Nuclear Medicine Tech - Day - 40 hrs

Job Summary

Under direct and indirect supervision, assists nuclear medicine physician in performance and evaluation of clinical procedures in the Nuclear Medicine service area.

Essential Responsibilities

• Performs Nuclear Medicine procedures and radiopharmaceutical therapy. Positions patients and provides immobilization means and patient counseling as required. Selects protocols that result in optimum imaging for each individual patient. Reviews orders with peers and consults with attending Radiologists and Registered Nurses as needed. Schedules patient studies as required. Ensures correct study is scheduled and interacts with appropriate reception, department or hospital staff to effect proper and timely arrangements. Maintains daily records of exams performed.
• Follows all National Patient Safety Goals. Receives and double identifies patients using appropriate criteria prior to performing the study ordered. Ensures accruacy of information and data entry, while maintaining patient privacy and confidentiality. Captures required documentation in Radiology Information System (RIS.) Screens patients for contraindications.
• Performs appropriate receipt surveys of radioactive materials. Verifies orders are correct. Logs receipt information appropriately. Stores materials consistent with safety regulations. Confirms integrity of radiopharmaceutical. Prepares kit products and performs blood/radiopharmeceutical compounding in accordance with accepted techniques and official standards. Records utilization of all radioactive materials appropriately. Calculates and labels patient doses accordingly.
• Administers radiopharmaceutical dose by prescribed route (intravenously, orally or by inhalation). Prepares floor stock medications.
• Assists licensed physician in therapeutic application of radionuclides. Assures correct radiopharmaceutical is prepared in prescribed dosage. Obtains verification by licensed physician. Maintains radiation safety procedures during preparation and administration of dosage. Assists physician in supplying proper radiation safety instructions to patient, patients family and hospital staff. Assists physician and/or Radiation Safety Officer in conducting radiation surveys of designated areas.
• Performs data processing and data analysis. Uses necessary data manipulations to achieve desired end product of imaging procedure. Following physician approved protocols. Prepares images for Radiologist interpretation, and transmitts images to the Diagnostic Imaging PACS system.
• Maintains working knowledge of all department equipment and devices. Reports equipment malfunctions appropriately.
• Assumes responsibilities for the needs of patient during procedure. Provides service-oriented communication with patient. explaining procedure. answering questions. Emphasizes a personalized, individualized, compassionate patient care atmosphere at all times. Dismisses patients for transport and/or assists with patient transport at end of procedure.
• Provides instructions on appropriate safety measures to patients, family members, and hospital staff as required. Ensures appropriate safety precautions are followed. Applies appropriate measures (ALARA Principles) for minimizing radiation exposure. Captures and records radiopharmaceutical dose delivered during the procedure.
• Functions as part of resuscitation team during Code Blue and/or Rapid Response Team situations.
• Maintains all materials needed and linen supply on daily basis. Maintains general order and cleanliness of room assigned.
• Rotates and shares on call responsibilites for Nuclear Medicine.
• Pursues ongoing continuing education.
• Attends departmental meetings and/or inservice presentations as needed or required. Reads and initials minutes of such meetings when excused absence precludes attendance.
• Manages bio-hazardous and radioactive waste. disposes waste as required and maintains appropriate documentation.
• Complies with radiation protection policies of institution, local, state and federal agencies. Uses personal monitoring devices appropriately. Uses proper shielding techniques to reduce radiation exposure. Performs surveys at regular intervals to determine radiation or contamination in work area. Performs decontamination procedures in appropriate manner. Identifies and stores contaminated material in accordance with regulations. Maintains appropriate documentation of these actions. Consults with Radiation Safety Officer as needed.