Sr / Principal Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Fusion)

Job Summary

The position is an 8-hour work schedule with variable hours and rotating weekend shifts.

The technologist is licensed in all scopes of practice as defined by the State of California Radiologic Health branch and performs routine to complex diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures using radiopharmaceuticals to assist in diagnosis and/or treatment in both the inpatient and outpatient environment.

The technologist must be able to work safely in an acute care setting and be able to interact accordingly with anesthesia and/or other patient care departments that visit the Nuclear Medicine environment. Collects, prepares, and analyzes biologic specimens and prepares data for interpretation. Responsible for performing radiation safety and quality control procedures on all Nuclear Medicine equipment as required by the department. Participates in orientation and training of assigned staff, students, residents, and faculty. Participates in performance improvement activities in the department.

The Senior / Principal Nuclear Medicine Fusion Technologist advanced responsibilities can include, yet are not limited to the following:

• Demonstrate competency and participate in the lead/coordinator role.
• Active participation in an annual performance improvement project or active participation in NM Quality Assurance/Radiation Safety meetings.
• Demonstrate competency and the ability to instruct two or more of the advanced procedures, in addition to performing the procedures without direction.
• Active participation in clinical protocol development, maintenance, improvement, and implementation.
• Active participation in research protocol development, maintenance, and implementation.

AREA OF EMPHASIS

1. Performs multi-modality imaging and non-imaging procedures utilizing patient population specific standards according to departmental protocol.

a. Imaging may include dynamic, static and gated acquisitions, SPECT, SPECT/CT, PET, PET/CT, and CT. The technologist is responsible for maintaining consistent high quality diagnostic images, making technical adjustments when indicated.

b. Quantitative computer analysis on images is done according to departmental procedures and guidelines.

c. Special positioning, repeat or additional views are performed as requested by nuclear physician.

d. Technologist reviews applicable test results and/or patient history (i.e. pregnancy, surgery, prosthesis, medications, etc.) relevant to the exam being performed.

e. Diagnostic CT exams:

i. Technologist is familiar with CT contrast media and possible adverse reactions.

ii. Technologist assesses patient and reports any incidents to radiologist.

iii. Competency on the power injector for CT contrast is demonstrated.

f. Research studies are done according to protocol. All required documentation for research procedures is completed in a timely fashion.

g. Non-imaging procedures may include radioisotope therapy administration, radioisotope uptake assessment with a thyroid probe, collection of blood, urine and stool specimens and their preparation for counting, and in vivo or in vitro red blood cell and white blood cell labeling.

h. Correct labeling and transfer of patient data to PACS system is verified.

i. All laboratory auxiliary equipment (pipets, centrifuges, water baths, balances, etc.) is properly operated when required.

j. The Principal Nuclear Medicine Fusion Technologist will be required to maintain competencies in all routine clinical PET/CT exams, including but not limited to at least 3 of the 5 specialty PET/CT exams below:

• PET/CT with Multiphase CT
• Pediatric
• Cardiac
• Neuro
• Research

2. Performs radiopharmacy duties according to departmental policy, federal and state regulations.

a. Practices safe handling of radiopharmaceuticals using aseptic technique.

b. Radionuclide generator systems are eluted maintaining sterile technique and shielding.

c. Quality control of radiopharmaceuticals is performed to ensure radionuclidic purity, radiochemical purity and radiopharmaceutical integrity of agents before administration to patients according to departmental procedures.

d. The correct radiopharmaceutical and dose is prepared for the exam and administered to patient via the prescribed route.

e. Radioactive materials are received, stored and disposed of in accordance with departmental, hospital and federal regulations.

f. All information regarding receipt, quality control, administration and disposal of radioactive materials is logged according to departmental policy.

3. Radiation safety practices are followed to ensure minimal radiation exposure to self and others.

a. ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) guidelines are followed for radiation exposure including the use of syringe and vial shields.

b. Safe handling of radioactive materials is practiced to minimize exposure to self and co-workers.

c. Film badges, uniforms and/or lab coats are worn at all times in radiation areas.

d. Daily surveys are performed of all radiation areas, findings are recorded. Decontamination, if necessary, is performed according to departmental procedures.

4. Performs quality control procedures to ensure optimal performance of imaging equipment, computers and other related auxiliary equipment.

a. Daily, weekly and monthly quality control is performed on all instrumentation including voltage and uniformity checks, linearity, resolution, center of rotation and other indicated tests according to departmental procedure to ensure all equipment is in proper working order.

b. Calibration check procedures on dose calibrator, survey meters, probes and well counters are performed and documented according to departmental procedure.

c. Startup and shutdown procedures for imaging equipment are performed in accordance with manufacturer guidelines.

d. Hard drives are routinely cleaned; patient data is archived to PACS and deleted once successful transfer has been verified.

e. All abnormal quality control tests are reported to the supervisor immediately as observed.

5. Ensures proper safety standards are met.

a. Knowledge of correct emergency shutdown procedures is demonstrated.

b. Knowledge of proper fire and safety evacuations is demonstrated.

c. Imaging/Procedure rooms are consistently maintained according to Infection Control standards.

d. Rooms are inspected for potential environment of care hazards (O2 tanks/outlets, lighting); discrepancies are reported to supervisor in a timely manner.

e. Patient transfer/transport equipment is checked to ensure compliance with safe operational standards.

6. Performs quality and compassionate patient care in order to ensure patient cooperation, safety and satisfaction.

a. Patient is identified using two patient identifiers following hospital policy.

b. Procedure is thoroughly explained according to UCSF AIDET guidance.

c. Technologist is attentive to patient care needs, and expediently calls for nursing and/or physician medical support as required.

d. Patient requisition is reviewed and radiologist prescribed protocol is verified.ADHERES TO POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

• Utilizes proper body mechanics to ensure patient safety upon moving and/or transferring patients and equipment.
• Follows established radiation safety guidelines. Uses appropriate patient shielding.
• Follows established department and hospital guidelines for attendance and tardiness.
• Adheres to all hospital and department policies and procedures. Remains current and compliant with all safety policies reviewed on the Medical Center Annual Safety Training module located in the online UC Learning Center link:

https://learningcenter.ucsfmedicalcenter.org/

• Adheres to all radiation safety policies and procedures.
• Provides excellent customer service to patients, co-workers, physicians and other departments.
• Assures that work environment is clean and in compliance with infection control and environmental health and safety standards.
• Is a role model by maintaining a professional, neat appearance and adhering to the department dress code policy, always displaying hospital identification badge.
• Adheres to the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) Nuclear Medicine Technologist Scope of Practice and Performance Standards:

http://www.snmmi.org/ClinicalPractice/content.aspx?ItemNumber=5532

• Adheres to the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) Code of Ethics and American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Nuclear Medicine Technologist Standards of Ethics:

http://www.nmtcb.org/policies/ethics.php

https://www.arrt.org/pdfs/Governing-Documents/Standards-of-Ethics.pdf

• Adheres to the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) Practice Standards for Nuclear Medicine and Computed Tomography.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

• Demonstrates competency in the Radiology Information System and related downtime procedure, to include the proper scheduling and completion of patient exams.
• Demonstrates competency in the Medical Center's current Electronic Health Record and ordering systems.
• Demonstrates competency on the Nuclear Medicine systems.
• Ensures clinical data is correct and appropriate for specific procedures being requested. Verifies order in APEX prior to starting every procedure.
• Demonstrates competency in the Radiology PACS system and related downtime procedure.
• Completes all exams in the radiology computer system following the procedure.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the Incident Reporting System.
• Utilizes hospital/department computer for hospital business only and logs off computers upon completion of tasks.

LEADERSHIP/SUPERVISION

• Demonstrates leadership in the absence of the supervisor.
• Demonstrates the ability to correctly prioritize and complete tasks, with minimal or no supervision.

The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy.

Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.

To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

Required Qualifications

Prin. Nuclear Medicine Technologist qualifications:

• Require CTNM: NMTCB or ARRT (N)

• Require CA state license \u2013 CA Department of Public Health, Certified Technologist, Nuclear Medicine

• Require post-primary certification in ARRT Computed Tomography (CT) or NMTCB (CT).

• Require BLS Certification

• Graduated from JRCNMT accredited Nuclear Medicine training program.

• Minimum 7 years' experience as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist.

• Minimum 3 year' experience in CT.

• Flexibility in scheduling, ability to rotate locations and shifts and provide coverage for weekends and holidays.

• Demonstrate competency and participate in the lead/coordinator role.

• Be able to perform all routine clinical PET/CT exams and at least 3 of the 5 specialty PET/CT exams independently:

• PET/CT with Multiphase CT

• Pediatric

• Cardiac

• Neuro

• Research

• Teaching: Demonstrate competency to teach routine and specialty exams to newer NM Technologists.

• Mentorship: ability to provide guidance, advice and direction to less experienced Technologist.

Sr. Nuclear Medicine Technologist qualifications:

• Graduate of an accredited Nuclear Medicine training program.
• Flexibility in scheduling, ability to rotate locations and shifts and provide coverage for weekends and holidays.
• Minimum 3 years' experience as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist.
• Demonstrate competency and the ability to instruct two or more of the specialty procedures within 6 months of hire/promotion.
• Require CTNM: NMTCB or ARRT (N)
• Require CA state license \u2013 CA Department of Public Health, Certified Technologist, Nuclear Medicine
• Require post-primary certification in Computed Tomography (ARRT) or (NMTCB)
• Require BLS (CPR) Certification

Nuclear Medicine Technologist:

• Graduate of an accredited Nuclear Medicine training program.
• Flexibility in scheduling, ability to rotate locations and shifts and provide coverage for weekends and holidays.
• Require CTNM: NMTCB or ARRT (N)
• Require CA state license \u2013 CA Department of Public Health, Certified Technologist, Nuclear Medicine
• Require post-primary certification in Computed Tomography (ARRT) or (NMTCB)
• Require BLS (CPR) Certification

Preferred Qualifications

Prin. Nuclear Medicine Fusion Technologist:

• Prefer recent work experience in an acute care setting.
• Prefer ACLS.
• Prefer a bachelor's degree in science, or equivalent credentials.

Sr. Nuclear Medicine Technologist:

• Prefer recent work experience in an acute care setting.
• Prefer ACLS
• Prefer a bachelor's degree in science, or equivalent credentials.
• Prefer previous experience in a Nuclear Medicine Technologist lead/coordinator role.

Nuclear Medicine Technologist:

• Prefer recent work experience in an acute care setting.
• Prefer ACLS
• Prefer a bachelor's degree in science, or equivalent credentials.