Lead Nuclear Cardiology Technologist

Scope of Position: The lead nuclear technologist works closely with the medical director to maintain the Waterbury Hospital Cardiac Diagnostic Center's IAC accreditation in nuclear medicine with responsibility to maintain acquisition of quality nuclear studies and stress testing services while monitoring performance measures to improve overall quality. The lead nuclear technologist is proficient in the use of nuclear imaging equipment and the management of radiopharmaceuticals, with strict adherence to regulatory compliance, used during diagnostic cardiac procedures such as stress testing, MUGA scans and cardiac viability studies in the adult and older adult populations. The lead nuclear tech works closely with other healthcare team members to facilitate exceptional patient care and efficient completion of diagnostic studies while also promoting optimal unit operations. Reports to the Assistant Director Cardiac Diagnostic Center.

Responsibilities:

• Actively anticipates and participates in regulatory surveys NRC, DPH, TJC demonstrating adherence to standards and preparedness.
• Assures renewal of annual DEEP nuclear license and maintenance of NRC authorized user license
• Maintain all protocols in accordance with IAC-nuclear guidelines; renewal per policy.
• Fulfills the role of IAC  "technical director"  for Nuclear per IAC standards. Coordinates and submits timely for IAC reaccreditation or audits
• Participates in scheduled RSO audits and corrects any RSO findings
• Represents CDC at Waterbury Hospital quarterly radiation safety meetings
• Meets quarterly with medical director or more often as needed or requested. Takes clinical direction from medical director working collaboratively.
• Provides general supervision of technical staff to assure compliance to IAC standards
• Assures proper operation and maintenance of Nuclear and hot lab equipment, availability of floods and radionuclear supplies and equipment.
• Prepare, document and inject radiopharmaceuticals for nuclear cardiology procedures
• Coordinates the ordering, receipt, usage, disposal and returning of radiopharmaceuticals by maintaining logs in accordance with NRC and state requirements ensuring compliance with radioactive materials license. Maintains sign-on to radiopharmaceutical pharmacy.
• Accepts after hours calls from schedulers or radiopharmaceutical supplier
• Performs nuclear imaging using gamma camera technology according to established protocols obtaining optimal images and processing images for physician reading. Properly stores data. Prepares CD of study as requested.
• Operates stress testing system, including entering demographic data, entering data and taking BP assisting stress lab nurses in performance and monitoring of test
• Perform quality control procedures on cameras, calibration instruments and radiopharmaceuticals.
• Properly identify and educate patient to the exam; including radiopharmaceuticals uses and precautions issuing document to patients of radioactivity exposure
• Provides for safe patient care maintaining equipment and working collaboratively and cooperatively with nuclear techs, stress lab staff and other CDC staff. Notified clinical engineering of equipment servicing needs.
• Maintains daily operations of the lab: staffing, scheduling, dropping charges and completion of required records. Maintains full caseload of patients.
• Provides technical training/mentoring/orientation as needed. Assists with staff interviewing and yearly competencies as requested.
• Coordinates IAC required medical staff QA at appropriate intervals as required
• Coordinates with medical director, medical staff, and technical staff to ensure quality patient care
• Maintains records of accumulated CME's, for all medical and technical staff; available upon request
• Participates in recommendations and planning for service enhancements
• Coordinates radiation badges for CDC
• Performs intravenous insertion
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

 Requirements:

• Graduate of an accredited nuclear medicine technology program.
• Certified nuclear medicine technologist by the NMTCB/CNMT or ARRT/N required
• Working knowledge of radiation safety
• BLS Certification
• General knowledge of cardiac dysrhythmias
• Compliance with IAC nuclear CE credits
• 3-5 years experience
• Experience with IAC nuclear accreditation/reaccreditation and working knowledge of IAC nuclear guidelines.
• Knowledge of nuclear medicine technology/procedures and principles including handling of radiopharmaceuticals and operation of imaging cameras and processing software
• Experience with cardiac SPECT
• Ability to work independently making technical decisions to obtain comprehensive and accurate information and convey clearly to physicians for diagnosis/treatment
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment including exposure to all patient elements, ie: blood borne pathogens, lifting, stretching, pulling of patients, pushing of stretchers. Prolonged standing and walking required.
• Must possess effective good communication, interpersonal and customer service skills
• Must have computer skills and ability to navigate programs applicable to Waterbury Hospital and IAC
• Perform automated functions that fall within job responsibility.