PD Specialty Tech

Summary

Specialty Tech is cross trained in multiple modalities floating across various Radiology departments, including General Radiography, CT, Bone Density and the opportunity to cross train in Mammography. Operate stationary and portable X-ray equipment to make radiographs of designated regions of the body. Operate bone densitometer to perform osteoporosis evaluation. Operate CT scanner to perform computed tomography studies of designated portion of the body. Prepare mammography unit and perform QC. Operate mammography unit to perform mammography studies.

Experience

• Minimum of 6 months preferred as a registered technologist in a Radiology Department of a general acute-care hospital

Education

• Completion of normal radiologic technology training in an AMA approved school (2 years) is required.

Licenses

• ARRT(R) required
• ARRT(CT) required within 12 months of hire

Essential Functions

General

1. Responsible for all pertinent information documented properly on the images  - name, ID number, ordering provider, date, technologist's initials, technique, position markers in view, etc. 
2. Make sure all positive cases are called to the ordering provider.
3. Responsible for  the care and safety of all patients in any radiologic area. Practice principles of radiation protection.  Minimize the radiation exposure to the patient, yourself , co-worker, etc. at all times. 
4. Provide for patient modesty, comfort and privacy.
5. Be discreet and respect confidentiality.
6. Perform exams in a confident and timely fashion.
7. Be able to adjust to patients differences such as body habitus, mental or physical disabilities, age, etc.
8. Inform radiology manager of any problems in the specialty departments.
9. Bring to the attention of the radiologist any special concerns or problems of the patient.  Encourage the radiologist to use real-time when needed and/or speak with the patient when needed.
10. Follow protocols in dealing with patients with infectious diseases.  Practice universal precautions and abide by OSHA regulations.
11. Be able to handle stressful situations in dealing with very difficult patients with mental instability and/or various handicaps.
12. Must be able to react quickly to emergency situations such as patient fainting, patient being unsteady, codes, etc.
13. Wear film badges and name badges while on duty.
14. Must be able to function in very low light levels to perform exams. 
     

Mammography

1. Position and instruct patients for various views of mammography, adjust radiographic equipment to correct settings for each view, produce radiographs of the highest technical quality and assume responsibilities of processing the radiographs. Be responsible for all pertinent information documented properly on the images – name, ID number, ordering provider, date, technologist’s initials, technique, position marker in view, degree of oblique angulation and MAS readout. 
2. Perform daily  quality control tests.  Follow protocol if tests fall out of range.  Log quality test results.
3. Perform daily checks on mammography unit. Perform other mammography QC as required: phantom checks, compression checks,  repeat analysis, daily, quarterly and yearly QC as needed, etc. Perform Epic mammography module duties as needed.  Assist with MQSA requirements with patient lay letters. 
4. Be able to explain all mammography procedures to patients including routine mammography, spot compression views, magnification, wire localizations, stereotactic biopsies,  ultrasound of the breast, galactograms, etc.  Be knowledgeable in BSE (breast self-examination) to teach and explain the importance to patients and answer questions or concerns.
5. Must be knowledgeable in special views and special procedures such as wire localizations, stereotactic  and galactograms.  Assist the radiologist in special procedures.
6. Practice principles of radiation protection. Minimize the radiation exposure to the patient, yourself, co-workers, etc. at all times.
7. Properly clean detector  and compression paddle between patients.
8. Keep mammography room neat, clean and stocked with pamphlets, deodorant packets, explanation and questionnaire sheets, etc.
9. Make sure importance of  proper compression is explained  to the patient in obtaining optimal quality images to detect tiny abnormalities. 
10. Have knowledge of breast anatomy.
11. Daily watch for any defects on detector or compression paddles.
12. Be capable of scheduling mammograms.  Know definitions of screening and diagnostic mammograms.  When scheduling mammograms, get all information needed – screening or diagnostic, name and DOB, previous mammogram location and call for films, ordering provider, patient’s telephone number, remind patient not to use powder or deodorant, etc.
13. Be responsible for all pertinent information on ordering request and report form: screening or diagnostic, where and when of previous mammograms, diagnosis, technologist signature, number of films, time completed, occurrence of anything out of the ordinary, properly charged on billing slip, etc.
14. Assist in preparing for mammography accreditation. Assist with MSQA responsibilities.

BMD

1. Operate bone densitometer to perform osteoporosis evaluation.
2. Perform daily quality control tests on Bone Densitometer unit and document.  If unit out of range perform a 2nd test.  If values remain out of range do not perform patients.  Contact service engineer.
3. Perform weight and height measurements on patient prior to exam.   
4. Review patient history and document on history sheet.  Determine patient has not taken calcium tablet today. 
5. Position and instruct patients for various portions of the body to be evaluated by BMD unit for osteoporosis testing.
6. Analyze BMD study and print reports. Be sure study is archived.  QC study in PACS prior to ending exam in Epic.
7. Properly clean BMD unit between patients.
8. If patient being held for study document in patient holding log.

CT

1. Perform daily QC and warm up of CT unit prior to patient care. Initiate the scanning procedure at the proper anatomical level.
2. Checks prescription/request, provisional diagnosis, hospital chart and patient identification.
3. Explains the procedure to the patient, means of communication during scan and procedure to follow, if emergency arises during scanning procedure.
4. Advises the patient of the possibility and/or necessity of an intravenous contrast injection and the precautions or contra indications involved with such an injection. Informs ER doctor of CT injection prior to injection.
5. Prepares room and equipment according to anatomical area to be scanned, per request and history. Change to appropriate gantry wedges, select kilovoltage and proper detector levels.
6. Selects correct computer program and initiate scan maintaining visual and/or audible communication with the patient during the scanning procedure.
7. Operates laser imaging cameras, selecting appropriate picture format and processes these in the C.T. section.

Other Duties

1. Perform all functions of Radiologic Technologist job.
2. Perform required number of exams as needed for MSQA, accreditations and certifications.
3. Obtain proper continuing education requirements as needed for specialty certifications.
4. Demonstrate a willingness to accept non-routine work assignments, as appropriate.

Joining the Guthrie team allows you to become a part of a tradition of excellence in health care. In all areas and at all levels of Guthrie, you’ll find staff members who have committed themselves to serving the community.

The Guthrie Clinic is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Guthrie Clinic is a non-profit, integrated, practicing physician-led organization in the Twin Tiers of New York and Pennsylvania. Our multi-specialty group practice of more than 500 physicians and 302 advanced practice providers offers 47 specialties through a regional office network providing primary and specialty care in 22 communities. Guthrie Medical Education Programs include General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Anesthesiology and Orthopedic Surgery Residency, as well as Cardiovascular, Gastroenterology and Pulmonary Critical Care Fellowship programs. Guthrie is also a clinical campus for the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine.