Perm Placement - Nuclear Medicine Tech OOJ

Nuclear Medicine Technologist

What does a nuclear medicine technologist do? Nuclear medicine technologists perform tests for diagnosis and medical research. They prepare and give small doses of radioactive drugs (radiopharmaceuticals) to patients, then use high-level imaging equipment to record images of the radioactive material in the body.

The Nuclear Medicine Technologist performs a variety of complex imaging and non-imaging tests on patients of all ages from neonatal to geriatric, which require professional judgment and interaction with patients, physicians, and other allied health care professionals. He/she is able to work independently although technical supervision assistance is always available. Knowledge of Nuclear Medicine, Positron Imaging, radiation safety and the ability to evaluate the results along with the ability to determine the need for concomitant or additional studies is required.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• DOSE CALCULATION AND ADMINISTRATION: Correctly makes modifications of pharmaceutical doses. Is able to correctly perform manual decay and concentration formulas. Able to correctly modify dosages for patients of all ages, from neonate to geriatric. Prepares and administers appropriate dosages of radiopharmaceuticals in preparation for diagnostic procedures.
• Promptly and accurately enters all radiopharmaceutical data including; kit activity, patient dosage, and associated patient information data, into the logbooks.
• Routinely helps maintain pharmacy records in a current state by; entering unit doses and patient info into logbooks in a timely manner, performing daily tasks such as end of day summaries, end of day surveys, weekly wipe tests, and pharmacy instrumentation check data. Maintains files of data in a current and complete manner.
• IMAGING PROCEDURES: Establishes correct patient identification, order verification, relevant diagnosis and appropriateness of exam prior to performing imaging procedure. Records relevant patient history, labs and other correlative imaging results.
• Visually inspects the patient and records any observations that may contribute additional information that may aide in exam interpretation including: contamination, injection site and attenuation artifacts, patient motion, recent surgical or trauma sites, and interfering medications.
• Educates and thoroughly explains procedure to patient. Answers questions within realm of expertise. Works to allay patient fears and anxiety and promotes patient cooperation needed to perform a high quality examination.
• Consistently demonstrates computer skills and theoretical knowledge necessary to acquire and process planar, 2-dimensional, or 3-dimensional data. Acquires necessary views to evaluate suspected condition or disease process and exposes film in a quality manner with regard to exposure, necessary annotation, magnification, and proper image format.
• Consistently demonstrates knowledge in cross sectional anatomy and SPECT applications. Independently maintains and improves technical skills to improve versatility. Demonstrates the ability to make judgment calls with study parameters to improve diagnostic value; i.e., matrix size, acquisition time, filtering techniques and other parameters. Knows what to sacrifice to gain superior study quality. Performs other Medical Imaging procedures as requested and competent.
• OPERATES IMAGING EQUIPMENT (SCINTILLATION CAMERAS, PET CT, GAMMA COUNTERS, COMPUTERS, MULTIFORMATTING DEVICES, AEROSOL DELIVERY SYSTEMS, ETC.), FOR NUCLEAR MEDICINE STUDIES: Performs quality control procedures on instruments including resolution and uniformity testing to ensure that equipment is in proper working order. Checks operation and calibrates monitoring devices against known standards. Records and maintains records of equipment checks.
• Performs minor routine maintenance on equipment as necessary and allowable. Promptly reports problems with equipment to appropriate personnel and works to maintain patient flow during unscheduled repairs. Can independently perform challenging procedures that vary from routine, demonstrating the technical versatility to adjust study parameters for specific indications, unusual requests, or to perform on different camera systems. Demonstrates the ability to modify technical factors to accommodate patient's age and/or size so as to obtain an optimal study.
• RADIATION PROTECTION: Receives and checks all radionuclide shipments for contamination according to radiation safety regulations. Documents and enters all radioactive shipments received in a timely manner. Takes responsibility for tracking and disposal of radioactivity and contaminated materials in accordance with departmental, hospital, federal, and state regulation. Diligently maintains records of all disposals of radioactive materials. Using appropriate instrumentation monitors personnel, work areas, and patient rooms in accordance with prescribed procedures and at required intervals to insure that levels of radiation do not exceed established limits. Reports excessive radiation exposure or incidents involving excess radiation to the Radiation Safety Officer. Always wears film badge and ring badge throughout the shift. Turns in film badge monthly for evaluation.
• Demonstrates proper radiation safety skills in the handling of radioactive materials; i.e., rubber gloves syringe shields, lead pigs, time, distance and shielding.
• Demonstrates complete knowledge of proper procedure to follow in the event of a major or minor spill, responds immediately. Strictly adheres to departmental policy with regard to gathering information relative to a patient's pregnancy and/or breastfeeding status where applicable. Diligently maintains documentation of inquiry in patient folder.

Qualifications

Education

Degree/Diploma Program of Study Additional Information Additional Educational Requirements Successful completion of an accredited Nuclear Medicine Technology training program.

Experience

# of Years Type of Experience Additional Information- 1 Additional Experience Requirements

Certification & Licensures

Certification / License & State (if applicable) Additional Information ARRT (N), or NMTCB certification as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist Required BLS Certification (Basic Life Support) Required Additional Certification/Licensure Requirements

Why is This a Great Opportunity

Great benefits. Relo offered!