Radiographer II CT

DRISCOLL HEALTH PLAN•Corpus Christi, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Driscoll Children’s Hospital is a 191-bed tertiary care center offering 32 medical and 13 surgical specialties, serving 31 South Texas counties. The hospital emphasizes compassion, innovation, and technology, with core values of Compassion, Advocacy, Respect, Excellence, and Stewardship. This role involves utilizing ionizing radiation and sophisticated computer-assisted technology to produce and evaluate computed tomographic images and related data for medical diagnosis. The CT Radiographer is expected to use ethical judgment and critical thinking skills. Under the supervision of the CT Coordinator and in collaboration with Radiologists, the position assists with the daily technical operations of Diagnostic CT. The CT Technologist is expected to stay informed of departmental and institutional developments by participating in meetings and committees, perform duties of a Radiographer I, and maintain clinical competency in CT and Radiography.

Requirements

Associate's degree (A. A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school in radiologic technology.
2-3 years pediatric radiography/CT experience in a hospital setting.
Registered Computerized Technologist (CT) – American Registry of Radiologic Technologists in Computerized Technology (ARRT-CT).
Registered with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists as a Registered Radiologic Technologist (RT-R) if performing radiography.
Current unlimited license with the Texas Medical Board as a Certified Medical Radiologic Technologist (CMRT) if performing radiography.
Current CPR Certification.
Ethical judgment and critical thinking skills.
Good communication, patient assessment, patient monitoring and patient care skills.
Age specific skills in dealing with the psychosocial, developmental and physical needs of the patient.
Oral and written communication skills.
Ability to administer first-aid and provide life support in emergency situations.
Ability to identify life threatening situations and respond appropriately.

Responsibilities

Perform radiography if licensed with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists as a radiographer (ARRT RT(R) and with the Texas Medical Board as a Certified Medical Radiologic Technologist (CMRT).
Maintain utmost level of confidentiality at all times.
Adhere to hospital policies and procedures.
Demonstrate business practices and personal actions that are ethical and adhere to corporate compliance and integrity guidelines.
Assist in maintaining a quality assurance program that includes quality control procedures to insure safe and effective equipment operation, including electrical and mechanical hazards.
Document equipment performance service, maintenance.
Maintain a high degree of accuracy in positioning and exposure techniques.
Maintain knowledge of and practice good radiation safety techniques.
Maintain sensitivity to the mental and physical needs of the patient through good communication, patient assessment, patient monitoring and patient care skills.
Reconfirm patient identification and verify procedure requested or prescribed.
Use good age specific skills in dealing with the psychosocial, developmental and physical needs of the patient.
Use consistent and appropriate techniques to gather relevant information from the medical record, patient, family and other health care providers.
Verify patient LMP status when appropriate.
Determine whether the patient has been appropriately prepared for the examination.
Assess factors that may contraindicate the requested procedure, such as medication, renal status, insufficient preparation, etc.
Analyze information obtained during the assessment phase and develop an action plan for completing the procedure.
Use professional judgment to adapt imaging procedures to improve diagnostic quality.
Consult appropriate medical personnel to determine a modified action plan when necessary.
Determine the need for accessory equipment.
Review the medical record and the physician’s request to determine optimal scanning parameters for suspected pathology.
Verify that the patient/family have consented to the procedure and fully understands any risks, benefits, alternatives and follow-up.
When appropriate, verify that written consent has been obtained.
Provide accurate explanations and instructions at an appropriate time and at a level the patient/family can understand.
Administer first-aid and provide life support in emergency situations.
Assess the patient’s physical and mental status during the procedure.
Measure the procedure against established protocols and guidelines.
Identify any exceptions to the expected outcome.
Document any exceptions clearly and accurately.
Review images to determine if additional scans will enhance the diagnostic value of the procedure.
Notify appropriate health provider when immediate clinical response is necessary, based on procedural findings and patient condition.
Reassess the patient’s mental and physical status prior to discharge from the practitioner’s care.
Transfer images to “hard copy” or to PACS system as appropriate.
Archive images to data storage devices according to established guidelines.
Review all diagnostic data for completeness and accuracy.
Ensure that all procedural requirements are in place to achieve a quality diagnostic exam.
Refer questions about diagnosis, prognosis or treatment to the patient’s physician.
Assist in counseling staff in regard to performance, conduct attendance and other related matters.
Prepare CT staff work/call schedule.
Ensure that new staff receives proper orientation and timely performance/competency evaluations.
Supervise the technical aspects of CT procedures and maintain prescribed standards.
Assist in developing/maintaining CT procedure manual.
Serve as a resource and support person for CT staff.
Assist in resolving inter and inter departmental problems relating to diagnostic CT section.
Perform weekly inventory of area supplies, order needed items via computer.
Prepare purchase order requests for non-inventory items, forward to Director for authorization prior to sending to M.M. for purchase.
Maintain the section in full compliance with all requirements of Federal and State regulatory agencies.
Provide basic patient care and comfort including good infection control practices, including good hand washing technique, appropriate use of standard precautions.
Consistently provide the best image quality within the limitations of available resources and patient clinical status.
Recognize significant clinical information and historical facts from the patient and medical record, which may affect the examination.
Recognize the appearance of normal and abnormal anatomical structures.
Recognize examination findings that may require immediate clinical response and notifies the interpreting and/or other appropriate physician.
Identify any artifact producing objects and removes whenever possible.
Identify life threatening situations and responds appropriately.
Use oral and written communication skills to interact with interpreting physician.
Assists in resolving inter and interdepartmental problems relating to diagnostic CT.
Performs all duties of Radiographer-CT and Radiographer I.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Ensures that self and CT staff members assist in the collection of pertinent information regarding equipment, the procedures and the work environment.
Ensures that self and CT staff assist in the collection of pertinent data regarding departmental Process Improvement activities.
Ensures that services are performed in a safe environment in accordance with established guidelines.
Ensures that equipment maintenance and operation comply with established guidelines.
Assesses equipment to determine acceptable performance based on established guidelines.
Reviews protocol and procedure manuals as well as Safety, Risk Management, Radiation Safety and other pertinent manuals on at least an annual basis.
Analysis information collected and recommends whether changes need to be made to equipment, procedures or work environment; discusses any recommended changes with appropriate supervisor.
Ensures all QA checks are completed in a timely manner.
Assists in performing departmental safety inspections.
Reports equipment malfunction to service vendors, ensuring all required documentation is completed.
Effectively administer performance management system including: Developmental feedback, goal setting, assesses competency, progressive discipline.
Maintain strong knowledge of and effectively administer hospital policies and procedures.
Responsible for sound management of human resources.
Make and implement decisions compatible with organizational goals.
Maintain composure, effectiveness, and flexibility under pressure.
Participate in administrative on-call.