Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Overview

Part time, unbenefited position working 32 hours per two-week pay period. Days of work are Tuesday and Thursday. Hours of work are 6:00am - 2:30pm. No nights, weekends, holidays, or call.

Provides health care services applying radionuclides to assist in diagnosis or treatment. Performs nuclear medicine procedures, and related techniques producing images for the interpretation by, or at the request of a licensed practitioner. Exercises professional judgement in performance of services and maintains a demeanor complementary to medical ethics. Provides appropriate patient care and recognizes patient conditions essential for successful completion of the procedure.

Responsibilities

• Performs diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
• Corroborates patient's clinical history with procedure, assuring information is documented and available for use by a licensed practitioner.
• Prepares patient for procedures; providing instructions to obtain desired results, gain cooperation, and minimize anxiety.
• In agreement with state statue(s) and/or where institutional policy permits, prepares, calculates, identifies and/or administers radiopharmaceuticals and/or medications as prescribed by a licensed practitioner.
• Selects and operates radiation detection, imaging, and/or associated equipment to successfully perform procedures.
• Positions patient and equipment to best demonstrate the anatomic area of interest, respecting patient ability and comfort.
• Applies principles of radiation protection to minimize exposure to patient, self and others.
• Evaluates images and data for technical quality, assuring proper identification is recorded.
• Verifies informed consent for and assists a licensed practitioner with interventional procedures.
• Practices aseptic technique as necessary.
• Assumes responsibility for provision of physical and psychological needs of patients during procedures.
• Understands methods and is capable of performing venipunctures.
• Initiates basic life support action when necessary.
• Provides patient education.
• Assists in maintaining records, respecting confidentiality and established policy.
• Assumes responsibility for assigned area and reports equipment malfunction.
• Provides input for equipment purchase and supply decisions.
• Provides practical instruction for students and/or other health care professionals.
• Participates in the department's quality assessment and improvement plan. May be responsible for specific quality control duties in the assigned area.
• May be responsible for the control of inventory and purchase of supplies for the assigned area.
• Maintains knowledge of and observes Standard precautions.
• Understands and applies patient relations skills.
• Pursues appropriate continuing education.

Compendium of Learning

• Computer Literacy and Applications: An understanding of generic terminology, keyboard operation, menu selection strategies, and logistics of program flow.
  
• Human Structure and Function: General anatomy, anatomical relationships, organ and system functions in order to perform accurate radiographic examination for the defined discipline and recognize the area of interest on desired images.
  
• Instrumentation: An understanding of the operation of devices, radiation detectors, laboratory instruments, and equipment.
  
• In Vitro Procedures: Knowledge of the methodology and hazards of working with toxic chemicals, radionuclides, the principles of saturation analysis, radiological procedures, and competitive protein binding.
  
• In Vivo Procedures: The art of producing diagnostic images, system function studies, body composition test, erythrokinetic studies, and gastrointestinal substance studies.
  
• Medical Ethics: Legal considerations which impact upon the scope of practice, respecting an established code of ethics and risk management.
  
• Medical Terminology: An understanding of disease descriptions, abbreviations, symbols, terms or phrases necessary to successfully communicate with other health care professionals.
  
• Pathology: Knowledge of disease and abnormalities which influence performance or outcome of a radiographic procedure.
  
• Patient Care: Attention and concern for the physical and psychological needs of the patient. The individuals should recognize a life threatening condition and implement basic life sustaining actions.
  
• Positioning: Accurate placement of the body, respecting patient's comfort, ability, and safety to achieve prescribed results and best demonstrate the anatomy of interest. Utilize techniques to physically manipulate and apply radiographic equipment to produce various projections and/or desired image.
  
• Physical Science: A knowledge of the composition and stability of radiopharmaceuticals, modes of radioactive decay, and an understanding of radiation detection methods.
  
• Quality Control: Preventive maintenance and knowledge of equipment capabilities, calibration of and care for radioactive materials or equipment respecting operating standards, sensitometry characteristics, and monitoring of image processing systems for accuracy and consistency.
  
• Radiobiology and Protection: Administration of radioactive materials to reduce exposure to the patient and personnel, the techniques of measuring levels of radioactive materials, the effects of radiation exposure, established safety protocols, emergency procedures for radionuclide spills and knowledge of applicable government regulations to minimize radiation exposure.
  
• Radiopharmaceuticals: An understanding of radiopharmaceutical quality control; radionuclide production; the formulation of radiopharmaceuticals; and the mechanism of localization, alterations and normal distribution of each within the body.
  
• Therapy: An understanding of the therapeutic applications of radionuclides, as well as special problems encountered in patient handling and care.
  

Qualifications

Graduate of an accredited radiography or nuclear medicine program. Certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in nuclear medicine (N) or or by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB), and licensure through the State of North Dakota Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (NDMIRT) Board is required.