Description

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.

Responsibilities

1. 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.

2. Cooperates with facility healthcare professionals and complies with facility policies/procedures.

3. Complies with all safety policies and regulations including radiation safety.

4. 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.

5. Ensures that any pre-procedural preparation has been completed (e.g., fasting, diet, hydration, glucose levels, voiding, and suspension of interfering medications).

6. Ensures that informed consent has been obtained, as prescribed by the institution, whenever necessary.

7. Maintains and posts current Permits to Practice

8. 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.

9. Maintains patient care, comfort and safety in the technologist's role as caretaker. 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.

10. 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.

11. Performs equipment quality checks and troubleshoots problems; places service calls and notifies all pertinent staff members of issues.

12. Documents all radiopharmaceutical doses in required places (NMIS and Siemens system) and provides patients with Dose Exposure Card.

13. Maintains a clean and uncluttered environment.

14. Transfers and archives studies to PACS, MIM systems and SMS clinical server (Syngo).

15. Provides images to the reading room in accordance with Division Standards of Practice and Protocols.

16. Assists in notifying staff ordering supplies of materials needed.

17. Completes necessary administrative tasks.

18. Follows quality assurance and HIPAA guidelines and maintains patient confidentiality.

19. Reports to the assigned PET area promptly at the start of the shift.

20. Performs the required QA and documentation.

21. 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.

22. Performs wipe tests of delivered radioactive materials in accordance with Radiation Safety Policy and Division Standards of Practice and Protocols. Ensure all radiopharmacy delivery cases have been refilled with empty syringe and vial shieldings, 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.

23. Performs additional duties as required.

24. Stock necessary supplies for daily availability.

25. Opens / prepares injection rooms to receive incoming patients. Turns on the heaters.

26. Secures facility at end of day including making sure all heaters are turned off.

27. Ensures contrast injector, patient monitoring devices and anesthesia equipment will not compromise safe and accurate camera usage, procedure acquisition, and patient care. Positions patients for scans to accommodate anesthesia equipment, access lines and tubes during acquisition.

28. 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.

29. Employs radiation safety and aseptic techniques for handling and administration of radiopharmaceuticals. Selecting and preparing radiopharmaceuticals in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications and Division protocol guidelines. Appropriately selecting and labeling the radiopharmaceutical dose for administration. Checking the dose and activity prior to administration in a dose calibrator and comparing this measurement against the shipment documentation.

30. Administration / preparing of IV and oral contrast for CT procedures associated with PET scans

31. Checking CT screening forms for iodine allergic reaction.

Qualifications

• Completion of an approved School of Nuclear Medicine Technology Program required.
• Must be registered with the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board or American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) (N) and obtain certification within time frame established at time of employment while working with DOH temporary certificate.
• Must possess an active license from the State of New York Department of Health to practice where applicable.
• Must possess an active CT certification to perform diagnostic CT and perform PET - CT fusion imaging.
• Must have CT contrast certification from New York State which also requires BCLS.
• Maintains active Nuclear Medicine, CT licenses and BCLS.
• Maintains technical competency through continued education.
• Appropriate years as PET/CT Technologist
• Maintains technical competency through continuing education.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $64.32 - $67.43 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person