Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Location

Columbia, MD | United States

Job description

Johns Hopkins Intrastaff is the internal staffing agency for the Johns Hopkins Health System and partner hospitals, providing temporary support to a variety of the Johns Hopkins locations. Our employees are the strength of our service. Intrastaff is unique because it is one of the very few agencies where a person has the benefit of being a temporary employee and also feels like a member of a large organization. Working at Hopkins means joining a culturally diverse team that includes some of the best nurses, physicians and allied health professionals in the world. Directly or indirectly, you'll have exposure to cutting-edge technology and groundbreaking medical research.

The Nuclear Medicine Technologist performs a variety of technical procedures that requires independent judgment, ingenuity and initiative in the utilization of rapidly evolving instrumentation, radiopharmaceuticals and multidisciplinary skillsand techniques under the limited direction of a physician; supervision of the administrative director of diagnostic imaging;and the direct supervision of the Manager of Nuclear Medicine. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, an empathetic andinstructional approach to patient contact, care, and monitoring;the procurement, preparation, quality control, dispensing, dose calibration, administration, and disposal of radiopharmaceuticals; the performance of quality control procedures; and the operation of imaging and clinical data processing computers and instrumentation.Responsibilities do not involve invasive procedures, but includes the delivery of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals to a number of pathologies, under the direction of an authorizeduser.Performs all procedures utilizing ionizing radiation safely and effectively, applying federal, state and institutional regulations. Requires courteous, tactful and efficient communication skills with internal and external contacts outside the workgroup in order to better manage potential conflicts in scheduling multi modality procedures, patient preparations and patient availability.Requires efficiency in running the changing patient workflow. Includes operation of radiation detection devices inany area of the hospital for survey of radioactive waste or contamination or for clinical procedures in operating room. 

Johns Hopkins Howard County Hospital is looking for a Nuclear Medicine Technologist in the Imaging Nuclear Medicine department.

Full time schedule - 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM 

Employee demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his/her unit as indicated by the following:

• Demonstrates ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the-appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her-age-specific needs.
• Identifies the physical, motor, sensory, cognitive and psychosocial characteristics for age group(s) served.
• Demonstrates age appropriate communication skills.
• Demonstrates ability to provide the care needed as described in the job description and the department's scope of service for the patient groups under his/her care.
• Age group(s) served will be one or more of the following: Infant (Birth to 12 months), Child (13 months to 12 years), Adolescent (13 years to 17 years), Adult (18 years to 69 years) or Geriatric (70 years and older).
  Assists with first aid, as necessary.
• Practices sterile technique and prevents cross contamination of contagious diseases.
• Maintains cleanliness and sanitation of work area.
• Operates all equipment properly and with care. Immediately reports any equipment safety issue, malfunction, adjustment or repair that may be necessary.
• Maintains an awareness of patient’s physical and emotional condition; recognize and reports adverse signs and takes authorized and/or necessary action.
• Deals effectively and ethically with a variety of physicians and personnel.
• Performs other related technical and patient-care functions that comparable skills and experience require.
• Participates in formal continuing education by attending seminars, refresher courses, as well as individual study to remain current with latest advances in Nuclear Medicine technology.
• Provides instruction/educational training and guidance to Nuclear Medicine Technology students, including coordinating their learning activities, as directed by the Manager of Nuclear.
• The Scope of Practice-Below is detailed guidance regarding the scope of practice of nuclear medicine technologists at Howard County General Hospital. The Annotated Code of Maryland (COMAR), section 10.32.10.10, provides the legal framework for the scope of practice of nuclear medicine technologists in the state of Maryland. To the extent that there may be a discrepancy between that code and HCGH’s definition, COMAR 10.32.10.07 D will take precedence.
  Patient Care: Requires the exercise of judgment to assess and respond to the patient’s needs prior to, during, and after procedures in the nuclear medicine department, and in patient medication reconciliation.
  Quality Control: Requires the evaluation and maintenance of a quality control program for all instrumentation to ensure its proper performance and stability.
  Diagnostic Procedures: Requires the utilization of appropriate techniques, and administration of non-radio pharmaceutical agents when part of standard procedures, to ensure quality diagnostic images and/or laboratory results.
  Radio pharmaceuticals: Involves the procurement, preparation, quality control, dispensing,dose calculation,identification, documentation, administration, disposal, storage, and safe handling of radioactive materials used by the nuclear medicine technologist.
  In-Vivo Diagnostic Testing: Involves the procurement, preparation, quality control,dispensing, dose calibration of radio-pharmaceuticals and oral, inhalation, or intravenous administration. In some cases radio-pharmaceuticals may be administered by other routes under the direct supervision of a state of Maryland authorized user physician of radioactive material.
  In-Vitro Diagnostic Testing: Involves the procurement, preparation, quality control,dispensing, dose calibration of radio-pharmaceuticals and oral, inhalation, or intravenous administration.
• Transmission Imaging: Involves, but is not limited to, the operation of gamma cameras with sealed sources of radioactive material for transmission imaging with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET) and operation of cameras with x-ray tubes for transmission imaging when performed as part of SPECT/CT or PET/CT. Additionally includes diagnostic CT when performed on SPECT/CT or PET/CT cameras, including the administration of oral and intravenous contrast (requires training and education defined in COMAR 10.32.10/10). Radionuclide Therapy: Involves, but is not limited to, assisting an authorized user in the application, management, preparation, and administration of radio-therapeutic procedures and administration of non-radio pharmaceutical agent by oral and intravenous routes when part of standard procedures required for treatment.
• Radiation Safety: Involves, but is not limited to, educating the public while practicing techniques that will minimize radiation exposure to the patient, general public, and healthcare personnel, through consistent use of protective devices, shields, monitors, and other devices consistent with ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable), as well as decontaminating spills and other inappropriate releases of radiation.

Patient care

• Provides for proper comfort, care and assists with transport of the patient prior to, during and after a procedure, including monitoring of intravenous lines (i.e., central lines,Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters [PICC]), oxygen supplies, drains, and patients who are under sedation; and operation of blood pressure cuffs, electrocardiogram (ECG)machines, pulse oximeters, intravenous pumps, and oxygen delivery regulators.
• Insertion of peripheral intravenous catheters required for performance of a nuclear medicine procedure.
• Establishes and maintains proper communication with patients (e.g., proper introduction,appropriate explanation of the procedure, etc.).
• Behaves in a professional manner in consideration of patients’ rights, and resulting in the provision of the highest quality patient care possible.
• Provides a safe and sanitary working environment for patients and the general public, using proper infection control practices in compliance with accepted precaution policies.
• Recognize sand responds to an emergency situation at a level commensurate with one’s training and competency including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
• Provides or assists with patient transportation, as needed.
• Prepares the patient for an examination by:
• Verifies patient identification, pregnancy status, breast-feeding status, and written or electronic orders for the procedure.
• Ensures that informed consent has been obtained, as prescribed by the institution,whenever necessary.
• Confirms that the indication for the procedure is appropriate, and consulting with the authorized user and/or referring physician whenever necessary to ensure that the proper procedure is performed.
  Obtains a pertinent patient history.
• Ensures that any procedural preparation has been completed, including but not limited to fasting, hydration, thyroid blocking, voiding, bowel cleansing, and suspension of interfering medications.

Imaging procedures

• Prepares, evaluates and properly administers the appropriate radio-pharmaceuticals and/or pharmaceuticals and contrast (under the direction of an authorized user).
• Establishes and/or properly maintaining venous access routes of various configurations (in accordance with hospital policies and procedures).
• Selects the appropriate imaging or data collection parameters.
• Administers radio-pharmaceuticals / pharmaceuticals through various routes, oral,intravesical, inhalation, intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intradermal (under the direction-of an authorized user).
• Positions the patient for imaging, adapting the protocol to patient limitations, and acquiring diagnostic quality images.
• Positions and verifies the proper placement of electrocardiographic leads.
• Reviews images to ensure that required information has been acquired, processed properly,and is of the highest quality.
• Assists in cardiac stress testing procedures when performed in conjunction with nuclear medicine procedures.
• Performs data collection, processing, and analysis.
• Archives data to and from storage media.
• Procures and maintains radio-pharmaceutical products and adjunct supplies.
• Properly prepares and administers diagnostic radio-pharmaceuticals under the direction of-an authorized user in accordance with all federal, state and institutional guidelines.
• Properly prepares and administers therapeutic radionuclide's, radio-pharmaceuticals, and pharmaceutical agents by oral and/or intravenous routes when these agents are part of a standard procedure that is required for treatment under the direction of an authorized user in accordance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
• Performs all procedures utilizing ionizing radiation safely and effectively, applying federal,state, and institutional regulations, including-but not limited to:
• Maintaining compliance with all applicable regulations.
• Performing appropriate radioactive contamination monitoring and decontamination-procedures.
• Disposing of radioactive waste in accordance with federal, state and institutional regulations.
• Participating in programs designed to instruct other personnel and clinical interns of the-Nuclear Medicine technology program about radiation hazards and principles of radiation-safety.
• Is responsible for the following areas of the Hospital’sInformation System:
  •Accurately selecting all patient identification information (name, medical record number,etc.) when entering orders.
  •Accurately inputting, editing, and verifying patient’s exam information on the requisitions.
  •Accurately and timely documenting the exam date on the requisitions to include date,time, technologist, and any other necessary information.
  •Putting the exam(s) to “taken” status (or other appropriate status) within 15 minutes of-reviewing final images for quality.
  •Putting the exam(s) to “on-line” status (or other appropriate status) in PACS within 15minutes of reviewing final images for quality.

SKILLS & ABILITIES REQUIRED:
Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
Graduate of an accredited Nuclear Medicine Technology program.
B.S. degree in nuclear medicine from an accredited college or university preferred.
One (1) year of experience preferred.

LICENSES &CERTIFICATIONS:
Registered by NMTCB as a CNMT, or Registered by ARRT in nuclear medicine.
Current nuclear medicine technologist licensure in the state of MD.
If not licensed in MD, submission of acknowledgement from the BPQA of application for the state of MD licensure.
Current CPR certification or obtained within thirty (30) days of hire.
IV certification by HCGH within thirty (30) days of hire.

Johns Hopkins Health System and its affiliates are an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.

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