Nuclear Medicine Technician - Aptive
Tucson, AZ
About the Job
Job Summary
As a Nuclear Medicine Technologist at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, you will play a crucial role in providing advanced diagnostic and therapeutic services to our nation's veterans. This position requires a highly skilled and experienced individual capable of performing a wide range of nuclear medicine procedures with precision and accuracy.
Schedule: 40 hours per week depending on the FTEE and clinic location.
Primary Responsibilities
Radiopharmaceutical Administration: Prepare, assay, and administer radiopharmaceutical doses to patients by injection, inhalation, or ingestion as prescribed by physicians.
Interpretation of Requests: Interpret requests or instructions from radiologists or medical officers, ensuring accurate execution of procedures.
Intravenous Catheterization: Proficiently introduce intravenous catheters in patients for the administration of radiopharmaceuticals and/or medications.
Blood Glucose Testing: Test blood glucose levels in patients and respond appropriately to results that are outside the normal range.
Patient Identification and Explanation: Ensure patient ID bands match the request and explain procedures to patients in a manner that gains cooperation, understanding, and allays apprehension.
Side Effects Management: Be knowledgeable about possible side effects of radiopharmaceuticals and other medications administered, taking immediate action to remedy any noted effects.
Patient Positioning and Comfort: Position patients for desired results using positioning cushions and privacy shields as appropriate, ensuring patient comfort throughout procedures.
Radiopharmaceutical Dose Management: Order and manage radiopharmaceutical doses required for daily patient studies, maintaining adequate supplies to perform studies without delay whenever possible.
Hybrid Imaging Operation: Operate nuclear medicine equipment such as SPECT, SPECT/CT, PET, and PET/CT systems for various patient procedures.
Exposure Rate Calculations: Understand and perform exposure rate calculations, ensuring patient safety and regulatory compliance.
Diagnostic Imaging and Therapeutic Procedures: Perform a full range of nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging, non-imaging, in-vitro, and therapeutic procedures, including highly specialized computer-assisted studies.
Hybrid Imaging Interpretation: Perform and understand a range of hybrid imaging studies, including SPECT/CT and PET/CT, ensuring accurate interpretation and analysis of images.
Continuing Education: Keep up-to-date with new imaging agents, procedures, and methods, and write imaging protocols for departmental use.
Quality Control and Assurance: Calibrate and perform quality control measures on imaging systems, assist in troubleshooting issues, and ensure compliance with quality control standards.
Patient Safety and Radiation Management: Maintain patient safety at all times, adhere to ALARA principles, and ensure compliance with Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and other regulatory requirements.
Documentation and Billing: Record appropriate data and related information for patient studies, ensure proper billing and workload information using accurate CPT codes.
Schedule Management: Schedule patient procedures, taking into consideration equipment availability, patient condition, and urgency of requests.
Collaboration and Communication: Work closely with other healthcare professionals, nuclear medicine physicians, and external agencies as necessary, fostering an environment of teamwork and positive workplace culture.
Research and Education: Participate in research projects, instruct students and new technologists, and provide written and verbal analysis of testing and procedures.
Other Duties: Perform other nuclear medicine-related duties as assigned by supervisors.
Minimum Qualifications
- Minimum of two years' current experience as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist, preferably in a hospital setting covering inpatient units, emergency department, and ICU.
- Recent experience in nuclear medicine procedures and patient care.
- Certification as a Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist from the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Nuclear Medicine (NM).
- Proficiency in operating nuclear medicine equipment and performing a variety of nuclear medicine procedures.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
About Aptive
Aptive is a modern federal consulting firm focused on human experience, digital services, and business transformation. We harness creativity, technology, and culture to connect people and systems to impact the world. We’re advisors, strategists, and engineers focused on people, above all else.
We believe in generating success collaboratively, leaving client organizations stronger after every engagement and building trust for the next big challenge. Our work inspires people, fuels change and makes an impact. Join our team to be part of positive change in your community and our nation.
EEO Statement
Aptive is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran status, age, disability, or any other protected class.
Veterans, members of the Reserve and National Guard, and transitioning active-duty service members are highly encouraged to apply.