Position Summary:
Nuclear Medicine Technologists have responsibility for providing a wide range of specialized nuclear medicine procedures: diagnostic imaging, therapy with unsealed radioactive materials, radio assay, in-vivo/in-vitro cell labeling, evaluating abnormal results, using and maintaining equipment, setting up and monitoring quality control. Work within guidelines from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, National Health Physics Program, Occupational Safety and Health Association, and among others.
Key Responsibilities:
- Understand and be able to perform exposure rate calculations. Ability to document excessive radiation exposure in the working environment.
- Instruct Nuclear Medicine students, Radiology students, new technologists, residents, and others on techniques, procedures and equipment use, etc.
- Evaluate the validity of data in relation to results needed and determine if additional information is needed or to establish a definite diagnosis and confers with physicians. Identify positive results and notify the Nuclear Medicine Physician immediately.
- Evaluate study for technical abnormalities and take the proper steps to correct the problem.
- Perform daily laboratory surveys, wipe tests and bio-assays. Recognize evidence of contamination and act accordingly to maintain ALARA principles.
- Move wheelchair and litter patients safely.
- Correctly administer radioactive pharmaceuticals to patients.
- Analyze procedure images for quality.
- Obtain pertinent clinical data from the patient, electronic chart, requisition, and interviewing the patient and/or family.
- Receive patients, explain procedure, answer questions relating to the procedure, and position patient for all necessary views.
- Calibrate thyroid uptake system, gamma cameras, dose calibrators and well counter. Adjust and maintain instruments.
- Participate in research projects involving Nuclear Medicine studies, products, equipment and/or radiopharmaceuticals.
- Operate nuclear medicine equipment such as gamma cameras, well counters, GM survey meters, thyroid uptake system, and dose calibrators for various patient procedures.
- Recognize potential radiation contamination by visual and mechanical methods.
- Knowledgeable regarding possible side effects of radiopharmaceuticals and other medications. Take immediate action to remedy any noted effects.
- Keep up to date with new imaging agents, procedures and methods.
- Prepare, assay, and administer radiopharmaceutical doses by injection, inhalation or ingestion as prescribed.
- Proficient in introducing intravenous catheters in patients for administration of radiopharmaceuticals and/or medications.
- Maintain a neat and clean work area. Ensure that imaging are properly supplied/stocked and operation before each use.
- Perform a full range of nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging, non-imaging, invitro and therapeutic procedures, including highly specialized computer assisted studies such as gated, tomographic, quantitative procedures including SPECT/CT.
- Assures that all Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Safety, NHPP, and NRC policies are effectively followed.
- Knowledge of the medical sciences.
Required Education & Experience:
- Ability to produce and assess high quality fusion and quality control images.
- Knowledge of physiologic processes.
- Train others to perform basic PET with CT and/or MR functions.
- Develop and review guidelines for the use of high energy PET radiopharmaceuticals.
- Develop new PET/CT examinations.
- Troubleshoot computer malfunctions.
- Ability to communicate orally and in writing post iodine-131 therapy radiation safety precautions.
- NMT keeps the Nuclear Medicine Physicians and the Nuclear Medicine lead and/or Chief NMT informed of progress, potentially controversial matters, or far-reaching implications.
- Knowledge of CT and/or MR radiographic techniques utilized in quality control and acquisition parameters.
- Ability to produce and assess high quality fusion and quality control images using independent judgement to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results.
- Ability to recognize and correct fusion imaging system errors.
- Knowledge of medical events.
- Knowledge of physiologic processes as they relate to altered radiopharmaceutical uptake and/or artefactual findings.
- Perform complex PET/CT examinations and reconstructions.
- Ability to analyze instances of increased radiation exposure levels and recommend measures to reduce.
- Practical knowledge and skill in the use of ancillary equipment with an understanding of how the results will affect the study outcome.
- Knowledge of CT and/or MR radiographic techniques.