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Sharp Healthcare

Not-for-profit integrated health care system

Nuclear Medicine/PET/CT Technologist

Diagnostics & Laboratory ProfessionalsConfirmed live in the last 24 hours
Part-timeLa Mesa, CA, USAIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

  • Satisfactory completion of a formal training program in an American Medical Association-approved school for Nuclear Medicine Technology that meets California state and/or federal certification requirements, or equivalent.
  • AHA Basic Life Support for Healthcare Professionals certification from the American Heart Association is required.
  • California Nuclear Medicine Technologist certification from the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board is required.
  • Certification as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist (N) through ARRT or as a Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT) through the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board is required.
  • Certification in Computed Tomography (CT) through ARRT or the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board is required; this certification must be obtained within 90 days of hire.
  • Ability to perform routine to complex diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures under radiation safety and physician supervision.
  • Knowledge of nuclear medicine, SPECT, SPECT/CT, PET/CT, and CT imaging procedures, protocols, parameter selection, image quality, and radiation dose optimization.
  • Knowledge of radiation safety, ALARA principles, radioactive material handling, decay calculations, regulatory requirements, and radioactive waste procedures.
  • Competency with Radiology Information System (RIS), Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), voice recognition, teleradiology, and related computer applications.
  • Ability to follow patient verification, infection prevention, sterile technique, safe patient mobilization, and confidentiality procedures.

Responsibilities

  • Perform routine to complex diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine, SPECT, SPECT/CT, PET, and PET/CT procedures under the direction or supervision of the Radiation Safety Officer and authorized physicians.
  • Assist physicians with nuclear medicine and PET/CT procedures by preparing and positioning patients, preparing and administering radiopharmaceuticals, and operating imaging equipment.
  • Perform required quality control procedures on nuclear medicine equipment and adhere to radiation safety practices, the Radioactive Materials License, and California and federal regulations.
  • Assist with care of patients administered radiopharmaceuticals and ensure safe, appropriate disposal and monitoring of radioactive waste and materials.
  • Provide customer service to patients, families, and colleagues; use AIDET during patient encounters and support service recovery when expectations are not met.
  • Complete required documentation, tracking, and billing in RIS; scan documents into RIS or PACS; document pregnancy status, radiation dose, clinical indications, supplies, contrast, billing codes, and modifiers as appropriate.
  • Use computer applications including RIS, PACS, voice recognition, and teleradiology, and follow downtime procedures as needed; communicate equipment, employee, supply, adverse incident, and Workers' Compensation issues to a lead or supervisor.
  • Educate patients and families about procedures, provide instruction and reassurance, explain contrast effects, and provide pre- and post-procedure education.
  • Educate patients, families, and staff about radiation safety and waste precautions based on the procedure and radiopharmaceutical administered; communicate in ways that account for patient age, culture, health, and comprehension.
  • Use chaperones when requested or appropriate, and communicate supportively with patients' families while maintaining confidentiality.
  • Verify patients using two identifiers, verify orders, associate patients with the correct images and procedures, review exam appropriateness, escalate discrepancies, and document order changes.
  • Protect confidential information and participate in the Universal Protocol, including patient verification, side/site marking, and time-out when appropriate.
  • Assist radiologists with procedures and preparation using sterile technique, hand hygiene, and infection prevention; provide care based on nursing assessment and communicate handoffs and patient-condition changes.
  • Use closed-loop communication, initiate life-saving measures as appropriate, follow safe patient mobilization procedures, select appropriate lifting equipment, and secure patients on procedure tables.
  • Use translation and other special-needs resources to communicate accurately with patients and families who speak another language or have hearing or speech disorders; review the electronic medical record before exams.
  • Perform high-quality nuclear medicine, SPECT, and PET procedures and patient care in accordance with department policies, procedures, and guidelines.
  • Operate equipment safely and select imaging protocols and parameters appropriate to the patient and procedure, including centering, scouting, gantry isocenter, axial and helical scanning, scan range, pitch, noise index, phantom, mAs, kV, detectors, and field of view.
  • Use appropriate protocols based on patient age, size, and body habitus, including Image Wisely and Image Gently training; acquire and transmit required image series and post-processing reformatted images.
  • Remove obstructive clothing, jewelry, and implanted devices as required by policy, and secure valuables and implanted devices.
  • Review, compare, document, and report CT radiation dose parameters, including estimated CTDI and DLP, notification values, and reportable doses.
  • Transfer images promptly to PACS or other network destinations; select correct patients and procedures from the modality worklist, identify and annotate images and series, and confirm image availability for clinicians and radiologists.
  • Follow radiation safety and regulatory requirements and conditions of the Radioactive Material License, California Code of Regulations Title 17, Code of Federal Regulations Title 10 section 20, and 10 CFR 35.
  • Use radioactive isotopes according to policy, procedure, protocol, and scope of practice; confirm isotope orders, delivery, storage, and decay under authorized-user supervision.
  • Record radioactive material use and disposition in the Nuclear Medicine Information System permanent record, calculate required activity, label isotopes, verify prescribed activity before administration, and document waste precautions.
  • Follow established labeling and verification procedures for isotopes requiring blood withdrawal and reinjection, and verify written directives for therapeutic procedures.
  • Apply radiation safety and ALARA principles; screen patients for contraindications, pregnancy status, and shielding needs; document screening and dose parameters; wear personal and ring dosimeters and lab coats in radiation areas; and complete daily contamination surveys.
  • Participate in entity-wide and system-wide Radiation Safety Committees.
  • Test, calibrate, maintain, disinfect, and perform infection prevention for equipment according to manufacturer guidance and department policy; complete and document required quality control at daily, weekly, monthly, semiannual, and annual intervals.
  • Perform equipment startup, shutdown, system calibration, and tube warm-up procedures; know emergency patient removal procedures and the locations of emergency stops and shutdowns; initiate and document equipment repair and maintenance.
  • Provide security and monitoring for radioactive material, waste, and decay procedures.
  • Assist with training and orienting new employees, cross-training existing employees and student technologists, and completing new-employee orientation and training checklists.
  • Provide feedback on student progress to the Clinical Instructor through competencies and evaluations.

Desired Qualifications

  • Two years of experience in radiology.

About the Company

Sharp Healthcare

Not-for-profit integrated health care system

Sharp HealthCare is a not-for-profit, integrated health system in the San Diego area that operates four acute-care hospitals, three specialty hospitals, three affiliated medical groups, and a health plan to provide primary and specialty care across services like cancer treatment, cardiovascular care, orthopedic surgery, and women’s health. Its network links hospitals, clinics, physicians, and a health plan to deliver coordinated care from prevention to treatment. Unlike many providers, Sharp reinvests its profits into community health initiatives, combining hospital care, physician groups, and an insurance-like plan within one not-for-profit system. Its goal is to improve the health and well-being of the San Diego population through high-quality, coordinated care.

Company size
10,001+
Company stage
Not listed
Total funding
Not listed
Headquarters
San Diego, CA
Founded
1946

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