What are the responsibilities and job description for the MRI Technician Senior position at Kaiser Permanente?
Job Summary:
Under indirect supervision, performs Magnetic Resonance Imaging examinations; provides assistance to physician(s) during exam; recognizes and reports patient emergency situations in absence of nursing personnel; determines vital signs and administers cardiopulmonary resuscitation; maintains intravenous fluid, oxygen and other life support systems.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Performs specialized MRI studies; positions patients and provides immobilization means and patient counseling as needed; instructs patient of exam requirements before and throughout procedure by using excellent, above average communication skills; selects appropriate protocols by having knowledge to tailor scan of each patient while producing superior image quality.
- Interprets unusual tissue contract patterns and alters or adds protocols as necessary to enhance diagnosis using high level of judgment and clinical experience.
- Prepares hard copies from multiformat laser images; transfers images to magnetic tape for archival and storage.
- Maintains high level of knowledge of enormous amount of complex operation physics of Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
- Identifies potential equipment crisis by troubleshooting methods such as verifying proper connections of coils and lemo connectors; transmits and receives functions of coils by checking RF power and output.
- Exhausts all troubleshooting methods before contacting Chief MRI Technologist and/or service engineer; documents any errors or equipment malfunctions in service log when Chief Technologist is not available.
- Reviews requisitions and assembles patients records; prepares previous cases for physician review.
- Maintains daily records of exams.
- Communicates with referring physician and educates as necessary during site tours; remains able to educate and trains others under direct supervision of Chief MRI Technologist; promotes positive relationships with all referring physicians and staff members; provides assurance and information regarding MRI to curious individuals; maintains overall comprehensive knowledge of science of nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
- Receives and identifies patient; verifies preparation procedures are proper and in order; prevents potentially fatal accidents for all patients and visitors by acknowledging extreme safety hazards involved with MRI; protects visitors and patients from accidents by following established pre-screening methods on MRI questionnaire.
- Assures safety as well as comfort, physical and psychological needs of all patients throughout entire examination; explains MRI exam in detail at onset.
- Provides assistance to physician(s) during exam; recognizes and reports patient emergency situations in absence of nursing personnel; determines vital signs and administers cardiopulmonary resuscitation; maintains intravenous fluid, oxygen and other life support systems.
- Maintains service records, logs equipment malfunctions; reports and informs Chief MRI Technologist of service related problems.
- Orders and stocks materials for MRI department; logs ordered supplies on inventory sheet; issues and completes forms for ordering as needed.
- Performs scheduling duties for MRI department in absence of MRI clerk and MRI Chief Technologist.
- Assures all monitors used in MRI such as pulse oximeters, blood pressure monitors, anesthesia machine, oxygen tanks, suction machine, etc., are in operating order; discharges and recharges for drop-off and return of oxygen tanks; reports all equipment malfunctions appropriately.
- Under direction of Chief MRI Technologist, compiles statistical data for end of month MRI reports; computes information and logs all data and MRI EOM form.
- Chooses one case per month for educational purposes and technical evaluation; consults with MRI section Chief Radiologist to help obtain specific points on interests; relays evaluation, critique, etc., to all MRI staff members.
- In absence of Chief MRI Technologist, coordinates with patient accounting on billing procedures for MRI department; maintains pathology file and logs MRI exam reports as needed.
- In absence of Chief MRI Technologist, remains knowledgeable in work-up of pediatric/anesthesia cases; follows policy and procedures as written; coordinates with MRI clerk, ordering physician, operating room staff and surgi center as requested; obtains patient medical records chart and completes essential paperwork; verifies consent form and post procedure orders are complete and appropriate.
- Demonstrates sufficient knowledge, skills, and abilities in area of specialization.
- Demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to provide care and/or service appropriate to age groups served.
- Demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to provide culturally sensitive care and/or service.
- Performs other duties and accepts responsibility as assigned.
- Non-Essential Functions:
- Ensures correct patient identification as well as protocol parameters to be superimposed on all images; chooses special interest cases and transfers images to maintained pathology file.
- Verifies operational status of cryogen levels and disk drives.
- Initiates service calls when Chief Technologist is not available and addresses all scheduling and patient flow needs when Chief Technologist is not available; documents down time hours and responses received from service in service log.
- Mounts images on multi-panel viewer according to department protocol; accounts for film exposed for each exam by providing information or by adding information to requisition or record.
- Maintains all materials needed and linen supply on daily basis; maintains general order and cleanliness of room assigned.
- Prepares cases for immediate interpretation; understands and accepts responsibilities of direct supervision of student technologists during their clinical assignments; reports malfunctions appropriately.
Qualifications:
Basic Qualifications:
Experience
- Two (2) years (4,160 hours) MRI experience as registered technologist.
Education
- Associates degree in radiologic technology; or equivalent combination of education (lesser) & experience may be considered in lieu of requirements.
License, Certification, Registration
- Radiographer License (Hawaii) required at hire
- American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Certificate - Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Basic Life Support from American Heart Association
- Radiologic Technologist Certification from American Registry of Radiologic Technologists
Additional Requirements:
- Knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and skill in oral communication, written communication, interpersonal relations, customer service, and problem solving.
- Talking to co-workers, customers, outside vendors, on the telephone, and supervising others.
- Reading, writing, speaking, and understanding English.
- Training/giving and receiving instructions.
- Mathematical ability, attention to detail (e.g., organization, prioritization, proofing), concentration, and alertness.
Preferred Qualifications:
- SIGNA experience.
- Demonstrated knowledge of statistical data analysis techniques, industrial occupational operations, and Kaiser systems/organization.
- One (1) year (2,080 hours) computer tomography experience as registered technologist, including experience or successful completion of training program (pre-hire, post-hire, or on-the-job) in area of specialty, if applicable.