Nuclear Medicine Tech

Nebraska Methodist Hospital•Fremont, NE

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

Nebraska Methodist Health System is seeking a Nuclear Medicine Tech to join their team. This role focuses on providing exceptional care to the communities they serve and the people they employ, fostering a culture of 'The Meaning of Care'. The position involves using a scanner to create images of various areas of a patient's body, primarily at the Methodist Physicians Clinic - Fremont Cardiology & Pulmonology, with availability to float to other greater Omaha locations. The role offers competitive pay, excellent benefits, and a supportive work environment.

Requirements

Must be a graduate of a nuclear medicine program from an accredited college.
Participates in mandatory in-services and continuing education programs as mandated by policies and procedures/external agencies and as directed by supervisor.
Certified to practice the specialty of Nuclear Medicine Technology (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) or Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT)) required.
Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) strongly preferred at time of hire, required within 3 months of hire.
Requires the ability to provide transportation to other campus locations within a reasonable timeframe. If on call, the reasonable timeframe is defined as within 20 minutes of the call.
Department of Transportation (DOT) Hazmat Radioactive Materials certification is required within 90 days of hire.
Strong interpersonal skills necessary to effectively communicate and interact with patients, family members, hospital personnel, and co-workers.
Able to organize and perform multiple tasks, problem-solve and prioritize work assignments.

Nice To Haves

Experience in related field preferred, but not mandatory.

Responsibilities

Follows manufacturer's recommendations for quality control of imaging equipment and recognizes defects on daily floods prior to patient use. Maintains complete QC records.
Evaluates the performance of cameras for: Detector Uniformity, Linearity evaluation, Spatial resolution checks, Sensitivity checks, SPECT QC: High count uniformity flood, center of rotation, energy correction, detector alignment, visible degradation.
Performs dose calibrator checks daily as well as survey meter checks.
Provides comfort and care to the patient before, during and after the procedure, including the monitoring of intravenous lines, oxygen supply and drains.
Exercises judgment to assess and respond to the patient's needs prior to, during, and after procedures and if necessary performs patient medication reconciliation.
Maintains proper communication with patients and behaves in a professional manner in consideration and observation of patient's rights.
Provides a safe environment for patients and staff in compliance with standard precaution policies.
Recognizes and responds to medical emergency conditions.
Reviews indication appropriateness and consults authorized to assure the proper study is ordered.
Verifies patient name, Date of Birth (DOB), Medical Record Number (MRN), last menstrual period and pregnancy/breast feeding status.
Obtains a pertinent medical history.
Assures the pre-study preparation has been completed prior to starting procedure.
Assures that informed consent has been obtained when necessary.
Ensures patient education is provided.
Checks patient clothing and linen for objects that may cause image artifacts.
Maintains adequate volume of medication and pharmaceuticals supplies.
Schedules patients in a timely manner, determining the best sequence for all patients.
Maintains records in Syntrac of patient doses, QC procedures, patient reports and other required data.
Establishes and/or verifies venipuncture access using aseptic technique.
Waits the appropriate length of time after administration of isotope to begin the imaging procedure.
Acquires images using established protocol with proper positioning to best demonstrate pathology and to adapt to the patient's limitations.
Reviews all images to assure that the correct information is supplied.
Prepares patients for placement of Electrocardiogram (ECG), recognizing and responding to any Electrocardiogram (ECG) changes, recognizing the parameters that indicate termination of cardiac stress study, and Electrocardiogram (ECG) patterns that are appropriate for image gating.
Performs data collection, processing and analysis in accordance with established protocols.
Performs computer data manipulations as required by standard nuclear medicine procedures (e.g. activity curve generation, quantitation, SPECT slice production).
Obtains and maintains sufficient Isotope in accordance with anticipated need and license possession limits.
Storage of isotopes is done in a manner consistent with labeled product safeguards and with radiation safety considerations.
Wipe testing is performed and documented upon receipt.
Records receipt of radioactive materials in Syntrac.
Follows Department of Transportation and radiation safety guidelines in the transport, receipt, and shipment of radioactivity.
Unit dose preparation includes measuring the radioactivity in the dose calibrator as well as physical appearance inspection noting color and clarity.
Dosage is compared against the identification label of the dose's immediate container (i.e. syringe).
Records use and/or disposition of all radioactive materials in Syntrac.
Labels vials and syringes as required by regulation.
Dispenses only within the prescribed dose limits outlined by the authorized user.
Maintains compliance with local, state, and federal regulations in radiation safety.
Keeps up to date on regulatory changes.
Notifies authorities when changes occur within the radiation safety program.
Maintains required records, posts appropriate signs.
Complies with regulations regarding receipt, disposal and usage of all radioactive materials.
Uses and reviews exposure levels monthly from personnel monitoring device (film badges).
Notifies proper authorities of excessive exposure upon occurrence.
Uses proper syringe shields and other shielding configurations to reduce radiation exposure to patients, personnel and public.
Performs and records weekly wipe testing along with daily surveys of the work environment.
Takes appropriate action if contamination is found.
Notifies the RSO when actions are required.
Keeps radioactive material for 10 half-lives prior to disposal.
Maintains long term and short term storage of radioactive material.
Thorough 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.
Educates the patient and family while practicing techniques that will minimize radiation exposure to the patient, general public and health care personnel.
Assists in the development of policies and procedures, actively participates in total quality management and process improvement.
Other duties as assigned.
Produces quality images to ensure accurate and timely interpretation by the radiologist by correctly labeling images with correct date, patient name, radiopharmaceutical, dosage, and properly storing images via Picture Archival Communication System (PACS) ensuring correct patient matching.