Imaging Tech

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

General:

• Positions patients and sets technical factors for all diagnostic procedures. Sets high personal standards for film and image quality.
• Follows department exam protocols.
• Independently recognizes and performs duties which need to be done without being directly assigned. Establishes priorities; organizes work and time to meet them. Uses time effectively and constructively. Does not abuse supplies, equipment, and service.
• Completes all ordered exams as per department protocol - documents why exam is not completed per protocol.
• Modifies patient protocols negative to the patient, physical and cognitive abilities. Discuss these issues with the Radiologist and properly document patient information.
• Greets patients by confirming patient identification; reviewing imaging request; checking for special instructions; confirming anticipated service with patients.
• Ensures all exams are accurately labeled with patient ID, date, technologist ID and time of exam.
• Follows hospital policies to reduce risk of wrong-site, wrong patient, and wrong procedure occurrences.
• Ensures compliance with HFAP/TJC/local regulatory/CMS, State and Federal regulations.
• Maintains medical and surgical aseptic procedures. Adheres to proper infection control guidelines, including but not limited to standard and transmission-based precautions.
• Able to assess pain interfering with imaging procedure- makes appropriate physician contact for intervention.
• Understands Process Improvement (PI) process and participates in new and on-going PI activities.
• Maintains neat & clean workplace appropriate to hospital standards.
• Work pace is consistent with the standards of other workers. Able to assist Radiologist with therapeutic procedures by having all supplies and techniques ready.
• Informs and educates patients and families regarding procedure to be performed.
• Reduces risk of health care acquired infections through proper hand washing and equipment disinfecting.
• Documents all medication reactions/infiltrations on appropriate form.
• Works to improve effectiveness of communication among caregivers.
• Plans and assigns the work in an efficient manner based on department guideline.
• Conducts job-specific orientation and on-the-job training for department employees.
• Assists in implementing Departmental Performance Improvement Program and Organizes PI documents and produces them on demand.
• Deals with complaints in a professional and efficient manner and reports them to Department Director as soon as possible.
• Properly verifies all studies for accuracy and quality in the PACS system prior to Radiologist interpretation.
• Demonstrates safe / careful use of all equipment. Reports all equipment malfunctions and call for service immediately using department protocol.
• Attends scheduled in-service and mandatory in-service. Communicates ideas to supervisor for a safer layout of equipment, tools, and/or processes.
• Maintains all appropriate licensure and CEU requirements per all governing regulations and department policy.
• Demonstrates courteous and appropriate telephone skills.
• Adheres to attendance and punctuality requirements per hospital policy. Provides proper notification for absences and tardiness. Takes corrective action to prevent recurring absences or tardiness.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Radiography:

• Sets technical factors accurately to minimize patient dose. Utilizes Radiation Safety Techniques while performing radiographic procedures and properly shields patients when appropriate. Follows all radiation safety standards for patients, employees & family members. Consistently determines pregnancy status of women of childbearing age, before performing exam.
• Wears radiation (dosimetry) badge as per protocol.
• Uses personal protective equipment appropriately.
• Performs radiographic exams at the bedside and in the operating rooms providing diagnostic x- rays to the surgeons and professional staff on patients that are unable to be x-rayed in the Radiology Service due to incapacity or surgical procedures upon request, operates the fluoro unit in the Operating Room.

Mammography:

• Oversees all regulatory compliance issues as it is defined by the FDA and ACR.
• Demonstrates high-level knowledge of established protocols and equipment operation when performing quality control testing.
• Coordinates activities/tasks to maintain compliance and accreditation with the Mammography Quality.
• Organizes and facilitates all annual Inspections and documentation required by MQSA or ACR.
• Works closely with the Mammography Technologists, Physicians, RNs, Physicists and Field Service Engineers to ensure the department operates within compliance of MQSA regulations.
• Provides instruction and feedback to technologists.

CT:

• Sets technical factors accurately to minimize patient dose. Utilizes Radiation Safety Techniques while performing radiographic procedures and properly shields patients when appropriate. Follows all radiation safety standards for patients, employees & family members. Consistently determines pregnancy status of women of childbearing age, before performing exam.
• Wears radiation (dosimetry) badge as per protocol.
• Operates CT equipment to obtain diagnostic images and information according to departmental protocol. In doing so, ensures the patient is properly prepared, positioned, and immobilized. Selects proper imaging factors, and images the designated portion(s) of the body.
• Checks calibration and verifies the proper operation of all equipment to be used during the workday. Notifies appropriate personnel of equipment malfunctions and repairs needed.
• Proficient in performing IV insertion for contrast injection.

MRI:

• Operates MRI equipment to obtain diagnostic images and information according to departmental protocol. In doing so, ensures the patient is properly screened, prepared, positioned, and immobilized. Selects proper imaging factors, and images the designated portion(s) of the body.
• Operates MRI equipment to obtain diagnostic images and information according to departmental protocol. In doing so, ensures the patient is properly screened, prepared, positioned, and immobilized. Selects proper imaging factors, and images the designated portion(s) of the body.
• Screens patient for contraindications i.e., Cardiac pacemaker, aneurysm clips, stapedectomy and eye surgery. Checks labs when appropriate for contraindications to Gadolium contrast agents.
• Checks calibration and verifies the proper operation of all equipment to be used during the workday. Notifies appropriate personnel of equipment malfunctions and repairs needed.
• Aware of potential hazards within the MRI unit (metal objects, unscreened personnel and patients, universal precautions, etc.) and adhere to safety standards established by the hospital and regulatory agencies.
• Proficient in performing IV insertion for contrast injection.

Essential Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities Required for the Position

Education, Experience, Training

• Graduate of a program accredited by JRCERT.
• ARRT (R) and ARRT (CT), or ARRT (M), or ARRT (MR) is required.
• Must be registered, proficient, and able to work unsupervised in 2 modalities.
• Current applicable state licenses are required.
• BLS/CPR certification required within one week of hire. AHA & ARC accepted.

Skills/Abilities/Competencies Required

Skills:

• Able to demonstrate adequate technical skills and judgment to function unsupervised during on-call, second shift, and weekend hours.
• Must have adequate interpersonal skills to interact effectively with patients who may be under physical and/or emotional stress.
• Must possess analytical abilities necessary to acquire and effectively utilize knowledge of imaging processes, techniques and procedures.
• Ability to adapt to changing pace within the department, frequent interruptions.
• Present a positive attitude and a professional appearance.
• Comprehensive understanding of computer operations relating to patient information and management (CPSI, PAC's etc.).
• Willingness to adapt to diverse roles as a member of the department team.
• Must be aware of hazards with the department (ionizing radiation, universal precautions, etc.) and adhere to safety standard established by the hospital and regulatory agencies.
• Ability to relay information concisely to department Director, radiologist, staff, patients and other hospital personnel.

Ability to:

• Ability to perform essential job duties.

Working Conditions

• Duties include patient care responsibilities with subsequent exposure to human waste and similar unpleasant elements.
• Failure to follow established procedures and safety practices could result in exposure to radioactivity.
• Subject to frequent stressful situations.
• Lifting and transferring patients from table to stretcher.
• Periodic exposure to poor lighting.

Special Requirements

• Regular workweek in which additional hours are often required.
• Flexibility of work schedule (i.e. hours/days)
• Position requires frequent on-call work.
• Must be available to work in the case of a Hospital declared emergency.