Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Job Title

The Cincinnati VA Medical Center (CVAMC) is a two-division campus located in Cincinnati, OH and Fort Thomas, KY serving 15 counties in Southwest OH, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana with 6 Community Based Outpatient Clinics located in Bellevue, KY; Florence, KY; Lawrenceburg, IN; Hamilton, OH; Clermont County, OH, and Georgetown, OH. The CVAMC also supports two off main campus locations in the Cincinnati area via an Eye Center and Mental Health Outreach Community Division.

Duties

Work independently.

Adheres to all ALARA (As low as reasonably achievable) practices regarding radioactive material.

Receives packages into the Hotlab.

Reviews packages to determine if it is properly packaged and takes appropriate actions.

Performs package wipes and surveys of incoming/outgoing packages.

Documents receipt/disposal of packaging.

Properly documents the receipt of radioactive material for patient or research use.

Properly performs HOTLAB quality control to include: dose calibrators, well counters, uptake probes, GM meters, and ion chambers on a daily, quarterly, annually basis when applicable.

Perform daily/weekly surveys and wipes for radioactive contamination monitoring.

Perform spill clean-up and document the actions taken in accordance with NRC/NHPP regulations.

Utilizes proper methods for the use and storage of radioactive material.

Monitors and disposes of radioactive material in accordance with NRC/NHPP regulations.

Prepares radioactive material for transportation.

Analyzes circumstances contributing to radiation exposure and recommends procedures to minimize exposure.

Perform all routine nuclear medicine imaging procedures.

Perform all routine non imaging nuclear medicine procedures.

Perform all daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual nuclear medicine camera quality control to include daily floods and center of rotation validations and calibrations when needed.

Evaluate the results of camera quality control to ensure reliable images.

Prepares proper instruments, computers and auxiliary equipment and acquires the study as indicated by the protocol/SOP.

Prepares and performs cardiac monitoring and assists with stress testing by starting IV's and ensuring all monitoring equipment is functional.

Troubleshoots equipment and makes a judgement on the acceptable performance of the equipment prior to initiating a study.

Archives studies and raw data, produce CDs for patients/physicians when requested.

Assesses the performance and transfer of images to PACS (Picture Archiving System).

Perform radioactive blood labeling, in-vitro and in-vivo, with proper documentation.

Adhere to USP 825 standards for labeling blood products and food preparation for radiolabeled eggs/food.

Maintains records of quality control procedures, administered doses and other daily checks as required by NHPP, NRC, THE JC, OSHA, VA Regulations and other licensing agencies.

Schedules patient studies in the appropriate sequence for single /multiple procedures and interact with hospital staff regarding exam preparation.

Receives the patient and provides proper nursing care during Nuclear Medicine procedures.

Performs patient transfers using approved methods such as, but not limited to, patient lifts and roller boards.

Recognize emergency conditions pertaining to the patient or hospital environment and acts appropriately to resolve the condition.

Effectively communicates with the patient, family members, and staff.

Provides clinical instruction to lower-level technologist, physicians, students, patients, staff, and administrators when required.

Provides safe and sanitary working conditions.

Prepares the patient for the procedure.

Obtains patient history and checks procedural contraindications.

Selects and administers the appropriate radiopharmaceutical by the proper route.

Performs any other assigned tasks required by the nuclear medicine leadership.