Radiographer I

UPMC•Altoona, PA

About The Position

The Radiographer I performs routine and special radiographic procedures in accordance with the Department Procedure Manual. The role selects and operates imaging equipment and chooses appropriate technical factors for individual patients, transfers and positions patients, and provides protection in accordance with prescribed safety standards. It also includes assisting physicians and radiologists with contrast administration, supporting procedures in surgery, and operating mobile X-ray equipment. The position maintains accurate patient and examination records using radiology information systems and PACS, performs assigned quality assurance activities, and keeps equipment, rooms, and supplies clean, orderly, and ready for use. The radiographer may instruct ancillary personnel, assists with first aid as necessary, follows sterile techniques to prevent cross-contamination, and adapts care and instruction to patients at different life stages and health states. This is a full-time day/evening position with weekend and holiday rotation and on-call requirements. The role rotates within the department or other areas as required. UPMC advertises a $10,000 sign-on bonus and a monthly loan repayment program for graduates from December 2023 onward, offering $9,000 over three years.

Requirements

High school graduation or equivalent.
Graduation from a radiology technology program.
Manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
Ability to adapt to all types of patient conditions.
CPR or BLS meeting AHA standards, including didactic instruction and skills demonstration, within 30 days of hire.
American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) registration; if not registered at employment, obtain the radiography registry within six months of hire for hires as of January 1, 2025. Diagnostic technologists hired before January 1, 2025, must obtain registry within 12 months of hire or transfer.
Required credentials and clearances: ARRT Certificate; Basic Life Support (BLS) or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR); Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal; Act 33 with renewal; Act 34 with renewal; Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal.

Responsibilities

Use protective devices properly, including sponges, Pigg-o-stat, table straps, and litter side rails.
Provide instruction in assigned areas to ancillary personnel and answer questions about examinations and appropriate procedures.
Maintain cleanliness and order in rooms and work areas; clean equipment between patients and store supplies properly.
Select patient-specific technical factors and operate equipment as directed.
Use tracking equipment to maintain accurate records and properly charge patient examinations.
Assist with surgical procedures by setting up and operating equipment and taking radiographs as directed by the surgeon.
Safely transfer and position patients, ensuring correct positioning and minimizing repeat images.
Protect patients according to prescribed safety standards, including shielding when appropriate and asking females of child-bearing age about pregnancy.
Perform assigned quality assurance activities.
Perform routine and special procedures according to the Department Procedure Manual.
Maintain and develop films using the CR system and ensure films contain correct patient information.
Rotate within the department or other areas and shifts as required, and report to assigned areas.
Set up and operate mobile X-ray equipment and manipulate portable equipment to obtain routine images.
Maintain required records and document information on requisitions and other records.
Assist physicians with opaque media and contrast administration, and inform the radiologist of patient history.
Secure and return supplies and restock rooms and film magazines.
Provide first aid as necessary and know where to find necessary supplies.
Use PACS to review and acquire current and prior images and access accession numbers.
Use the radiology information system to work with interactive documents, scan documents, charge and revise procedures, and perform procedures.
Adapt clinical treatment and instruction to patients across life stages and varied states of health and disease; attend hospital in-service programs and maintain CPR certification.
Practice sterile techniques and prevent cross-contamination.
Work day/evening shifts, rotate weekends and holidays, and participate in on-call coverage.