PET/CT Technologist

Job Description

Job Description

Pay Range : $76/hr - $80/hr
Shift Hours : Monday-Friday, 10am-6pm

Duties:

Job Summary:
Under the general direction of the Director of PET and with the clinical supervision of the reading physician, the technologist performs PET imaging on patients of all ages for the purpose of assisting in the diagnosis of patient illness.

Job Responsibilities:
-Complies with the laws, regulations, and policies governing the practice of nuclear medicine.
-Ensures policies of the hospital, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Safety and the NYS DOH Bureau of Environmental Radiation Protection are followed including Model Rules For Safe Use Of Radioactive Material: Do not eat, drink, or apply cosmetics in any area where radioactive material is stored or used including imaging areas and control rooms.
-Complies with all safety policies and regulations including radiation safety.
-Performs all ordered examinations of appropriate anatomical regions in accordance with Division Standards of Practice and Protocols.
-The technologist must review procedure request, protocol sheet, patient's medical information and screening information to ensure Radiology Department Final Checks process is accurately performed.
-Ensures that any pre-procedural preparation has been completed (e.g., fasting, diet, hydration, glucose levels, voiding, and suspension of interfering medications).
-Maintains and posts current Permits to Practice. Reviews the Procedure Requisition / Protocol Sheet and Patient Screening form and properly explains the procedure to the patient and/or family and when necessary, obtaining the assistance of the hospital designated interpreter or translator.
-The technologist must review procedure request, protocol sheet, patient's medical information and screening information in order to exercise good judgment in assessing and responding to the patient's needs before, during and after diagnostic imaging procedures.
-Under guidance and approval of a Radiologist, administers contrast agents and/or radiopharmaceuticals in compliance with regulatory agencies and in accordance with Standards of Practice and Protocols.
-Performs equipment quality checks and troubleshoots problems; places service calls and notifies all pertinent staff members of issues.
-Documents all radiopharmaceutical doses in required places (NMIS and Siemens system) and provides patients with Dose Exposure Card. Maintains a clean and uncluttered environment.
-Transfers and archives studies to PACS, MIM systems and SMS clinical server (Syngo).
-Provides images to the reading room in accordance with Division Standards of Practice and Protocols.
-Assists in notifying staff ordering supplies of materials needed. Completes necessary administrative tasks.
-Follows quality assurance and HIPAA guidelines and maintains patient confidentiality.
-Reports to the assigned PET area promptly at the start of the shift.
-Performs the required QA and documentation. Performs and documents wipes and survey measurements of area in compliance with regulatory agencies and in accordance with Radiation Safety Policy and Division Standards of Practice and Protocols.
-Ensure all radio pharmacy delivery cases have been refilled with empty syringe and vial shielding s, and that the cases are closed and identified with empty sign displayed. All delivery cases must be properly positioned to allow safe passage through the room. Performs additional duties as required. Stock necessary supplies for daily availability.
-Follows protocol guidelines including waiting appropriate time following the administration of PET radiopharmaceutical before beginning the imaging procedure and acquiring additional views as necessary to optimize information content as directed by reading physician.

Skills:

Required Skills & Experience:
-Must be able to start peripheral IV access lines.
-Must be able to perform injection procedures including manual unit doses and dose delivery systems (such as Medrad Intego).
-Operating knowledge of personal computers, camera and processing workstations, medical charting systems, PACS and RIS.
-Capable of a flexible work schedule, with possibility of working more than 8-hour days as the schedule requires.
-Must be able to interact with attending, resident and fellow personnel in a professional and ethical manner.
-Must be able to produce high quality special imaging with little supervision.
-Must be able to function effectively in a team-oriented environment including training personnel.
-Must be flexible, reliable and demonstrate sound judgment and initiative.
-Ability to demonstrate competency in all relevant areas.
-Responsible for the following and adhering to SNMMI Quality Standards which includes, but is not limited to: CPR, Infection Control, and Imaging with the association of Anesthesia.
-Must be able to process all PET CT Imaging including Axial Fusion processing and Myeloma Kidney Standard Cut and Coronal Cut.
-Must be able to perform quality insurance on PET cameras for X-ray, PET and monthly constancy.
-Must be able to perform QC on dose calibrators (Intego, AtomLab 500) and wipe counter.

Education:
Required Education:
-Completion of an approved School of Nuclear Medicine Technology Program.

Required Certifications & Licensure:
-Must be registered with the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board - Nuclear Medicine Tech (NMT) or American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) - Nuclear Medicine Technology (N).
-Must possess an active license from the State of New York Department of Health (Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist License Diagnostic with Injection Registered).
-Must possess an active CT certification to perform diagnostic CT and perform PET - CT fusion imaging (ARRT - Computed Tomography (CT)).
-Maintains active Nuclear Medicine, CT licenses and BLS.
-Maintains technical competency through continued education.