Nuclear Medicine Technologist - Per Diem - Shift

Kern Medical has been a community cornerstone since its founding in 1867. Today, we are an acute care teaching center with 222 beds, offering the only advanced trauma care between Fresno and Los Angeles.  Kern Medical cares for 15,500 inpatients and 125,000 clinic patients a year.

• Per Diem employees supplement department staffing needs, with no guarantee of minimum hours.
• Per Diem minimum scheduling expectation is two (2) shift per four week schedule.

Position: Per DiemNuclear Medicine Technologist - Shift

Job Description

Under direction of the Radiology Manager, to perform a variety of technical procedures in the utilization of radioisotopes for the diagnosis and therapy of disease, OR to serve as the lead technical person in the Nuclear Medicine section for an assigned shift; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This is the journey level of the Nuclear Medicine Technologist series. This classification is distinguished from Nuclear Medicine Technologist I by the assignment of shift coordinator responsibilities OR the performance of complex radioisotope procedures involving the use of special techniques and/or equipment. The Nuclear Medicine Technologist II performs routine and complex radioisotope procedures. Appointments to Nuclear Medicine Technologist II will be made, depending on department needs, on the recommendation of the department head with the approval of the Director of Personnel.

Essential Functions:

• Documents all information on the patient's images, consents, and other medical records.
• Corroborates patient's clinical history with procedure, ensuring information is documented and available for use by a licensed independent practitioner. Verifies informed consent.
• Assumes responsibility for patient needs during procedures.
• Applies principles of ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) to minimize exposure of patient, self, and others.
• Performs venipuncture as prescribed by a licensed independent practitioner (within the scope of practice).
• Starts and maintains intravenous access as prescribed by a licensed independent practitioner (within the scope of practice).
• Identifies, prepares, and/or administers medications as prescribed by a licensed independent practitioner (within the scope of practice).
• Educates and monitors students and other health care providers.
• Coordinates schedule with receptionist to complete departmental workload; maintains daily log and procedure manual; maintains monthly count and a chart of all procedures performed
• Keeps records on all service calls for equipment, what service was done, what parts were replaced or repaired and other relative information on equipment; maintains adequate supplies.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with all inter-relating hospital, referral, or commercial agencies.
• Responsible for staffing and scheduling. Assists with all personnel actions.
• Recommends action necessary for improvement of overall performance quality of department.
• Prepares rooms and patients for radioisotope procedures; gives directions to patients before procedure; provides proper positioning of patients according to prescribed safety standards; shields patients as required.
• Selects and uses proper immobilization and supportive devices when necessary.
• Assists the radiologist in the preparation and administration of radiopharmaceuticals; prepares and administer radioactive mixtures for patients as requested by the physician.
• Selects proper technique and operates Nuclear Medicine equipment; calibrates equipment and performs radioisotope assay operations.
• Performs radionuclide procedures on patients; assists the physician in the therapeutic use of radioisotopes under prescribed safety conditions.
• Reviews images for proper identification and quality checks; maintains equipment and work areas in a clean and orderly condition.
• Maintains adequate records of radioisotope receipts, storage, use and disposal in accordance with State and Federal regulations governing the accountability, storage, use and disposal of radioactive materials.
• Performs daily instrument calibration procedures sufficient to affirm proper performance; responsible for inputting charges into the computer billing system.
• Provides cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first-aid care to patients when required in the department.
• Monitors for radioactivity levels as required in the Medical Center and follows established clean-up guidelines in the event of radioactive contamination of personnel, equipment or environment.
• Dependent upon area of practice or department assignments, demonstrates clinical knowledge and skill in the care of the newborn, infant, toddler, child, adolescent, adult and geriatric patient ranging up to 100+ years of age.

Other Functions:

• Performs other job-related duties as required.

Employment Standards:

High School Diploma, G.E.D. or equivalent. Graduation from an accredited program in Nuclear Medicine approved by the Joint Review Committee. Satisfactory completion of formal Nuclear Medicine training program AND two (2) years appropriate on-the-job experience working in Nuclear Medicine.
 

AND
 

Must possess and maintain a current certification as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist from the State of California Department of Health Services AND maintain current registration with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) OR with the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist.
Possession and maintenance of a current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card.
Employees must maintain all health requirements designated by Kern Medical Center.
Knowledge of: the operation of Nuclear Medicine equipment and materials; structural and organic anatomy; must maintain proficiency in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first-aid; acute care hospital procedures.
Ability to: supervise and instruct employees; deal tactfully and professionally with patients, physicians and staff; understand and follow written and oral instructions; administer emergency first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation; maintain records and files; maintain the strictest levels of confidentiality; effectively communicate verbally and in written; operate a computer.

SUPPLEMENTAL:

• Employees must maintain all health requirements designated by Kern Medical;
• Depending on assignment incumbents may be required to possess and maintain specific certificates of competency as a condition of employment;
• A background check may be required for this classification.

All Kern Medical employees are designated “Disaster Service Workers”. In the event of a disaster or civil disorder, all Kern Medical employees are to remain at work or to report to work in a safe and practicable manner.