Radiologic Technologist

JOB TITLE: Radiographer JOB CODE: 5132 DEPARTMENT: Radiology PAY GRADE: 724 IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: DEFINITION: The Radiographer conducts and assists personnel in the performance of radiologic examinations. Is able to provide patient care activities to include adult pediatric and neonatal patients. Responsible for the proper utilization of Radiology Information System as described in the RIS Policy and Procedure. EDUCATION: REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS (IF APPLICABLE): MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Meets requirements for registry by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists or are attending their second year in an accredited Radiology program. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 2 years experience working in a radiology department. High School or GED PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES: Participates and implements age specific care and interaction. Employee has attended departmental orientation (training) and annual inservice education for age specific training and implements in work area what was learned in age specific training. Prepares room/equipment for radiologic examinations. Has a good knowledge base of department procedure protocols and physician/surgeons requirements for room or equipment setup for individual examinations. Can set up sterile trays according to physician protocol. Knows where supplies are located for individual exams. Proper Patient Identification. Uses two forms of ID to identify proper patient; Patient name and birth date. Compares two ID forms on patient wrist band to paperwork (requisition). Adheres to HIPPA rules and regulations. Keeps pertinent information confidential when at all possible. Does not speak about patient information unless necessary to complete a specific task or provide information to another health care provider in regards to the patients care. Prepares and positions patients for radiologic examinations according to established departmental procedures. Positions and explains procedure with confidence and reassures patient to alleviate fears or concerns they may have. Positions patient to provide routine or non-routine views based on patient condition. Operates equipment as necessary for completion of the specific examination. Demonstrates knowledge of proper technique and equipment functions to optimize quality of exams and produce diagnostic radiographs on all patients. Can operate all radiologic equipment when the radiologist or physician is working with a sterile examination. Prepares opaque media as necessary for special examinations. Completes consent form for intravenous contrast agent with the patient and faxes it to the Pharmacy for Pharmacist approval OR. Discusses patient s diagnosis and past medical history with Radiologist or referring physician to determine whether or not contrast material can be administered. Anticipates and determines possibility of potential reaction. Analyze patient s condition following administration of media. Completes radiographic procedures on nursing divisions and in surgery. Utilizes and transports portable machine or C-arm equipment to various patient floors and surgery rooms and does exam requested which may include using grids or fluoroscopy. Assists the radiologist or surgeon in preparing for and during fluoroscopic and other special examinations. Utilizing a lead apron during fluoroscopy for radiating protection. Gives patient barium to drink or insert enema tips and pushes contrast media at direction of radiologist or physician. Helps set up special trays and gives quality patient care before during and after exam. Anticipates patient needs and establishes rapport with patient and family. Explains procedures to patient and family and gains their confidence. Assesses whether patient may need any additional comfort items such as a blanket pillow cart or emesis basin. Assesses patient ability to be positioned correctly for routine view and makes necessary adjustments when required. Able to assess patient pain interfering with imaging procedure makes appropriate physician contact for intervention. Provides patients and families both pre and post procedure information. Utilizes knowledge of exam to help patients and families to understand what the particular exam will be like and the possible precautions and adverse reactions that the patient could foresee. Explain how to take care of their self after each particular exam. Monitor the patient s condition before during and after the procedure. Takes blood pressure vital signs such as respirations heart rate and various pulses of arm or leg when need arises. Ensure that any monitoring equipment continues to function properly while the patient is in your care. If monitoring equipment must be removed during the exam technologist is responsible for notifying the proper departments. Responsible for connecting monitors as soon as exam is complete and notifying the proper departments upon completion. Stays alert to monitor patient s medical condition and quickly obtains medical assistance necessary via department RN or the event of a serious or life threatening condition; is able to properly activate a hospital Code Blue and administer CPR until life support code team arrives. Performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Is knowledgeable in CPR training and certified to do mouth-to-mouth reviving of a patient or compression of chest when the need arises. Maintains CPR certification and take continuing education classes to remain up-to-date on any changes in CPR training. Transports patients to and from Radiology Department. Pushes wheelchair or cart to patient s floor ER or SCU. Lifts or helps patient to transportation vehicle and transports to and from Radiology Department. Upon completion of exam transports patient back to their room. Ensures all patient care items are managed properly i.e. IV oxygen telemetry etc. Signs patient in and out of unit. Practices proper radiation protection methods. Uses proper self protection equipment when exposure is possible. Provides proper protection for patients based on current studies where it does not interfere with anatomy of interest. Provides proper protection for and/or ensures that all people in an exposure area are properly protected; i.e. ER trauma surgery non-technical assisting with portable. Keeps current on evolving radiation protection practices. Proficiency in operating equipment. Responsible for demonstrating proficiency in operation of all diagnostic and fluoroscopic equipment according to the manufacturer s specifications and departmental proficiency standards along with the expected standards set forth by the Radiologist and Chief Technologist. Technologist is responsible for passing all periodic equipment proficiency checks by Chief Technologist to ensure continuing proficiency. Possesses adequate knowledge to properly troubleshoot the x-ray equipment and film processor to identify and explain non-functioning occurrences. Is capable in determining basic malfunction of equipment and how to explain it to maintenance personnel. Is familiar with major circuit breaker locations and on/off operations of equipment. Teaches and oversees student technologists. Assists and instructs student technologist in proper performance of exams. Ensure patient care and radiation protection is practiced at all times. Instruct on and ensure students complete proper reports. Show students where to get supplies and how to stock rooms. Supply/stock x-ray exam rooms. Ensures x-ray room he/she is to use is properly stocked for variety of examinations. When appropriate ensures dark room(s) is stocked. Ensures portable x-ray machine/C-arm has necessary film and radiation protection devices. Performs image processing via computer radiography system. Enters/selects patient procedure information; selects correct exam name and views. Reviews images for acceptable parameters; anatomy density. Sends completed images to Radiologist via PACS. Transmits images via PACS to various workstations or physicians as required. Prepares exam request by computer (RIS) or manual method. Prepares request based on physician requirements. Properly logs exams when necessary. Performs record keeping duties such as completing reports on examination statistical reports and the like. Ensures all procedural charges as well as inventory items are entered into the Radiology Information System for accurate charging. Revises all exam requisitions any time it does not exactly match the exam that was performed to ensure correct reporting and exam charges. Obtains clinical information that is helpful in diagnosis and enters necessary pertinent information in RIS. Completes statistical reporting elements as required. Assures 100% accuracy of information. PACS. Logs on to system and can retrieve patient information in PACS. Adds pertinent clinical information in the study comment field to assist with the diagnosis of an exam. Sends images from PACS to appropriate destination. Copies exam information from PACS to CD/VHS/Film. Performs filing/clerical duties such as obtaining previous films and generating the absence of a file room clerk the technologist is responsible for working up images to be interpreted by radiologist. Secures and provides previous radiologic images to radiologist/physician as requested. Ensures pertinent clinical information is provided on PACS to aid in the absence of a front desk clerk the technologist is responsible for working up any outpatient or inpatient examination requisition in order to provide prompt patient care. Schedules exams. Correlates prep and exam times on outpatients with the doctor s office Radiology front desk and One-Call scheduling department. Correlates exam preps and times with nursing station other departments within radiology and other departments in the hospital. Meets continuing education requirements. Will complete all continuing education requirements on the Care Learning web site. Will maintain good and current working knowledge of departmental and hospital policies and procedures by attending in-services watching videos and reading literature and memos on instructional classes. Technologist will maintain current CPR certifications. Communication. Communicates in a positive and helpful manner with hospital staff physicians and patients. Schedules to be on call. Takes call on rotational basis. Carries beeper and is available 24 hours a day during that week on call for emergency purposes. Responds in an efficient and timely manner on all calls. SPECIFIC UNIT/AREA RESPONSIBILITIES: WORKING CONDITIONS: Sitting for long periods of time. Must be able to work in stressful situations. Exposure to diseases and foul odors. Exposure to hazardous chemicals. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: HAND AND ARM USE: 1. Must be able to utilize hands to write and use computer keyboard. 2. Must be able to push wheelchairs or carts and handle IV poles and oxygen tanks. 3. Must be able to operate all diagnostic radiology equipment. LIFTING AND CARRYING: 1. Must be able to carry medical equipment up to 50 pounds. 2. Must be able to lift 300-pount patients with assistance in and out of bed. PUSHING AND PULLING: 1. Must be able to manipulate 300-pound patients in and out of a wheelchair or cart onto examination table. STANDING/WALKING/SITTING/CLIMBING: Must be able to stand approximately 2 hours per day to file reports. Must be able to walk throughout the entire hospital and back to the Radiology department. Must be able to sit for periods of time in excess of two hours. Must be able to climb four flights of stairs and utilize step stool. SENSE OF TOUCH: 1. Must be able to handle patients gently. 2. Must be able to feel equipment overheating. HEARING: Must be able to hear alarms conversations ringing telephones overhead speakers and two-way intercom system between patient and operator. VISION: Must be able to use vision to read handwriting computer screens directional signs throughout the hospital and set numerical techniques of x-ray equipment. BODY MOVEMENTS: Must be able to bend/stoop to position any equipment utilized by the patient. Must be able to twist to move patients and equipment. Must be able to squat to move departmental equipment. MENTAL REQUIREMENTS: MATHEMATICS: Must be able to add subtract multiply and divide whole numbers. MEMORY: Must be able to remember general and specific instructions and job requirements. LANGUAGE ABILITY: READING: Must be able to read and relay medical information. WRITING: Must be able to take medical history and pertinent information to assist Radiologist. SPEAKING: Must be able to verbally communicate clearly and effectively with fellow workers patients and physicians. REASONING: Must be able to interpret and follow hospital and departmental policies and procedures. Job Description Approval: This job description has been reviewed and approved as current by the Department Director:

Shift: weekend shift

Specialty Type: Diagnostic Imaging

Sub Specialties: Radiologic Technologist

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