Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Job Description

The position in contingent upon award

This position supports the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Critical Staffing Program by providing on-site Nuclear Medicine Technologist services at the Syracuse Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). The Nuclear Medicine Technician (Nuclear Medicine Technologist) performs diagnostic nuclear medicine examinations and supports therapeutic nuclear medicine services as required by the contract, while maintaining patient safety, privacy, and radiation safety. The role includes preparing doses of radioactive pharmaceuticals and non-radioactive pharmaceuticals;

performing nuclear medicine examinations according to established service procedures; monitoring patients during examinations; and ensuring accurate documentation within the VA electronic health record.

• Prepare the patient for nuclear medicine procedures by assessing the patient’s needs and providing pre-test patient education (explaining procedures, answering questions), providing reassurance and support throughout the procedure, and confirming understanding of discharge instructions before the patient leaves the care area.
• Perform diagnostic nuclear medicine examinations according to the service’s procedures, including locating and recording internal elements of the body.
• Monitor the patient for potentially dangerous physical and emotional changes during the examination; recognize abnormal changes and immediately notify the physician.
• Follow all established patient safety and infection control standards of care, and report patient safety events (including medication errors, falls, and patient injury) as required by the facility and contract, including timely documentation and reporting to the Contracting Officer’s Representative.
• Perform examinations expected for Syracuse VAMC nuclear medicine coverage (examples listed in the contract): – Bone scan; bone marrow; brain scan; cardiac stress – Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak study – Gastric emptying; gastrointestinal (GI) bleed scan – Hemangioma scan; hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) study – Liver/spleen scan; lung perfusion and ventilation scan – Octreotide therapy – Parathyroid study; thyroid scan/uptake – Metastatic search – Iodine-131 therapy (inpatient and outpatient)
• Expected workload includes approximately 4–8 nuclear medicine cases per day.
• Pharmaceutical Preparation and Administration Support
• Prepare doses of radioactive pharmaceuticals and non-radioactive pharmaceuticals.
• Record pharmaceutical doses accurately.
• Perform quality control measures to help ensure optimal quality images and reduce artifacts; take corrective action where appropriate.
• Recognize equipment malfunctions and readjust equipment or refer for repair, in accordance with local procedures.
• Prepare digital images for interpretation by the radiologist and ensure electronic images and reports are transmitted digitally via the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS).
• Clean and disinfect equipment and workspace per standard operating procedure.
• Log data into patient information systems and update file systems for tests performed.
• Document care in the VA electronic health record in accordance with facility requirements. For any case that is delayed, write a note in the medical record specifying the reason for delay and a plan to complete the study.
• Maintain confidentiality of patient information in accordance with applicable privacy and health information requirements, and do not disclose patient information outside VA without permission.
• In areas that produce or work with radiation, practice “as low as reasonably achievable” (ALARA), use proper radiation shielding and monitoring devices, and wear a dose badge.
• Report any high-dose patient exposure to the facility Radiation Safety Officer.
• Follow national and local guidelines, including those of the Veterans Administration National Health Physics Program.
• Perform services in accordance with ethical, professional, and technical standards consistent with VA policy, regulations, procedures, and protocol.
• Completes required organizational compliance education, including assigned requirements that are…