Mammography Technologist

Northwell Health•Staten Island, NY

21h•Onsite

About The Position

The Mammography Technologist operates mammography radiographic equipment, positions patients, processes images, and maintains and cleans equipment. This role also involves performing various diagnostic x-ray exams and maintaining required documentation. Key responsibilities include providing excellent patient care, greeting patients, preparing the examination room, explaining procedures, and practicing universal precautions. The technologist is expected to treat all patients with courtesy and professionalism, adhere to scheduled appointment times, communicate effectively with patients, and ensure patient confidentiality. Maintaining a professional appearance and practicing radiation protection techniques to minimize exposure for both patients and staff are also crucial. The technologist is responsible for keeping the work area clean and organized in compliance with OSHA guidelines, managing the flow of mammography screenings and diagnostic exams, and performing Quality Control functions. The role also involves preparing for and assisting radiologists with interventional procedures such as stereo tactic guided procedures, ultrasound guided procedures, needle localizations, and galactography, while observing departmental radiation safety (ALARA). Proficiency in RIS and PACS systems is required for tracking and verifying image transfers. The technologist will interface with patients, staff, and physicians to enhance the patient experience and improve patient satisfaction scores. Infection control duties include cleaning and disinfecting scan heads, maintaining room cleanliness, and practicing sterile technique during special procedures. Supplemental duties include managing supply inventory, providing on-the-job training to other technologists or students, and coordinating equipment preventative maintenance.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited Radiologic Technologist program
New York State Department of Health licensure as a Radiologic Technologist
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) registration in mammography
Minimum two (2) years work experience in mammography

Responsibilities

Operates mammography radiographic equipment
Positions patients
Processes images
Maintains and cleans equipment
Performs various diagnostic x-ray exams
Maintains required documentation
Performs high quality procedures while providing excellent patient care
Greets patients with courtesy and respect using patient identification and scripting protocols
Assures room is prepared prior to start of procedure
Explains procedures to all patients
Practices universal precautions at all times
Treats all patients in a kind, courteous and professional manner
Makes every attempt to meet scheduled appointment times and accommodate “walk-in or add-on” patients in a timely fashion
Communicates with patient throughout visit; keeps patient well informed
Releases patient with appropriate follow-up information
Respects confidentiality regarding patient records
Ensures patient trust by presenting neat and professional medical image through appropriate dress and grooming
Positions patient in mammography machine and adjusts immobilization devices to obtain optimum views of specified areas requested by the physician
Moves equipment into specified position and adjusts equipment controls to set exposure factors
Practices radiation protection techniques to minimize radiation to patient and staff
Insures their work area is clean and organized at all times and in compliance with OSHA guidelines
Keeps up with the flow of mammography screenings exams which are performed at 15 minute intervals and diagnostic exams which are performed at 30 minute intervals
Maintains cleanliness of assigned machine and room on a daily basis
Reviews the policy and procedures stated in the manual
Performs Quality Control functions as needed
Prepares room for interventional procedure fully prior to radiologist entering room
Practices universal precautions at all times
Disposes of sharps and cleans room following procedure
Performs and assists radiologist with all interventional procedures following proper training
Observes departmental radiation safety procedures to maintain occupational exposure as low as reasonable achievable (ALARA)
Proficient in all aspects of the RIS and PACS systems
Routinely uses RIS tracking system as well as PACS system to verify proper transfer of images to PACS system
Interfaces with patient, staff and physicians both within and external to the department to facilitate the improvement of the patient experience in every possible way
Works continuously to improve Press Ganey scores via patient satisfaction
Correctly and consistently follows department procedures for cleaning and disinfecting external scan heads
Keeps room/work station neat, orderly and clean per IC and departmental standards
Practices sterile technique and prevents cross-contamination during special procedures
Maintains proper inventory of all supplies necessary for assigned modality
Provides on the job instructions to other imaging technologists or students
Coordinates preventative maintenance of equipment when necessary
Performs related duties as required