Description
Overall Objective:
Responsible for providing safe, compassionate, and high-quality diagnostic imaging services while ensuring an exceptional patient experience. The technologist performs a variety of radiographic examinations in accordance with physician orders and established protocols, operates imaging equipment effectively, maintains radiation safety standards, and collaborates with radiologists, physicians, and other healthcare professionals to support accurate imaging and efficient, patient-centered care.
Principal Activities and Expected End Results
- Perform routine and advanced diagnostic radiographic examinations in accordance with physician orders, established protocols, and department standards.
- Review patient orders, medical history, and relevant clinical information to determine the appropriate imaging approach.
- Verify patient identity, examination, and relevant clinical information prior to imaging.
- Explain examination procedures clearly and compassionately, using language patients can easily understand, and answer questions or address concerns.
- Prepare, position, and appropriately immobilize patients to obtain accurate, diagnostic-quality images while maintaining patient dignity, comfort, and safety.
- Operate radiographic and related imaging equipment safely and effectively, including selecting appropriate technical factors and imaging protocols.
- Perform examinations efficiently while adapting techniques to accommodate patients with mobility limitations, injuries, special needs, or other clinical considerations.
- Evaluate images for positioning, exposure, and diagnostic quality and repeat examinations when clinically necessary and consistent with radiation-safety principles.
- Apply ALARA principles and follow all applicable radiation-safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
- Maintain a safe, clean, and organized imaging environment and ensure equipment and necessary supplies are properly prepared.
- Monitor equipment performance and promptly report equipment malfunctions, safety concerns, or operational issues to the appropriate supervisor.
- Recognize and promptly communicate urgent or clinically significant findings and patient concerns to the radiologist or appropriate medical provider in accordance with department protocols.
- Accurately document examinations, patient information, clinical observations, and other required information in the electronic medical record and/or imaging system.
- Collaborate effectively with radiologists, urologists, physicians, nurses, imaging leadership, and other healthcare professionals to ensure coordinated, efficient, and high-quality patient care.
- Protect patient privacy and maintain confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA and organizational policies.
- Maintain professional knowledge and technical competency through continuing education, training, and compliance with applicable licensure and certification requirements.
- Contribute to departmental quality-improvement, patient-safety, and workflow initiatives.
- Demonstrate professionalism, reliability, sound judgment, effective communication, and a patient-centered approach in all interactions.
- Provide compassionate and reassuring care, particularly when working with patients who are anxious, in pain, or medically compromised.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Requirements
Minimum Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Experience
- Associate degree in radiography or radiologic technology
- Certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and Virginia state license
Desirable Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Experience
- Prior experience working in an x-ray department
Compensation for this opportunity ranges based on experience from $28.70-$40.53 an hour
Physical Requirements:
- Standing and walking: You may spend much of a shift on your feet.
- Lifting and transferring patients: You may need to help move or reposition patients, including patients who have limited mobility. Able to lift/push/pull up to 20 lbs. without assistance and greater than 20 lbs. with assistance.
- Pushing/pulling equipment: X-ray machines, stretchers, wheelchairs, and other equipment may need to be moved.
- Bending, reaching, and kneeling: Positioning patients and equipment can require awkward or sustained positions.
- Fine motor skills: You need enough hand coordination to operate equipment and position patients accurately.
- Vision: Adequate vision is generally needed to position patients, read displays, and assess images.
- Hearing/communication: You need to communicate with patients and coworkers, sometimes while wearing protective equipment.
- Working around radiation: You follow radiation-safety procedures and use shielding and monitoring equipment.
- Stamina: Shifts can involve repeated patient positioning and relatively little sitting.
