counting systems, performs required calculations, and documents results. Maintains full compliance with radiation safety policies, including documentation for receipt, administration, storage, and disposal of radioactive materials. Clinical & Research Imaging Performs clinical and research PET imaging procedures, including breast imaging research, according to protocol and physician orders. Prepares equipment and instrument sets for imaging procedures. Positions patients accurately to achieve high quality, diagnostic‑grade images. Verifies scan quality and performs computer‑based image and data processing. Optimizes imaging techniques and uses appropriate judgment to maximize image quality. Patient Care & Communication Explains imaging procedures to patients, ensuring understanding and reducing anxiety. Monitors and communicates patient status to the appropriate physician or care team. Serves as a liaison between physicians and patients, communicating special needs, clinical changes, or procedure requirements. Equipment Operation & Quality Control Performs and documents quality control checks on imaging systems, dose calibrators, radiation detectors, and safety monitors. Identifies equipment issues and reports findings promptly to maintain ongoing performance and radiation safety compliance. Laboratory & Operational Support Assists in maintaining laboratory inventory, including ordering supplies and restocking as needed. Ensures proper care, cleanliness, and maintenance of imaging equipment and work areas. Functions independently and collaborates effectively with coworkers, coordinating patient needs and procedure workflow with physicians and other clinical staff. Lead Technologist Duties Provides day‑to‑day technical leadership for PET operations, serving as the primary resource for technologists and support staff. Assists department management in developing, refining, and implementing PET/CT imaging protocols to ensure standardization, image quality, and regulatory compliance. Oversees daily workflow, including patient scheduling coordination, radiopharmaceutical timing, and room utilization to maintain efficient, on‑time operations. Leads and monitors PET‑related quality assurance and quality control activities, ensuring completion, documentation accuracy, and prompt resolution of deficiencies. Supports the onboarding, training, and competency assessment of new technologists and students, including coaching in PET procedures, safety practices, and workflow expectations. Coordinates with radiopharmacy partners, vendors, physicists, and IT/PACS personnel to troubleshoot issues, optimize system performance, and support departmental initiatives. Assists management in maintaining compliance with regulatory, accreditation, and radiation safety requirements by participating in audits, inspections, and policy updates. Identifies workflow gaps and operational opportunities, recommends improvements, and collaborates with leadership to implement process enhancements. Serves as a role model for professionalism, safety, communication, and patient‑centered care while fostering a collaborative team environment. Provides input regarding staffing needs, equipment performance, supply usage, and other operational considerations to support department planning and resource management. Minimum Qualifications Current RQI Healthcare Provider eCredential through the University of Utah Health RQI system. The eCredential is to be obtained within 30 days of hire. Current licensure to practice as a Radiologic Technologist in the state of Utah. Registration with the American Registry of Radiological Technologists (ARRT) as an R.T. (CT). Training and/or experience in the latest techniques of radiation safety, radiopharmaceutical preparation and computer processing techniques to perform patient examinations. Additional Qualification Requirements Nuclear Medicine Technician Certification. Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or ARRT registration as Nuclear Medicine Technology R.T. (N). Preferences Ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined above. Demonstrated human relation and effective communication skills. Ability to provide care appropriate to the population served. Proficient in the use of the PACS system to retrieve and archive data. Performs all RIS functions (scheduling, completing, etc.) as appropriate. Demonstrates the ability to properly identify and administer radiopharmaceuticals. Not Required Registration with the American Registry of Radiological Technologists (ARRT) as an R.T. (CT) and the requirement within one year of hire are not required for this position. #J-18808-Ljbffr