Job Summary:
Under indirect supervision and utilizing Magnetic Resonance Imaging equipment, produces diagnostic quality cross-sectional images of the brain, spinal cord, head and neck, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, large joints and other areas of the human anatomy and vasculature. Performs basic and advanced protocols and uses/manipulates hardware and technical parameters in order to maximize Magnetic Resonance image quality and acquire images that can be utilized by physicians in order to diagnose disease processes and pathology.
Essential Responsibilities:
Upholds Kaiser Permanentes Policies and Procedures, Principles of Responsibilities and applicable state, federal and local laws.
Essential Duties:
Observes all applicable Regional, Medical Center & department policies and procedures.
Demonstrates an understanding of the cognitive, physical, emotional and chronological maturation process in delivery of services to patients of the age group served.
Able to assess data reflective of the patients status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patients requirements relative to his or her age specific needs and to provide the care needed in accordance with department policy.
Documents clinical activities in a timely, comprehensive and accurate manner.
Maintains standards of professional behavior established to enhance quality of service.
Demonstrates effective communication skills.
Demonstrates professional conduct in all interactions with patient and staff.
Maintains equipment, supplies and work area in accordance with department guidelines.
Essential Clinical Duties and Responsibilities:
Interviews patient to explain magnetic resonance imaging procedures, obtain patient history and conduct imaging screens (e.g., checking for in-vivo metal objects);
Correlates requested exam with patient history and diagnosis
Positions patient as required for requested exam or uses variations to ensure proper positioning of patient to magnet isocenter
Selects appropriate coil for requested exam and positions coil (such as head coil or knee coil) to demonstrate area of interest and to obtain maximum transmit and receive signal;
Selects monitoring devices and support equipment as required by patient condition
Obtains optimal MR imaging throughout entire region of interest by selecting and applying imaging parameters such as - but not limited to - field of view, number of slices, slice thickness, number of excitations (acquisitions), repetition time, echo time, phase direction, frequency direction, matrix and gap between slices;
Performs tuning procedures;
Utilizes appropriate protocols for producing optimal images;
Identifies and uses appropriate planes for a particular exam;
Modifies protocols as required to produce optimal images;
Identifies artifacts if present and corrects for problem
Recognizes the need for additional sequences, changes in protocols and the need for paramagnetic contrast studies based on patient pathology, physical condition or image quality problems.
Differentiates normal anatomy and normal variations in appearance in planes from abnormal conditions in order to make associated changes in imaging
May apply special applications of MR such as contrast agents/studies, MR angiography, MR interventional, magnetization transfer imaging (MTI ), echo planar, spectroscopy, maximum intensity projection, cine and perfusion/diffusion imaging
Enters into computer specific data such as patient history, anatomical area to be scanned, orientation specified; keys commands to specify scan sequences into computer and adjusts transmitters and receivers;
Views images of area being scanned on video display screens to ensure image quality
Films scan results utilizing a laser camera or photographs images and processes film.