Per Diem Special Procedures Technician-MSH/QHC/ELM

Per Diem Special Procedures Technician

Under general supervision of licensed physicians and Radiology Supervisor, performs basic and advanced (e.g. computerized tomography/special procedures) radiologic and fluoroscopic examinations in accordance with established departmental policies and procedures. Sets up, adjusts, and operates x-ray, CT and other equipment, selecting proper technical factors to obtain accurate diagnostic radiographs or CAT scans; properly positions and immobilizes patients. Responds to patients, needs as required. Maintains cleanliness of equipment and general working area, stocking clinical supplies. Ensures proper operation of all equipment. Performs quality assurance/CQI functions. Provides instruction to medical students and residents. Provides care to patients of all age groups in the form of diagnostic testing.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Under supervision of physicians and Radiology Supervisor, prepares patients and examination areas in accordance with departmental policies and procedures for administration, as appropriate, of all routine and advanced skeletal, gastrointestinal, genitourinary and chest radiological and fluoroscopic diagnostic examinations. Prepares advanced examinations, such as computerized tomography and special procedures, in accordance with training and certification. Sets up, cleans and adjusts equipment. Loads film, takes x-rays and unloads and transports film. Observes radiation and equipment safety precautions for equipment maintenance and patient/employee well-being. Provides patient orientation prior to examination session.
• Under supervision, performs all routine and advanced (e.g., CT/special procedures) radiological and fluoroscopic diagnostic evaluations in accordance with established clinical protocols. Positions patients in accordance with established procedures. Operates and adjusts equipment, determining current settings and monitoring patient and employee radiation exposure and potential for electric shock; observes safety guidelines. Responds to patients' needs during testing. Records and codes all applicable examination results and completes all relevant medical documentation; properly labels films in accordance with defined procedures. Performs specialized examinations as permitted by experience/registry, such as special procedures/CT scans.
• Provides related support functions as required. Schedules examinations; initiates transportation; maintains examination files and statistics. May answer telephones for area and record messages. Maintains clean work area and equipment and maintains full stock of applicable clinical supplies.
• Ensures good working order of equipment. Troubleshoots routine equipment problems or seeks technical assistance for equipment malfunctions, keeping supervisor(s) appropriately informed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or required as professional special technologist. Trains and orients residents and clinical students from various departments and external institutions. Performs assigned quality assurance/CQI tasks.

Incumbents work under clinical conditions, which may involve exposure to biohazardous substances and materials. Incumbents may be required to wear protective equipment during the administration of diagnostic testing. Controlled low-level exposure to radiation during radiological testing.

Requirements

• Job requires a minimum level of knowledge ordinarily acquired through completion of an Associate's Degree or equivalent NYS accredited training program in radiological technology in order to learn how to conduct skeletal gastrointestinal, genitourinary and chest examinations and familiarity with anatomy, physiology and biology. Special training required to conduct examinations for certain areas such as mammography, special procedures, CT.
• Licensure by New York State Department of Health as Radiologic Technologist is mandatory. Certification required with ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technology) for certain specialty examinations (e.g., CT/vascular). Certification is a preferred credential for this title.
• Prior work experience of more than five years is desired in order to gain seasoned familiarity with administration of radiological testing. Should be knowledgeable about most major models of radiological testing equipment. New special procedure technicians require period of 30 days in order to orient themselves to techniques and work area.
• Very good analytical skills necessary for handling of radiology patients during administration of advanced and routine diagnostic testing. Must be able to appropriately assess the correct action to take during testing, while being cognizant of patient well-being. Must accurately monitor radiation exposure or potential for electronic shock, etc.
• Good interpersonal manner important during delivery of patient care in order to ensure harmonious provision of radiological diagnostic examinations.
• Work requires manual dexterity for use of x-ray and other equipment and instruments. Light lifting of clinical supplies may be required. Adequate physical strength required for positioning of patients and equipment during examinations. Accurate positioning of patients is critical in order to ensure proper quality of radiological examination results and patient safety.