Nuclear Medicine Technologist II - Imaging Core

Job Description

The Imaging Core is seeking a Nuclear Medicine Technologist II to join the team!

The Imaging Core of the Biomedical Imaging Research Institute is an advanced imaging center that provides comprehensive imaging services for the basic and clinical research community at Cedars-Sinai. Designed for human and animal research subjects, this state-of-the-art imaging facility exists to support researchers addressing important questions in cardiovascular diseases, cancer, neuroscience, regenerative medicine and more.

The Core is your resource for cutting-edge clinical and preclinical imaging research. Our facility offers technical infrastructure and essential expertise for the Cedars-Sinai and extended community. We will help achieve your research goals by providing high quality instrumentation/service and access to advanced, novel imaging techniques developed in-house by our leading imaging scientists. To learn more, please visit Imaging Core | Cedars-Sinai.

Are you ready to be a part of breakthrough research?

The Nuclear Medicine Technologist II is at an intermediate level that performs Nuclear Medicine studies from basic to somewhat complex protocols and therapies. Perform exams relative to patient population. Procures, prepares, administers radiopharmaceuticals and adjunctive medications in accordance with the Nuclear Medicine Technologist Scope of Practice. Always ensures medication security. Exercises cultural competency in providing patient education. Responsible for maintaining a radiation and patient safe environment and identifying and reporting any safety concerns.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Consistently rotates into clinical and/or cardiac sections of the department and performs Nuclear Medicine/therapy, Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and Computed Tomography (CT) exams on gamma, hybrid, and portable scanners utilizing approved procedures and protocols per standards of practice for efficiency, organization, precision and accuracy based upon the department's accrediting agency and/or department guidelines for exam protocols. Under the supervision of the Authorized User, performs radionuclide therapy.
• Per the Nuclear Medicine technologist's scope of practice and in accordance with institutional and departmental policies and procedures, receives and transcribes verbal orders from licensed independent practitioners.
• Reviews all Nuclear Medicine/therapy, PET and CT images and monitors for accuracy and prepares/sends images to designated viewing systems. Performs section specific imaging QC using established technical factors and image identification.
• Maintains room supply inventory to meet procedure requirements. Maintains crash cart as needed.
• May assist physicians performing procedures and ensures all supplies and/or devices are prepared and available in accordance with sterile technique and infection control policies and practices. Adheres to all sterilization protocols.
• Adheres to radiation and medication management delivery, storage, security, and disposal guidelines. Follows and understands Nuclear Medicine safety policies, guidelines and protocols.
• Performs venipuncture. Prepares and administers radiopharmaceuticals/medications to include imaging and adjunctive medications and follows hospital guidelines in the handling of radioactive/non-radioactive medications to comply with all medication and radiation safety requirements.
• Inputs accurate and timely documentation in all applicable electronic medical records systems, workbooks and or logs. Responsible for begin and/or end of shift duties as applicable to shift assignment.
• Operates, calibrates and maintains imaging equipment and accessory instruments used in exams. Recognizes and reports defective equipment immediately and marks equipment as "out of service". Participates in obtaining service for down equipment.
• Maintains the section workflow without jeopardizing patient care, and may provide backup leadership as the technologist in charge in the absence of the Team Leader.
• Serves as a preceptor for peers, students and other staff members.
• Prepares and/or presents educational material to staff, such as case reviews, in-services, safety, and Joint Commission related topics.
• Participates in performance improvement activities and other department/organizational committees, such as The Joint Commission, safety audits, turn around time (TAT) projects, and customer service. Expected to assist in maintaining records associated with IAC accreditation.
• Provides patient and family education, specific to age and demographic population as appropriate.

Department-Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs routine and specialized duties related to PET/MRI imaging of patients and research subjects (human and porcine) according to standard and research protocols and SOP ' s. Ability to manipulate scan parameters based on clinical findings, and/or radiologist supervisor request.
• Plans, coordinates, prepares and performs all quality control for the hot labs under supervision of the health physicist to include daily constancy, expanded constancy, quarterly linearity, annual accuracy, geometry after installation or relocation, well counter weekly wipes and monthly reports.
• Possesses detailed understanding of MR physics and MR image quality after obtaining the license.
• Maintains receipt of radioisotope records for all clinical and research scans.
• Maintain RAM log for all received doses and electronic records for hot lab.
• Performs and records weekly exposure for hot lab sealed sources and mMR scanner phantom sealed source. Maintains decayed waste disposal procedure and radioactive waste storage logs.
• Responsible for all radiation related activities in the RIC keeping direct communication with the Technical Supervisor.
• Performs excellent patient care skills to include transport of doses between hot labs, explanation of procedures, IV placement, blood draw, ISTAT, injection of radiopharmaceuticals patient transport, scanning, completing RIS documentation, billing, image archiving, fusion, post processing, patient assistance with imaging reports, media, post imaging instructions.
• After training and obtaining the license, performs the MRI protocols that accompany clinical PET scans and post processing. Know MRI parameter tradeoffs, physics, anatomy, pathology, basic principles and troubleshooting required to be an independent fusion technologist. Stays abreast of new protocols and technology.

Qualifications

Education:

• Associate Degree/College Diploma in a graduate of an accredited Nuclear Medicine Technology program. Bachelor's degree is preferred.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification from the American Heart Association is required.
• Nuclear Medicine Certification (CNMT) from The Nuclear Medicine Technologist Certification Board, or an R.T. (ARRT), (N) from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) is required.
• CT certification from the NMTCB, or ARRT, is required.
• California Nuclear Medicine Technologist license is required.
• American Registry of Radiologic Technologist - R.T. (MR) (ARRT); or American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists (ARMRIT) - Certified
• MRI Technologist, preferred.

Experience & Skills:

• Minimum two (2) years of experience performing a variety of Nuclear Medicine scans in a busy clinical environment is required.
• Establishes effective working relationships with cross-functional team(s).
• Collaborates to problem solve and make decisions to achieve desired outcomes.
• Identifies and responds appropriately to both internal and external customer needs utilizing available resources.
• Ability to convey and/or receive written/verbal information to/from various audiences in different formats.
• Ability to use discretion and maintain privacy, confidentiality or anonymity.
• Ability to apply process improvement principles.
• Ability to interpret and apply knowledge of State, Federal and Agency standards to comply with regulations.
• Ability to operate mechanical/medical devices and/or equipment.
• Ability to use software applications and operate technological devices (e.g., computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone, etc.).
• Ability to demonstrate problem solving skills and recommends solutions.
• Represents the company with external constituents.