Radiologic Technologist

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Provides health care services, applying x-ray energy to assist in diagnosis or treatment. Performs radiographic procedures and related techniques, producing images for the interpretation by; or at the request of a licensed practitioner. Exercises professional judgment in performance of services and maintains a demeanor complementary to medical ethics. Provides appropriate patient care and recognizes patient conditions essential for successful completion of the procedure.

$35,000 SIGN-ON BONUS FOR NEW AVAILABLE EMPLOYEES

Starting Pay: $25.06 to $37.59 DOE if RT(R)

Starting Pay: $29.71 to $40.11 DOE if RT(R)(CT)

Full-time benefited position working 72 hours per pay period. Days of work are variable with variable hours. Weekend work is as needed.  Holiday work, and night call are all variable.

JOB FUNCTIONS

• Works under the supervision of the Department Manager in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating the care of patients including those in the following age groups: infants, pediatrics, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics.
• Performs diagnostic radiographic procedures.
• Using guidelines developed by the Pharmacy Department and working under the supervision of the Radiologist, dispenses CT oral contrast preps to patients 
• Works with the PACS system to acquire, display, retrieve, and store digital images. Assists in providing PACS training for physicians and hospital staff.
• Uses DR (direct radiography) to produce good quality digital radiographic images.
• Corroborates patient's clinical history with procedure, assuring information is documented and available for use by a licensed practitioner.
• Properly identifies patient, using at least two patient identifiers when providing care, treatment or services.
• Prepares patient for procedures; providing instructions to obtain desired results, gain cooperation, and minimize anxiety.
• Selects and operates radiography equipment, imaging and/or associated accessories to successfully perform procedures.
• Positions patient to best demonstrate anatomic area of interest, respecting patient ability and comfort.
• Determines radiographic technique exposure factors.
• Applies principles of radiation protection to minimize exposures to patient, self, and others.
• Evaluates radiographs or images for technical quality, assuring proper identification is recorded.
• Assumes responsibility for provision of physical and psychological needs to patients during procedures.
• Practices aseptic techniques as necessary.
• Is responsible to
• Review patient appointments; assumes responsibility for accuracy of scheduled procedures and works with clerical staff to correct any discrepancies to ensure effective and efficient operation of the department
• Checks to assure prior films and reports are available and works with clerks to obtain when needed
• Practices AIDET and uses HEAT techniques to promote patient/customer satisfaction.
• Understands methods and is capable of performing venipunctures.
• In agreement with state statue(s) and/or where institutional policy permits, prepares, identifies and/or administers contrast media and/or medications as prescribed by a licensed practitioner.
• Verifies informed consent for, and assists a licensed practitioner with interventional procedures.
• Assist licensed practitioner with fluoroscopic and specialized interventional radiography procedures.
• May perform non-interpretive fluoroscopic procedures as appropriate and consistent with applicable state statues.
• Initiates basic life support action when necessary.
• Provides patient education.
• Assists in maintaining records, respecting confidentiality and established policy.
• Assumes responsibility for assigned area and reports equipment malfunction.
• Provides input for equipment purchase and supply decisions.
• Provides practical instruction for students and/or other health care professionals.
• Participates in the department's quality assessment and improvement plan. May be responsible for specific quality control duties in the assigned areas.
• Practices Standards of Behavior at all times.
• May be responsible for control of inventory and purchase of supplies for the assigned area.
• Maintains knowledge of and observes Standard Precautions.
• Uses proper hand washing technique and follows hand hygiene guidelines to reduce the transmission of infection agents to patients and staff.
• Understands and applies patient relations skills.
• Pursues appropriate continuing education.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested.
• Follows organization’s process for effective “hand off” communication between nursing units and other departments that includes up-to-date information regarding patient’s care, treatment and services, condition and any recent or anticipated changes and includes interactive communication with an opportunity for questioning between the giver and receiver of information.   
• Maintains confidentiality of patient information for HIPAA compliance.
• Works with other staff in the department to maintain a state of Joint Commission readiness.
• Follows guidelines outlined in the Corporate Compliance Plan and Code of Conduct.

If applied as a supplemental job description, the corresponding pay grade may not apply and may be dependent on certification. 

COMPENDIUM OF LEARNING

The art of science of radiography requires that the individual achieve specific knowledge and skills for a defined scope of practice.

Learning experiences, clinical practicum, and curriculum requirement shall be structured for the health care professional to successfully demonstrate the level of competency necessary for comprehensive, extended, or limited practice in the following areas:

• Computer Literacy and Applications: An understanding of generic terminology, keyboard operation, menu selection strategies, and logistics of program flow.
• Human Structure and Function: General anatomy, anatomical relationships, organ and system functions in order to perform accurate radiographic examination for the defined discipline and recognize the area of interest on desired images.
• Medical Ethics: Legal considerations which impact upon the scope of practice, respecting an established code of ethics and risk management.
• Medical Terminology: An understanding of disease descriptions, abbreviations, symbols, terms or phrases necessary to successfully communicate with other health care professionals.
• Pathology: Knowledge of disease and abnormalities which influence performance or outcome of a radiographic procedure.
• Patient Care: Attention and concern for the physical and psychological needs of the patient. The individuals should recognize a life threatening condition and implement basic life sustaining actions.
• Positioning: Accurate placement of the body, respecting patient’s comfort, ability and safety to achieve prescribed results and best demonstrate the anatomy of interest. Techniques to physically manipulate and apply radiographic equipment to produce various projections and/or desired image.
• Principles of Radiographic Exposure: Appropriate selection of all technical factors and equipment to produce a quality diagnostic image.
• Quality Control: Preventive maintenance and knowledge of equipment capabilities, calibration of and care of equipment within operating standards, sensitometry characteristics, and monitoring of image processing systems for accuracy and consistency.
• Radiation Physics: Atomic structure, beam quality, radiation interactions, and the function and operations of various generator components.
• Radiation Protection: The use of beam restricting devices, patient shielding techniques, proper screen-film combinations, accurate assessment and implementation of appropriate exposure factors, and knowledge of applicable governmental regulations to minimize radiation exposure.
• Radiobiology: An understanding of beam formation and radiation interaction with matter as it relates to genetic and somatic effects.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION: (RADIOLOGY TECHNOLOGIST)

1. PREPARATION AND TRAINING - Certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in radiology and licensure from the state of North Dakota is required. Graduate students must obtain certification within six months of their graduation date. Must be able to perform CT procedures or be willing to cross-train in CT and obtain ARRT advanced CT certification within one year of hire. Position requires completion of BLS CPR. Position is required to attend Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training in the appropriate timeframe according to department orientation checklist.
2. WORK EXPERIENCE - As required for course completion.
3. ATTENDANCE - Punctual and regular attendance is an essential responsibility of each employee at JRMC. Employee are expected to report to work as scheduled, on time and prepared to start working. Employees are also expected to remain at work for their entire work schedule. 
4. ANALYTICAL ABILITY - Must be able to judge quality of radiographs and perform duties within established procedures.
5. INDEPENDENT JUDGEMENT - Exercises a high level of independent judgment without direct supervision particularly in trauma or code situations.
6. CONTACTS WITH OTHERS - Frequent contact with patients, families, physician, and other medical personnel requires a high level of interpersonal skills. Must exercise social sensitivity, discretion, and tact in all forms of communication.
7. SUPERVISING THE WORK OF OTHERS - Works independently and is responsible for own work.
8. RESPONSIBILITY FOR WELFARE OF OTHERS - Must be aware of potential dangers created by errors in judgment. Must safeguard patient rights and respect cultural, psychosocial, and spiritual values. Must protect privacy and confidentiality.
9. MENTAL/VISUAL EFFORT - Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner. Must demonstrate physical and emotional ability to meet agreed upon work schedule and performance standards required by the position. Duties require concentrated attention on demand, manual skill requirements; visual accuracy for film review, and working in situations that may at times be stressful.
10. WORKING CONDITIONS - Works with state-of-the-art equipment in clean, well-lighted rooms. Makes contact with patients under wide variety of circumstances. Participation and compliance with JRMC Safety Management Program is required. Position is subject to frequent interruptions. Work rotation includes weekends, holidays, evenings, and call-back. OSHA job classification: This position is defined as Category I in which the employee has exposure to blood borne pathogens. Position requires exposure to patients with infectious diseases and odors. Must practice aseptic techniques and observe standard precautions.
11. PHYSICAL AND SENSORY EFFORT - Frequent standing or walking. Lifts, positions, pushes and/or transfers patients and/or equipment with weight up to 50 pounds. Frequent reaching, stooping, bending, and kneeling. Requires some degree of finger dexterity.
12. PROMOTION - No formal line of promotion.
13. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENT - These are physical requirements of the position that may be performed as part of daily duties. Inability to meet one or more of these physical requirements will not automatically disqualify a candidate or employee from the position. Upon request for a reasonable accommodation, JRMC may be able to adjust or excuse one or more of these requirements, depending on the requirement, the essential functions to which it relates, and the proposed accommodation.

EMPLOYEE REQUIREMENTS

• Standing - Frequently
• Walking - Frequently
• Sitting - Rarely
• Hands and Finger Dexterity - Continuously 
• Reaching with Hands and Arms - Continuously 
• Climbing - Rarely
• Stooping/Kneeling/Crouching/Crawling - Continuously 
• Hearing/Listening - Continuously
• Tasting or Smelling - Rarely
• Working Inside - Frequently
• Working Outside - Frequently
• Working in Extreme Heat - Frequently
• Working in Extreme Cold - Frequently
• Working with Hazardous Materials - Rarely
• Noise - Occasionally
• Working in Dirt/Dust - Frequently

LIFTING / CARRYING / PUSHING / PULLING:

• Up to 10 pounds - Occasionally
• Up to 25 pounds - Rarely
• Up to 50 pounds - Rarely
• Up to 75 pounds - Rarely
• Up to 100 pounds - Rarely
• Over 100 pounds - Rarely