Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Nuclear Medicine Technologist

How would you like to work in a place where your contributions and ideas are valued? A place where you can serve with compassion, pursue excellence, and honor every voice? At Wellstar, our mission is simple, yet powerful: to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve. We are proud to have become a shining example of what's possible when the brightest professionals dedicate themselves to making a difference in the healthcare industry and in people's lives.

Job Description

• The Nuclear Medicine technologist assists with providing safe, age-appropriate care to the patient by performing all exams provided by the department per department procedures.
• The technologist has the knowledge and ability to properly and safely obtain a quality diagnostic study.
• He/she is responsible for performing a wide variety of technical procedures requiring independent judgment, ingenuity, and initiative in the utilization of the equipment for the diagnosis and/or treatment of diseases.
• The technologist can independently perform job functions.
• He/she sets up the equipment to provide imaging service and positions patients for the procedure.
• The lead NM tech will function as the department leader in the absence of other Imaging leadership.

What You Will Do

Leadership

• Maintains modality workflow to assure patient throughput that maximizes equipment utilization and meets patients' expectations regarding wait time and thoroughness of exam.
• Provides feedback on employee performance management by communicating employee performance concerns to Chief Tech.
• Manages department productivity adhering to operational standards.
• Works with Chief Tech on new protocol implementation.
• Assures that adequate supplies are available in the modality.
• Attends and productively participates in Lead Meetings and department meetings.
• Serves as an advocate for the Imaging Department and is a liaison for other hospital departments.
• Serves as the first level of contact for employee concerns.
• Participates, maintains, and conducts Process Improvement (PI) in the department.
• Assists in the hiring process of new personnel and ensures appropriate onboarding efforts to validate competency assessments and departmental orientation.
• Participates in the competency process for NM technologists on an annual basis.
• Assures that the NM department is continuously survey-ready.

Equipment

• Demonstrates the ability to adjust technique so that the patient receives the best study possible and that image quality is maintained.
• Reports problems regarding malfunctioning equipment to supervisor or service provider so that problems can be corrected in a timely manner.
• Cleans, disinfects, and maintains equipment in accordance with infection control policy and department cleaning schedule.

Patient Care

• Verifies proper clinician order for procedure.
• Obtains complete clinical history, gathers examination data, and assesses for contraindicating conditions.
• Follows established procedures for the administration of radiopharmaceuticals so that no patient condition deteriorates, and no patient suffers undue pain due to error or poor technique.
• Ensures that all studies have proper patient identification and right and left markers utilized appropriately.
• Reviews images for clinically acceptable results and releases patients.
• Responds to emergency situations and provides for the restocking of the crash cart and maintenance of life support equipment.
• Assists other technologists in all modalities when needed.
• Observes patient condition and properly evaluates situations when physician intervention is necessary so that no patient condition deteriorates.
• Verifies correct identity of patient using two unique identifiers prior to performing a procedure per hospital policy and procedure.
• Ensures patient's privacy and comfort is accommodated.
• Maintains patient's dignity throughout the exam/procedure.
• Demonstrates competence in the determination and application of appropriate procedures, equipment, supplies, and techniques based on the age of patients.
• Organizes schedule, time, and priorities so that required activities are accomplished within designated time frames.
• Follows physician's instructions when assisting with procedures and exams.
• Uses critical thinking skills.
• Dialogues with patient/family.
• Asks clarifying questions.
• Seeks clarification on ambiguous orders.
• Understands, demonstrates, and documents pre-procedural verification and Time Out process when appropriate.
• Demonstrates and understands pre-and post-procedural care.
• Preps the patient for the procedure.
• Demonstrates and understands sterile technique.
• Maintains competency with venipuncture.

Education and Communication

• Patiently and clearly explains purpose and nature of exam to patient prior to starting of procedure, to minimize anxiety and facilitate cooperation using AIDET: Acknowledge, Introduce, Discuss, Explain, and Thank you of all patients and family members.
• Ensures that patient's questions, concerns, or contraindications are satisfactorily addressed, notifying physician when this cannot be accomplished prior to the initiation of the procedure.
• Participates in the orientation and training of departmental employees.
• Required documentation is concise, legible, and includes precise terminology.
• Reads email each day scheduled to work and follows through with assignments.
• Completes mandatory departmental and hospital-wide education without prompting.

Quality Control

• Consistently produces acceptable images, as evidenced by radiologist feedback and quality audits.
• Ensures that equipment is fully operational prior to each use by checking for proper calibration and operating deficiencies.
• Sends all studies to PACS immediately after completion, prints CDs as needed.
• Studies that have been transmitted after hours to teleradiography are printed and scanned in PACS if applicable.
• Completes all studies in RIS before completing in PACS.
• Prints completed log sheet from teleradiography and submits to Radiologist if applicable.

Operations

• Restocks linens and supplies, and maintains NM department in clean and orderly condition.
• Transports patients, positions patients, and helps them on and off procedure table.
• Performs patient charging activities on the day the service is rendered.
• Applies supportive and immobilization devices and equipment.
• Willingly lends knowledge and assistance to others upon request as needed and routinely as time is available without prompting so that all working time is used for departmental advantage.
• Performs routine duties of clerical and support personnel in accordance with procedure when warranted to ensure continuity and quality of services.
• Keeps supervisor informed on all responsibilities on an ongoing basis, ensuring prompt notification in the event of problems or potential problems.
• Maintains an individual productivity rate equal to other co-workers.
• Ability to operate NM equipment within the department.
• Maintains Joint Commission standards and any other regulatory agency standards.
• Any other duties as assigned.
• Takes call when necessary.

Qualifications

• Accredited Program Radiologic Technology Required
• Bachelor's Health Science Preferred or Bachelor's Other Preferred
• Minimum 3 years Nuclear Medicine Required
• CNMT - Certified Nuclear Med Tech
• ARRT-N - ARRT Nuclear Technology
• BLS - Basic Life Support
• ARC-BLS - American Red Cross Basic Life Support
• BLS-I - Basic Life Support - Instructor

Our people are passionate about what they do, the product they sell, and the customers they serve. If you're looking for an opportunity to be part of a work family that values collaboration, innovation, and dedication, we're the right company for you.

Join us and discover the support to do more meaningful work—and enjoy a more rewarding life. Connect with the most integrated health system in Georgia, and start a future that gives you more.