Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Job Summary:

• Wellstar Douglas in Douglasville, Georgia is seeking a FT Nuclear Medicine Technologist.
• The days and hours for the position are Thursday, Friday and Saturday (7:00am – 7:30pm).
• 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.
• Responsible for performing a wide variety of technical procedures requiring independent judgment, ingenuity and initiative in the utilization of equipment for the diagnosis and/or treatment of diseases.
• Can independently perform job functions.
• Sets up the equipment to provide imaging service and positions patient for the procedure.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

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 when applicable.
• Reviews images for clinically acceptable results and releases patients.
• Responds to emergency situations and ensures restocking of the crash cart and maintenance of life support equipment.
• Assists other technologists in all modalities when needed.
• Observes patient condition and evaluates situations when physician intervention is needed to ensure no deterioration occurs.
• Verifies correct identity of patient using 2 unique identifiers per hospital policy.
• Ensures patient privacy and comfort is accommodated; maintains patient dignity throughout the exam/procedure.
• Demonstrates competence in selecting and applying procedures, equipment, supplies and techniques based on the age of patients.
• Organizes schedule, time and priorities to ensure required activities occur within designated time frames.
• Follows physicians’ instructions when assisting with procedures and exams.
• Uses critical thinking skills.
• Dialogs with patient/family.
• Asks clarifying questions.
• Seeks clarification on ambiguous orders.
• Understands, demonstrates and documents preprocedural 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.

Equipment

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

Education and Communications

• Patiently and clearly explains purpose and nature of the exam to the patient using AIDET to minimize anxiety and facilitate cooperation.
• Ensures patient questions, concerns or contraindications are satisfactorily addressed; notifies physician when unresolved.
• Participates in orientation and training of departmental employees.
• Required documentation is concise, legible and includes precise terminology.
• Reads email each scheduled workday 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 equipment is fully operational prior to each use by checking calibration and operating deficiencies.
• Sends all studies to PACS immediately after completion; prints CDs as needed.
• Studies transmitted after hours by teleradiography are printed and scanned into PACS when applicable.
• Completes all studies in RIS before completing in PACS.
• Prints completed teleradiography log sheet and submits to Radiologist when applicable.

Operations

• Restocks linens and supplies and maintains the NM department in clean and orderly condition.
• Transports patients, positions patients and assists them on and off the procedure table.
• Performs patient charging activities on the day of service.
• Applies supportive and immobilization devices and equipment.
• Willingly shares knowledge and assists others as needed and routinely as time allows.
• Performs clerical and support duties as needed to ensure continuity and quality of services.
• Keeps supervisor informed of responsibilities and promptly reports problems or potential concerns.
• Maintains individual productivity rate equal to other coworkers.
• Ability to operate NM equipment within the department.
• Maintains Joint Commission standards and other regulatory agency requirements.
• Any other duties as assigned.
• Takes call when necessary.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all Wellstar Health System policies, standards of work and code of conduct.

Required Minimum Education:

• Graduate of an approved AMA Nuclear Medicine Program — Required

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s):

(All required upon hire unless otherwise stated)

• ARRT Nuclear Technology or Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) through American Heart Association — Required

Required Minimum Experience:

• Minimum 1 year experience in a clinical setting caring for patients (may include clinical rotations) — Required
• Minimum 1 year Nuclear Medicine experience — Preferred

Required Minimum Skills:

• Must exhibit excellent communication skills due to frequent verbal and written interaction with physicians, patients, visitors, departmental staff and nursing staff.
• Routinely obtains, presents and discusses clinical information regarding job responsibilities.
• Must be able to explain or give directions to maintain goodwill and cooperation with all contacts.
• Must function independently and under pressure while participating actively in a team environment.
• Must exhibit excellent customer service skills at all times.
• Must perform effectively in a stressful and fast‑paced work environment.
• Must be able to prioritize appropriately and multitask effectively.
• Must be detail oriented.
• Must interact professionally with patients, families, coworkers, volunteers and physicians.
• Must function independently yet productively as a cooperative team member.
• Must be compliant with all hospital policies, practices, protocols and applicable professional standards.
• Assists with providing safe, age‑appropriate care by performing all exams per department protocols.
• Has the knowledge and ability to obtain a quality diagnostic study properly and safely.
• Responsible for performing a wide variety of technical procedures requiring independent judgment, ingenuity and initiative.
• Able to independently perform job functions.
• Sets up equipment and positions patient for the procedure.
• Ability to teach and mentor fellow NM staff if needed.