Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Under the direction of the Director of Imaging Services or the Radiology Manager, the *Nuclear Medicine Technologist* is responsible for the administration of radioactive isotopes for the purpose of diagnostic imaging and therapy.
The Nuclear Medicine Technologist performs procedures including patient care, quality control, diagnostic procedures, therapy, and radiation safety under the supervision of a Nuclear Medicine physician.
The Nuclear Medicine Technologist must be able to perform procedures with technical proficiency, work independently, and as part of a team for both inpatients and outpatients, which include neonates, pediatrics, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics.
*EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:* * Familiar with Nuclear Medicine Technology policies, procedures, and protocols.
* Familiar with state and federal accreditation standards, mandates, and regulations.
* Knowledgeable and sensitive to HIPAA compliance in the delivery of care.
* Current knowledge and skills appropriate to the patient population demographic *EDUCATION:* * High school graduate or equivalent * Satisfactory completion of a Nuclear Medicine Technology program from an approved medical school *LICENSURES/CERTIFICATION:* * Current State of California Radiologic Technologist license (CRT).
* Current certification as a Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist by (CNMT) or (ARRT).
* Must successfully complete and maintain BLS certification.
* Must successfully complete and maintain LA City Fire Card certification at the time of hire or within the first 30 days of employment.
* Must successfully complete and maintain Annual Ancillary Clinical Care Swank Stroke Education within the first 30 days of employment or transfer.
*MUST HAVES:* * All required licensures, certifications, mandatory education; along with annual occupational health screenings must be completed prior to the expiration date or by the end of the month in which they are due.
* Reference the Educational Requirements: Must Haves, Mandatory and Unit Based policy (in electronic policy management system) for the specific requirements for this position.
*DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES* (These are the essential job functions for this position.
The essential functions of this job include but may not be limited to those listed in this job description.
Employees hired for this position must be able to perform the essential function of this job without imposing significant risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others): PATIENT CARE RESPONSIBILITIES: * Obtains and records initial patient history and establishes procedure priorities according to patient age, condition and procedure to be performed.
* Takes images of specified body areas/parts as ordered by the referring physician, following established procedures and within standard time frames.
* Verifies orders for procedure, consent for procedure, and completes exam appropriately.
* Prepares patients and adjusts equipment for taking images.
Positions and instructs patient.
* Obtains medical history from chart and/or patient pertinent to the procedure requested.
* Ensures appropriate procedure is performed.
Consults with the Radiologist in regard to variations in performing test when unable to follow established protocol.
* Maintains patient safety while performing procedures.
* Properly processes and submits images to physician for interpretation in a timely manner.
* Assists in transporting patients to and from the department when necessary.
* Assesses patient condition and consults with the Nuc Med physician as condition warrants, and confused, critical, or unstable patients are not left alone for any reason.
* Is knowledgeable and skillful in performing procedures and handling patient care needs of neonates, pediatrics, adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients.
Maintains confidentiality regarding patient and work-related issues.
STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES: * Is cooperative and helpful in a clear and courteous manner to co-workers, patients, and visitors.
* Maintains and exhibits a current knowledge of Nuclear Medicine technology and participates in professional continuing education.
* Attends required meetings and inservices.
* Maintains current licensure (CNMT) or (ARRT) and certifications including CPR / BLS certification, LA City fire card and CPI certification.
* Adheres to all departmental and hospital personnel policies including attendance, punctuality, dress code, fire and safety standards and exhibits safe behavior.
* Maintains established department policies, procedures, quality improvement activities, safety, environmental and infection control.
* Has appropriate supplies and equipment readily available.
* Utilizes the appropriate chain of command for resolution of difficult issues.
* Participates in orientation of new staff/students to Imaging Services and Nuclear Medicine Department.
* Is able to demonstrate an understanding of principles of aseptic technique infection control by providing an environment that protects patients and staff from infection and contamination.
* Performs other assigned duties as required.
UNIT RESPONSIBILITY: * Assists in the care and maintenance of facilities, equipment, and supplies.
Keeps work areas clean.
Restocks room and assists in maintaining supply levels.
* Responsible for maintaining equipment in good operating condition and reporting any equipment problems to management.
* Operates equipment according to manufacturer’s recommendations.
* Participates in the unit Continuous Quality Improvement Plan.
* Promotes a positive work environment as evidence by demonstrating a professional, supportive attitude toward the unit staff and being receptive and responsive to new ideas.
* Collaborates by working with others to achieve unit and organizational goals.
* Functions as a resource to visitors, physicians, and staff, greeting them promptly and courteously with eye contact and a pleasant expression and tone of voice.
* Attends and participates in staff meetings and inservices; reads and acts on official information.
*The following job accountabilities are not unique to this particular job but are common to all jobs at VPH:* Complies with VPH policies and procedures on customer satisfaction and service excellence.
Demonstrates professionalism and cultural sensitivity in coordinating activities and communicating with all customers, peers, and the community at large.
Conducts self in a professional, respectful, and courteous manner during all interactions.
Works effectively and collaboratively with others toward common goals.
Communicates accurately, honestly, supportively and in a timely manner with department and interdepartmental team members.
Demonstrates effective business writing and oral communication skills, handwriting is clear and legible.
Participates in operational aspects of the department and maintains/participates in performance improvement activities within the department.
Participates in all departmental specific training, Environment of Care (injury/illness prevention, fire/life safety, hazardous materials, emergency preparedness, utilities management, medical equipment management, safety, and security management), infection control (standard precautions, TB Exposure Control Plan, Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan).
Demonstrates knowledge of and follows safety practices.
Understands the importance of safety, including patient safety in the workplace.
Maintains a safe environment for self and others.
Actively participates in the Patient Safety Program, including event reporting.
Identifies sentinel events/near misses and responds per defined organization processes.
Participates in education activities and process implementation.
Demonstrates advocacy for the patient/customer and appropriately acknowledges patients, customers, and visitors.
The above statements reflect the essential functions considered necessary to describe the principle content of the job.
They are not intended to be a complete statement of all work requirements or duties that may be inherent in the job.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: * Primarily an inside building/office environment, well lighted and ventilated, which may consist of multiple treatment and/or work sites.
* Fast and continuous work pace with variable workload.
* Frequent contact with staff and public under a variety of circumstances.
Requires ability to communicate clearly (in English) verbally and in writing for effective communication with other staff members, physicians, vendors, community members, patients and patient families, employees, and applicants of all socio-economic levels from a diverse cultural and ethnic population.
* Subject to many interruptions from multiple calls and inquiries and potentially emotional situations involving accidents, injuries, illness and/or death.
* Handles emergency/crisis situations in accordance with Hospital policy.
* Answers phones or pages; may carry a beeper/pager, and/or use a two-way radio.
* Occasional travel may be required.
* Potential risk of exposure to hazards from chemicals (toxic and non-toxic), flammable materials, gas or electrical or radiant energy or equipment with/without moving parts.
PATIENT CARE: * Continuous standing/walking and occasional/intermittent sitting.
* Continuous use of bilateral upper extremities in fine motor activities requiring fingering, grasping, and forward reaching between waist and shoulder level to handle/operate medical equipment/devices.
* Frequent reaching above shoulder level and overhead.
* Frequent forward bending, twisting, squatting, and kneeling; occasional climbing.
* Occasional repositioning and transferring patients weighing up to 200 pounds between bed, chair, and gurney.
* Occasional lifting and carrying equipment weighing up to 25 pounds.
* Occasional/intermittent pushing of gurneys, wheelchairs, bed, and other medical equipment over tiled and carpeted surfaces.
* Continuous use of near vision to read medical equipment such as monitoring devices and reading documents and computer screens; hearing and verbal communication to interact with patients, co-workers, and other customers.
Pay: $56.
39 - $75.
45 per hour Medical specialties: * Radiology Schedule: * Evening shift * Weekends as needed Experience: * Nuclear Medicine Technology: 1 year (Preferred) License/Certification: * State of California Radiologic Technologist license (CRT) (Required) * Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist by (CNMT) or (ARRT) (Preferred) Work Location: In person