Registered Radiologist Assistant

JOB SUMMARY

Under the direction and supervision by a physician who holds active credentials and radiology specific privileges, the Radiology Practitioner Assistant (RPA)/Registered Radiologist Assistant (RRA) provides primary patient care and assesses the radiographic findings to determine if immediate radiologist interpretation is needed. Increases the accessibility to quality radiologic healthcare by assisting the radiologist with patient assessment, patient management, and radiological procedures.

MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

· This position complies with all CHRISTUS Health quality, safety, and emergency policies and procedures. Demonstrates quality and effectiveness in work habits and clinical practice in every interaction with patients, colleagues, providers, and leadership. Ensures patient safety in the preparation and provisioning of care related to but not limited to medications, procedures, infection prevention, fall prevention and procedural timeouts.

· Contributes to physician's effectiveness by identifying short-term and long-range patient care issues that must be addressed; providing information and commentary pertinent to deliberations; recommending options and courses of action; implementing physician directives

· Documents patient care services by charting in patient and department records

· Performs selected fluoroscopic procedures, static and dynamic, and evaluates imaging procedures, in which competency has been demonstrated.

· Performs selected invasive procedures, in which competency has been demonstrated.

· Evaluates medical images, reviews preliminary reports and images with radiologists, and dictates final reports that will be reviewed and signed off by the supervising staff radiologist.

· Participates in patient management by obtaining additional images or imaging studies necessary for accurate diagnosis. Assesses and evaluates the current physiological and psychological status of each patient.

· Gathers pertinent information from the patient regarding health status and medical history as it relates to the diagnostic process, to assess its relevance to the imaging procedure and to patient management.

· Analyzes medical image findings throughout the procedure to provide a comprehensive examination and to obtain sufficient data for the physician to provide appropriate patient management and render a final diagnosis.

· Establishes that procedures performed to comply with applicable protocols, documents if modifications were made in the protocol, and determines if additional images will enhance the diagnostic value of the procedure.

· Maintains values congruent with the Code of Ethics, as well as adheres to national, institutional, and/or departmental standards, policies, and procedures regarding the standards of care for patients.

· In addition to defined technical requirements, accountable for consistently demonstrating service behaviors and principles defined by CHRISTUS Health; also accountable for consistently demonstrating the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors necessary to provide superior and culturally sensitive service to each other, to our members, and purchasers, contracted providers and vendors.

· Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; participating in professional societies

· Develops health care team staff by providing information, educational opportunities, and experiential growth opportunities

· Performs other duties as assigned.

JOB STANDARD QUALIFICATIONS

A. Education/Skills

· Bachelor’s Degree or certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

· Requires graduation from a certified Radiology Practitioner Assistant program or Registered Radiologist Assistant program.

B. Experience

· 2 -3 years of experience

C. Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications

· Current certification by the Certification Board for Radiology Practitioner Assistants or certification as a Registered Radiologist Assistant by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.

· Current certification by the State of employment for Physician Assistant or Radiologist Assistant