RADIOLOGY TECHNOLOGIST

If you are an existing employee of South Shore Health then please apply through the internal career site.

Requisition Number:

Facility:

Department Name:

Status:

Budgeted Hours:

Shift:

Compensation Pay Range:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1 - Patient Care

• Confirm patients identity.
• Evaluate patients ability to understand and comply with requirements for the requested examination.
• Explain and confirm patients preparation (e.g., diet restrictions, preparatory medications) prior to radiographic/fluoroscopic examinations.
• Examine radiographic requisition to verify accuracy and completeness of information (e.g., patient history, clinical diagnosis).
• Sequence imaging procedures to avoid residual contrast material affecting future exams.
• Responsible for medical equipment attached to patients (e.g., IVs, oxygen) during the radiographic procedures.
• Provide for patient safety, comfort, and modesty.
• Communicate scheduling delays to waiting patients.
• Verify or obtain patient consent as necessary (e.g., contrast studies).
• Explain procedure instructions to patient or patients family.

2 - (continued from # 1)

• Practice standard precautions.
• Follow appropriate procedures when in contact with patient in isolation.
• Select immobilization devices, when indicated, to prevent patients movement and/or ensure patients safety.
• Use proper body mechanics and/or mechanical transfer devices when assisting patient.
• Prior to administration of contrast agent, gather information to determine appropriate dosage, and to determine if patient is at increased risk of adverse reaction.
• Confirm type of contrast media and prepare for administration.
• Use sterile or aseptic technique and prepare for administration.
• Observe patient after administration of contrast media to detect adverse reactions.
• Recognize need for prompt medical attention and administer emergency care.
• Explain post-procedural instructions to patient or patients family.

3 - (continued from #2)

• Maintain confidentiality of patients information.
• Document required information on patients medical record (e.g., radiographic requisitions, radiographs).
• Quality assures exams performed to capture the technical and room time.
• Performs work of equal skill, effort and responsibility as directed and may perform work of a higher level in preparation for increase responsibility.

4 - Radiation Protection

• Clean, disinfect or sterilize facilities and equipment, and dispose of contaminated items in preparation for next examination.
• Evaluate the need for and use of protective shielding.
• Take appropriate precautions to minimize radiation exposure to patient.
• Question female patient of child-bearing age about possible pregnancy and take appropriate action (i.e., document response, contact physician).
• Restrict beam to limit exposure area, improve image quality, and reduce radiation dose.
• Set kVp, mA and time or automatic exposure system to achieve optimum image quality, safe operating conditions, and minimum radiation dose.
• Prevent all unnecessary persons from remaining in area during x-ray exposure.
• Take appropriate precautions to minimize occupation radiation exposure.
• Wear a personnel monitoring device while on duty.
• Evaluate individual occupational exposure reports to determine if values for the reporting period are within established limits.

5 - Equipment Operation

• Prepare and operate radiographic unit and accessories:
• Three-phrase generator.
• High frequency generator.
• Bone densitometry unit.
• Prepare and operate fluoroscopy unit and accessories:
• Fixed fluoroscopic unit and accessories.
• Pulse fluoroscopy.
• Digital fluoroscopy.
• Mobile fluoroscopic unit.
• Prepare and operate digital imaging devices:
• Computerized radiography.
• Direct digital radiography.
• Picture archival and communication system (PACS).

6 - Image Production

• Remove all radiopaque materials from patient or table that could interfere with the radiographic image.
• Select equipment and accessories (e.g., grid, compensating filters, shielding for the examination requested).
• Use radiopaque markers to indicate anatomical side, position or other relevant information (e.g., time, upright, decubitis, post-void).
• Explain breathing instructions prior to making the exposure.
• Position patient to demonstrate the desired anatomy using body landmarks.
• Determine appropriate exposure factors using calipers and technique charts:
• Fixed kVp technique chart.
• Variable kVp technique chart.
• Calipers (to determine patient thickness for exposure).
• Automatic exposure control (AEC).
• Modify exposure factors for circumstances such as involuntary motion, casts and splints, pathological conditions, or patients inability to cooperate.
• Process exposed image.
• Reload cassettes and magazines by selecting film of proper size and type.
• Prepare digital/computed image receptor for exposure.

7 - (continued from #6)

• Verify accuracy of patient identification on radiograph.
• Evaluate radiographs for diagnostic quality.
• Determine corrective measures if radiograph is not of diagnostic quality and take appropriate action.
• Store and handle film/cassette in a manner which will reduce the possibility of artifact production.

8 - Equipment Maintenance

• Recognize and report malfunctions in the radiographic or fluoroscopic unit and accessories:
• Visual inspection of equipment.
• Perform basic evaluations of radiographic equipment and accessories:
• Beam restriction system.
• Beam alignment.
• Source-to-image receptor distance indicator.
• Radiation protection devices (lead aprons and gloves).

9 - Safety Awareness Fosters a "Culture of Safety" through personal ownership and commitment to a safe environment.

• Prior to the start of any invasive procedures, a final verification to confirm the correct patient, procedure, site, and information is done.
• Verifies patient according to policy prior to administration of care/procedures/medications.
• Follows approved procedure for verifying MD orders including a verbal readback to the licensed independent practitioner after receiving a telephone order.
• Complies with the current CDC hand hygiene guidelines through proper handwashing, as observed by nurse manager and peers.
• Consistently follows the South Shore Hospital policy to mark surgical sites.
• Makes appropriate use of personal protective equipment at all times.
• Adheres to respiratory etiquette guidelines.
• Adheres to universal precautions.
• Appropriately disposes of hazardous materials.
• Adheres to electrical safety guidelines.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Education - Preferred

• Graduate of an approved two-year program.

Minimum Work Experience

• Six (6) months to be fully proficient.

Required Licenses / Registrations

• RT - Radiography Technology (MA state license) or
• RT Temp - Radiography Technology Temporary (MA state license)

Required additional Knowledge and Abilities

• Employees must produce their CEU records to their manager prior to start date and on an ongoing basis thereafter. Technologists in this position are responsible to maintain CEU activity on-site for a period of two years longer than the technologists last licensure renewal date.
• 8 or 10 hour shifts available, varied shifts.

Responsibilities if Required:

Education if Required:

License/Registration/Certification Requirements: