Nuclear Medicine/PET CT Tech

JOB DESCRIPTION

Prepare, administer and measure radioactive isotopes in therapeutic, diagnostic, and tracer studies utilizing a variety of radioisotope equipment. Prepare stock solutions of radioactive materials and calculate doses to be administered. Subject patients to radiation. Execute blood volume, red cell survival, and fat absorption studies following standard laboratory techniques.

TASKS

• Administer radiopharmaceuticals or radiation intravenously to detect or treat diseases, using radioisotope equipment, under direction of a physician.
• Detect and map radiopharmaceuticals in patients bodies, using a camera to produce photographic or computer images.
• Produce a computer generated or film image for interpretation by a physician.
• Calculate, measure and record radiation dosage or radiopharmaceuticals received, used and disposed, using computer and following physicians' prescription.
• Perform quality control checks on laboratory equipment and cameras.
• Maintain and calibrate radioisotope and laboratory equipment.
• Dispose of radioactive materials and store radiopharmaceuticals, following radiation safety procedures.
• Process cardiac function studies using computer.
• Prepare stock radiopharmaceuticals, adhering to safety standards that minimize radiation exposure to workers and patients.
• Record and process results of procedures.
• Explain test procedures and safety precautions to patients and provide them with assistance during test procedures.
• Gather information on patients' illnesses and medical history to guide the choice of diagnostic procedures for therapy.
• Measure glandular activity, blood volume, red cell survival, and radioactivity of patient, using scanners, Geiger counters, scintillometers, and other laboratory equipment.

WORK CONTEXT

Requires using hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls. Requires walking, running and standing. Requires telephone conversations. Requires use of electronic mail, writing letters and memos. Requires face to face discussions with individuals or teams, contact with others. Requires competition or awareness of competitive pressures. Includes conflict situations, dealing with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous people. Includes exposure to contaminants. Requires making decisions that impact the results of co-workers, clients or the company. Opportunity to make decisions without supervision. Mistakes are not easily correctable and have serious consequences. Requires exposure to hazardous conditions. Includes exposure to disease or infections, or radiation. Requires repeating the same physical or mental activities over and over. Freedom to determine tasks, priorities and goals. Requires being exact or highly accurate. Requires meeting strict deadlines. Requires working with others. Requires work with external customers or the public. Includes responsibility for the health and safety of others. Requires wearing specialized protective or safety equipment. Requires working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions. Job tasks are performed in close physical proximity to other people.

WORK ACTIVITIES

• Performing for or working directly with the public
• Inspecting equipment, structures, or material
• Analyzing data or information
• Communicating with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships
• Assisting and caring for others
• Processing information
• Identifying objects, actions and events
• Updating and using relevant knowledge
• Resolving conflicts and negotiating with others
• Documenting/recording information
• Organizing, planning and prioritizing work
• Evaluating information to determine compliance with standards
• Administer injections
• Observe patient condition
• Follow patient care procedures
• Understand properties or composition of drugs
• Prepare patients for tests, therapy or treatments
• Use sanitation practices in health care settings
• Prepare radioactive isotopes for therapeutic applications
• Explain testing procedures to patient
• Collect clinical data
• Calculate radiation dosage, following physician's prescription
• Analyze medical data
• Use clinical sterilizing equipment
• Use emergency medical procedures
• Administer radioactive isotopes
• Follow patient observation procedures
• Use quality assurance techniques
• Use medical diagnostic equipment

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Equipment maintenance
• Operation and Control
• Quality control analysis

TOOLS

• Hypodermic needles
• Intramuscular hypodermic needles
• Subcutaneous hypodermic needles
• Liquid scintillation counters
• Automated multi sample liquid scintillation counters
• Medical computed tomography CT or CAT quality assurance or calibration phantoms or devices
• Positron emission tomography PET Calibration phantoms
• Single positron emission computed tomography SPECT calibration phantoms
• Medical gamma cameras
• Rotating gamma cameras
• Mobile gamma cameras
• Large-field gamma cameras
• Dual headed gamma cameras
• Radiation detectors
• Radiation survey meters
• Ion chamber survey meters
• Geiger-Mueller G-M meters
• Digital ratemeters

TECHNOLOGY

• Electronic mail software
• Microsoft Outlook
• Medical Software
• EMR Software
• Gamma camera software
• Medovation RadRunner
• Radiopharmacy inventory databases