PET CT Tech

Overview

To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values-integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion - must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.

SUMMARY
Under the supervision of the Nuclear Medicine Manager and/or Chief Technologist, performs a wide variety of technical and professional duties utilizing complex imaging equipment to produce quality images as requested for subsequent interpretation by the nuclear physician. All duties are performed according to departmental and organizational policies and procedures. Promotes service excellence in all interactions as outlined in the Key. Behaviors in the YNHH Core Success Factors. Additionally, the PET CT Tech is expected to work independently in problem solving and be the super user of the PET CT system.
EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran
Responsibilities

1.
Performs high quality General and PET imaging procedures utilizing appropriate age specific standards to obtain the desired diagnostic patient information for the referring physician. Uses technical skill and knowledge of cross section anatomy to perform CT protocols appropriate and efficiently .
1.1
Checks the quality of images in general and is responsible to make technical adjustments or changes in acquisition parameters to produce high quality diagnostic images as observed by supervisor or nuclear physician. Performs IV insertion using aseptic technique and administers IV and Oral contrast media under the direction of a radiologist.
1 .2
Performs advanced quantitative computer analysis on images according to departmental procedures and guidelines. Judges acceptability of results and consults with supervisor or nuclear physician on necessity of repetition as observed by physician and supervisor.
1 .3
Assists and teaches other technical staff to recognize abnormal images and to perform special positioning or additional views when necessary.
1 .4
Receives and positively identifies patients by ID bracelet, examines requisition, and explains procedure to them in order to obtain cooperation and allay anxieties during performance of procedure as observed by peers and supervisor.
1 .5
Always obtains data from patient's chart and/or the patient in order to record any findings that may contribute additional information in the evaluation of test results e.g., pregnancy, surgery, prosthesis, medications, etc. as observed by supervisor or nuclear physician. Continually assesses needs and condition of assigned patients and follows prescribed procedures if a

change is observed.
1 .7

Participates in research. Performs studies according to prescribed protocols to evaluate and standardize new imaging methods, radiopharmaceuticals, computer software and equipment. Completes all paperwork required for research procedure as observed by supervisor, nuclear physician
or peers.
1 .8
Routinely assists fellow technologists and new employees with current and new techniques to ensure accurate results and high quality scans as observed by supervisor. Serves as mentor to new staff and sets a best example.

2. Performs various radiopharmacy duties including receipt, preparation, administration and storage of radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals to ensure safety and integrity of the agents used. Properly recording all duties according to departmental policy. Obtains radionuclides by eluting generator systems or from bulk shipments maintaining sterile technique and shielding. All radioactive materials received are checked for leakage and activity according to departmental procedure as observed by supervisor or radiation safety officer .
2 .1
Prepares the correct type of radiopharmaceutical for the desired scan recording this information in the appropriate log book or Radiopharmaceutical Computer System, according to departmental policy as observed by supervisor, radiation safety officer or peers.
2 .2
Performs quality control of radiopharmaceuticals to ensure radionuclidic purity, radiochemical purity and radiopharmaceutical integrity of agents before administration to patients according to departmental procedure as observed by supervisor, radiation safety officer or as evidenced by the quality of tag on scans.
2 .3
Administers correct radiopharmaceutical and dose to patient via the prescribed route either intravenously, orally, or by inhalation as observed by supervisor, nuclear physician or as evidenced by the scan quality.
2 .4
Performs daily surveys of all radiation areas and decontaminates if necessary according to departmental procedure. Notifies supervisor of any contaminations and records all findings according to departmental policy as observed by supervisor, radiation safety officer or peers.
2 .5
Stores and disposes of radioactive materials in accordance with departmental, hospital and federal regulations as observed by supervisor, radiation safety officer and other hospital personnel . Properly recording the disposal of radioactive materials according to departmental policy.
2 .6
Records all information regarding receipt, quality control, administration, and disposal of radioactive materials in the appropriate log books or Nuclear Medicine Radiopharmaceutical Computer System, according to departmental protocol as observed by supervisor, radiation safety officer and peers.
2 .7
Performs quality control procedures to ensure optimal performance of gamma cameras, computers and other related auxiliary equipment (dose calibrators, well counters, etc.)
3.
Performs daily, weekly, and monthly quality control on all instrumentation including uniformity checks, linearity, center of rotation and other indicated tests according to departmental procedure to ensure all equipment is in proper working order as observed by supervisor or peers.
3 .1
Performs calibration procedures on dose calibrator, probes, centrifuges, and well counters according to departmental procedure as observed by supervisor or radiation safety officer .
3 .2
Reports all abnormal quality control tests to supervisor immediately and initiates corrective action if needed as observed by supervisor.
3 .3
Initiates service calls to address QC failures or nonfunctioning equipment and communicates these service issues with the coordinator.
3 .4
Practices safe handling of radioactive materials according to departmental and federal regulations to ensure minimal radiation exposure to self and others.

4.1.
Follows ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) guidelines for radiation exposure including use of syringe shields and lead carrying cases as observed by supervisor and peers and as evidenced by monthly film badge reports.

4.2 Always practices safe handling of radioactive materials to minimize exposure to self and coworkers as observed by supervisor and peers.

4 .3 Wears film badges and lab coat at all times in radiation areas as observed by supervisor.

5. Performs job-related tasks in a timely manner as needed to ensure the goals of the department are met. Schedules patients for procedures using Imagecast computer system and tracks assigned patients' arrival and completion status as observed by supervisor.

5 .1
As necessary correctly edits and completes the exam codes in Imagecast to reflect the procedure performed for accurate billing and medical record documentation.
5 .2
Checks requisitions, questionnaires and medication reconciliation forms to make sure the information corresponds to the exam being performed and notifies physician or supervisor of any discrepancies.
5 .3
Maintains a Clean and Safe work environment and checks daily that exam rooms are properly supplied, equipped and operational before each exam as observed by supervisor.

5 .4 Notifies supervisor when supplies are low as observed by supervisor and peers.
Maintains accurate patient exam records ( PACS and computer database) according to departmental procedures as observed by supervisor.
5 .5
Demonstrates commitment to coworkers, department and hospital through general standards of professional conduct to facilitate the efficient and smooth operation of the department .

6.0 Recognizes and performs duties which need to be done such as offering assistance to others when own assignments are completed or checking with supervisor for an assignment as observed by supervisor.

6.1
When requested, employee is willing to work overtime or to adjust personal schedule to accommodate the unanticipated needs of the department as noted by supervisor.
6 .2
Accepts on?call responsibilities when scheduled and maintains availability as observed by supervisor or other hospital personnel involved.

6.3 Enhances professional growth and development through educational programs, current literature,workshops and conferences as evidenced by attendance to such and communication of new job related information to staff.. Attends in-service and staff meetings as observed by supervisor. Contributes to the clinical teaching of nuclear medicine students, new employees, residents, fellows and visiting professionals as observed by supervisor.
6.4
Evaluates and oversees the work of student technologists as observed by supervisor or student coordinator.

6.5. Wears hospital ID badge at all times
To enhance the patient experience in Diagnostic radiology all staff will be responsible to achieve patient satisfaction scores set by the department on the Test & Treatment section of our Press Ganey Survey

7. Staff will present themselves in a friendly and courteous manner ; Staff will identify themselves and
their role while encouraging a Patient and Family Center experience.
7.1 Staff will fully explain procedure and ask if the patient has any additional questions about the
procedure.
7.2 Staff will address any comfort issues a patient may have prior to starting procedure .
7.3 Staff will thank patient once procedure is completed and ask the patient if they have any additional
questions.
7.4 Staff must meet the above goals and fiscal year threshold value , which was last fiscal year actual for a 2 rating on review.
7.5 Staff must meet the above goals and exceed fiscal year threshold value by .2 for a 3 rating on
review.
7.6 Staff must meet the above goals and exceed fiscal year threshold value by .4 for a 4 rating on review.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

Graduation from an A.M.A. approved program in Nuclear Medicine and Radiological Technology Program. AS degree required, BS degree preferred.

EXPERIENCE

Demonstrate technical skills to meet entry level standards of routine CT imaging and One (1) to two (2) years of experience in Nuclear Medicine.

LICENSURE

NMTCB or ARRT (N) certification in Nuclear Medicine Technology or ARRT(R) certified by the American Registry of Radiological Technologist and Connecticut State License. CPR Required.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift

Work Location: One location