Neurovascular Technologist

Advocate Health and Hospitals Corporation • Macon, GA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Neuro-Interventional Technologist primary responsibility is to support the Neuro-Interventional Program, Patients and Physicians. This role involves positioning and immobilization of patients, preparing patients in a sterile fashion, and operating sophisticated radiographic equipment to obtain high-quality images. The technologist will perform procedures with various specialists, including general interventional procedures and complex endovascular neurological procedures. They will also explain examinations to patients and families, maintain supplies, and ensure patient safety. Additionally, this role acts as a primary contact for Neuro-Physicians regarding program changes, manages stock efficiently, and communicates program changes to other technologists. The position also involves developing leadership skills, providing training to new technologists, and attending department meetings.

Requirements

• Must have attended an AMA approved School of Radiologic Technology and be ARRT registered.
• 2 year's experience
• This position will to recognize needs and behaviors of a variety of age groups of patients and treat all customers with age specific appropriateness.
• ability to perform most interventional radiology procedures usually performed in specials lab with close supervision of the radiologist
• demonstrates ability to use various types of radiographic equipment to obtain images of optimal quality.
• demonstrates good team work and cooperation with external/internal customers
• Good communication skills.
• ARRT registered
• Licensed by State of Illinois (IEMA)
• Exposed to radiation
• Ability to deal with extremely ill patients
• ability to communicate with patients
• ability to adjust to flexible work hours, long hours, overtime hours
• Ability to participate in on-call program and available to department needs with minimal notice
• ability to do light ,medium, ,heavy lifting. Light: lifting 20 pounds occasionally and /or up to 10 pounds frequently Medium: lifting up to 20-50 pounds occasionally and/or 10-25 pounds frequently and/or 10-20 pounds constantly. Heavy: Lifting 50-100 pounds occasionally and/or 25-50 pounds frequently, and/or 10-20 pounds constantly.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time while wearing a lead apron. Apron weights about 20 lbs.
• Ability to make independent professional decisions using good judgment skills.
• Ability to practice high quality patient care and technical competence
• Ability to function with minimal assistance in performing job activities.
• Ability to demonstrate oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work well in a team environment with physicians and nurses
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available. Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Responsibilities

• Positioning and immobilization of patient to ensure anatomy or blood vessels being examined are in the correct profile and projection.
• Prepares patient in a sterile fashion for procedures.
• Responsible for operating sophisticated and highly technical radiographic equipment and auxiliary equipment to obtain the highest quality of images for Interventional Radiology.
• Independent selection of technical factors to ensure high quality images with the lowest possible dose to the patient.
• Performs procedures with Interventional Radiologists, vascular surgeons, neuro radiologists, neuro surgeons, and other specialists.
• Participates in general interventional procedures such as declotting of blood vessels, UFE, venous ablations other peripheral vascular procedures. These procedures require advanced knowledge of vascular anatomy. Includes the insertion of arterial needles and catheters.
• Can deploy closure devices as provided for by policy.
• Positions patient in proper positions to radiographically demonstrate correct anatomy.
• Prepares examination rooms for smooth performance of procedures, including equipment and supplies.
• Obtains radiographic DSA and DA images for interventional procedures and transmit all images to PACS for interpretation by the neuro-radiologist.
• Sets up patient on appropriate cardiac and other monitoring systems. Ability to interpret normal ranges on monitoring equipment.
• Participates in and assists in the performance of complex interventional endovascular neurological procedures such as cerebral coilings, AVM gluings, PTA, stent placements, thrombolysis and thrombectomy, and other stroke interventional procedures requiring a high level of understanding of complex neurovascular anatomy.
• Operates all special procedure equipment correctly and according to safety standards. This includes x-ray generators, power injectors and computerized radiographic equipment and patient monitors.
• Maintains a clean and safe work environment by performing minor daily housekeeping tasks contributing to the overall cleanliness of work area.
• Explains examination to patients and families. Rounds on patient and family to ensure they kept informed of procedure progress.
• Understands and develops skills necessary to assist radiologists with intervention devices such as angioplasty catheters, pressure inflators, steerable guide wires, nephrostomy catheters, urinary stents, biliary drainage catheters, biliary stents, infusion catheters, embolization catheters with related solutions, neuro interventional catheters and equipment.
• Uses Universal Precautions in daily performance of procedures. Protect self against bodily fluid contact.
• Maintenance of the timely flow of patients in and out of Interventional Radiology lab by assisting with patient care and transportation of patient to and from care areas as required.
• Provides information to the radiologist about patient history, previous examinations, contraindications and other related data to help achieve consistent quality of care and reduce or eliminate potential medical management problems.
• Accepts emergency calls, and accompanying restraints and increased responsibilities. Must respond to emergency calls within 45 minutes of receiving call.
• Maintains supplies, and inventory to ensure adequate levels when necessary.
• Records all pertinent patient information for accurate procedure charging.
• Delivery of patient care and in accordance with departmental standards of Continued quality improvement.
• Demonstrates excellent communication skills by answering questions from all customers. Must maintain positive communications with department coordination team to ensure patient throughput at all times.
• Maintains positive customer relations following prescribed department policies.
• Manages data entry for neuro-interventional patients; enters data in HI-IQ for general interventional patients.
• Must promote patient safety by reporting issues through established channels and participating as requested in safety initiatives.
• Participates in team problem-solving issues that would improve patient care, department operations, image quality, inter departmental relationships and employee satisfaction.
• Is self- directed in securing supplies and equipment for the department.
• Acts as a primary contact for the Neuro-Physicians for program changes with technology and procedures.
• Responsible for maintaining technical excellence of Neuro-Interventional technical staff to present and new procedures in the Neuro-Interventional Section.
• Manages stock in a cost efficient manner, working with purchasing to coordinate new product offerings, maintain sufficient par levels on hand for Neuro-Interventional Cases.
• Ensure any expired products are removed from inventory and traded back to vendor in a timely manner.
• Maintains communications with vendors, setting up opportunities for product to be brought in on consignment and paid for as used.
• Maintain communication with other Advocate sites to exchange and utilize product prior to expiration.
• Communicates program changes to technologists in a clear, concise and timely fashion.
• Audits and assures understanding of program changes by staff.
• Gathers and maintains input of key data elements to support the neuro- interventional program including registries CSC Metrics, research and others as identified.
• Development of leadership skills and professionalism for self through participation in department and/or hospital based committees and continuing education programs.
• Supervision and training for technologists learning neuro-interventional procedures.
• Attends to personal work schedule in a consistent and professional manner.
• Demonstrates self-direction by identifying learning needs and establishing self-development activities.
• Completes all development goals and department in-services and competencies, within prescribed time frame.
• Attends and participates in department meetings.
• Works independently while maintaining adaptability and flexibility for change.
• Identifies problems and takes steps towards resolution.
• Assumes a leadership role in providing instruction and direction to students participating in the clinical program and helps evaluate performance.
• Provides orientation, education, instruction and direction to technologists in the performance of neuro-interventional specific duties.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off programs
• medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses
• adoption assistance and paid parental leave
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs
• Educational Assistance Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree