Nuclear Medicine Tech - Nuclear Medicine - PRN

VCU Health•Richmond, VA

About The Position

The Nuclear Medicine Technologist administers radioactive materials and related medications to patients of all ages for diagnostic, therapeutic, or research purposes, and performs nuclear medicine examinations or treatments upon the request of a licensed independent practitioner (LIP). The role combines scientific knowledge, technical skills, patient interaction, and compassionate care to produce diagnostic information. The technologist assesses patient conditions, applies knowledge of anatomy, physiology, chemistry, nuclear physics, mathematics, pharmacology, pathology, and medical terminology, and uses independent, professional, and ethical judgment. The role also includes patient care, quality control, diagnostic procedures, radiopharmaceutical preparation and administration, in vitro diagnostic testing, radionuclide therapy, and radiation safety. The technologist performs procedures according to orders, protocols, and safety standards; prepares and administers radiopharmaceuticals and adjunctive medications; and handles radioactive materials through procurement, calibration, quality control, dispensing, documentation, administration, and disposal. Equipment used includes gamma cameras, CT scanners for attenuation correction and anatomical localization, PET scanners, dose calibrators, survey instruments, probe and well counters, and ancillary patient-care equipment. The technologist maintains accuracy in positioning and protocol selection, evaluates images for technical quality, applies ALARA principles, and participates in quality assurance and improvement activities. The position provides patient care before, during, and after procedures, including preparation, education, monitoring, assistance, and transportation. The technologist communicates with patients, LIPs, and support-team members; receives and documents imaging orders; checks clinical histories and informed consent; performs venipuncture and maintains IV access as needed; and identifies and escalates emergencies. The role may include assisting LIPs with specialized diagnostic or therapeutic procedures and educating, mentoring, and overseeing students and other learners. Continuing education and ongoing assessment of performance are expected. This is a PRN role. Shift rotations and schedules are established with the manager or supervisor and may be adjusted to meet staffing needs. On-call, weekend, and other after-hours coverage may be required. Technologists are considered essential employees and may be required to report to work under VCU Health System policy. Compensation depends on relevant experience, credentials, and qualifications. Listed ranges are $34.00–$48.70 for Nuclear Medicine Technologist I, $35.19–$54.55 for Nuclear Medicine Technologist II, and $39.41–$61.09 for Nuclear Medicine Technologist III.

Requirements

Certification by the Nuclear Medicine Technologist Certification Board (NMTCB) or registry by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists in Nuclear Medicine (ARRT-N); new graduates must obtain certification or registry before their first day of employment.
Maintain current NMTCB certification or ARRT-N registry for continued employment.
Meet eligibility requirements and progress to Imaging Technologist Advancement Program Clinical Ladder Level 2 within 24 months of hire.
Basic Life Support (BLS for Healthcare Providers).
Graduation from a JRC-accredited Nuclear Medicine program recognized by the NMTCB and/or ARRT.
Demonstrated knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, chemistry, nuclear physics, mathematics, pharmacology, pathology, and medical terminology.
Ability to apply radiation-safety principles and perform and assess quality-control measures.
Ability to exercise independent, professional, and ethical judgment and maintain accuracy in positioning and protocol selection.
Ability to communicate effectively with patients and the care team and provide compassionate patient care.
Ability to handle the stated physical and mental demands, including lifting 20–50 pounds; prolonged sitting and walking; strong recall, reasoning, and problem-solving; hearing, clear speech, legible writing, reading, and logical thinking; and managing multiple priorities in a changing, fast-paced environment.
Availability for schedules that may include rotating shifts, on-call, weekends, and other after-hours coverage as staffing and workload require.
Experience required: None specified.

Nice To Haves

One year of previous nuclear medicine or PET/CT work experience.
Previous work experience in an academic medical center environment.
Bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Medicine Technology or Radiologic Technology with an emphasis in Nuclear Medicine from an accredited program.

Responsibilities

Perform nuclear medicine procedures or examinations upon the order of, and for diagnostic interpretation by, a licensed independent practitioner.
Follow protocols and use appropriate radiopharmaceuticals and adjunctive medications to produce quality diagnostic images or results.
Safely handle and store radioactive materials, including procurement, identification, calibration, preparation, quality control, dose calculation, dispensing documentation, administration, and disposal.
Operate nuclear medicine instrumentation, including gamma cameras, CT scanners, PET scanners, dose calibrators, survey instruments, probe and well counters, and ancillary patient-care equipment.
Provide patient care according to established protocols and assist LIPs with specialized diagnostic and therapeutic examinations.
Apply patient-safety principles during procedures, including assisting and transporting patients.
Receive, relay, and document verbal, written, and electronic imaging orders in the patient’s medical record.
Corroborate patient clinical history with the ordered procedure and ensure relevant information is documented and available to the LIP.
Verify informed consent and assume responsibility for patient needs before, during, and after procedures.
Prepare patients for procedures and provide education about imaging procedures.
Apply ALARA principles to minimize radiation exposure to patients, self, and others.
Perform venipuncture and start and maintain intravenous access according to procedural protocol and the LIP’s imaging order.
Identify, prepare, and administer medications associated with nuclear medicine imaging procedures as prescribed by an LIP.
Evaluate images for technical quality and ensure proper identification is recorded.
Identify and escalate emergencies, managing them until the appropriate LIP, EMS, MERT, RRT, or Code Team assumes control.
Educate, mentor, and provide general oversight to students and other learners in the Radiology environment.
Participate in and/or perform ongoing quality assurance and quality improvement activities.
Independently perform or assist the LIP with diagnostic and therapeutic examinations or treatments, calculate radioactive-isotope medication doses, and complete imaging exams based on written physician orders, department protocols, and institutional safety standards.
Represent VCU Health System’s goals, values, and vision; comply with applicable regulatory standards and health system and department policies, procedures, processes, and guidelines; and resolve basic service-delivery issues.
When assigned lead-technologist functions, coordinate work assignments, workflow, and staffing for an assigned shift or area; serve as a clinical or technical resource; and provide training.