Overview

Our team members are the heart of what makes us better. At Hackensack Meridian Health we help our patients live better, healthier lives — and we help one another to succeed. With a culture rooted in connection and collaboration, our employees are team members. Here, competitive benefits are just the beginning. It’s also about how we support one another and how we show up for our community. Together, we keep getting better - advancing our mission to transform healthcare and serve as a leader of positive change.

The Nuclear Cardio Technologist is responsible for all tasks involved in the preparation, calibration and administration of radiopharmaceuticals in the performance of clinical procedures in the Nuclear Cardiology area.

Responsibilities

A day in the life of a Nuclear Cardiology Technologist at Hackensack Meridian Health includes:

 

1. Follows established policy and procedure regarding maintaining instrumentation quality assurance and documentation of the procurement, preparation, administration, disposal, storage and safe handling of radiopharmaceuticals.
2. Utilizes appropriate technical factors that will assure quality diagnostic images and maintains techniques that will minimize radiation exposure to the patient, healthcare personnel and the general public.
3. Intervenes with correct techniques, procedures and safety precautions to maintain patient and personnel safety.
4. Familiarizes other members of the cardiology staff with personnel monitoring devices. Also keeps records and advises them on behavior in the radiation area. Sees that monitoring badges are checked on a monthly basis.
5. Maintains work area in a clean and orderly condition and ensures that testing area is properly supplied and operational on a daily basis.
6. Assists with problem solving clinical decisions and communication of the same to the supervisor and department cardiologists.
7. Assists in maintaining quality assurance records as required by state agencies and participates in quality improvement on an ongoing basis via input of ideas or suggestions through assigned data collection and/or feedback to assist in developing and maintaining methods to review quality of care.
8. Contributes to the preparation and implementation of educational objectives and learning experiences for department and hospital staff. Maintaining a knowledge of current trends and new developments.
9. Obtains field uniformity images and spatial resolution checks of gamma camera for non-uniformity and degradation of resolution and assures integrity of photographic recording device.
10. Assures a sufficient supply of radiopharmaceuticals in accordance with licensing possession limits, maintaining records of identification and labeling of all radiopharmaceutical preparations.
11. Records utilization and disposal of all radioactive materials in a permanent record.
12. Prior to administering prescribed radiopharmaceutical, it correctly identifies patients to receive dosage and also maintains aseptic technique when administering injectable dosage and administers by prescribed route.
13. Performs imaging views and patient positioning according to established protocols and selects additional views as necessary to optimize value of study.
14. Following administration of radiopharmaceutical, allows appropriate length of time before beginning imaging procedure.
15. Processes film and reviews studies to ensure needed information is supplied for physician interpretation.
16. Routinely maintains and documents compliance with state and federal regulations regarding receipt and disposal of all radionuclides.
17. Performs survey and wipe tests to assess any contamination which might occur in the area.
18. When need arises, performs decontamination procedures in accordance with state regulations and maintains appropriate measures to reduce exposure as low as is reasonably achievable.
19. Should a spill occur, immediately follows policy and procedure for decontamination and notifies Cardiology physician and supervisor.
20. Periodically will confer with the consulting nuclear physicist and implement changes if and when regulations indicate change.
21. Seeks assistance from staff nurses in situations which require nursing intervention, i.e., I.V. infiltration, respiratory distress, chest pain.
22. Initiates preventive/corrective action to the patient and/or patient environment to ensure, when necessary, safety according to policy.
23. Statistical data will be compiled and submitted to the supervisor on the last working day of the month by reviewing daily patient testing logs.
24. Keeps supervisor informed of all atypical events regarding patient status, testing problems and unit environment which may occur, i.e., incident reports, patient complaints, special needs, equipment breakdown, unsafe work conditions, etc.
25. Keep abreast of changes in nuclear cardiology trends and practices through reading material and by attendance and/or participation in inservice programs, continuing education programs and unit-based conferences applying to areas of specialty as recorded in the Education Manual.
26. Provides competent assessment, treatment and/or care to patients appropriate for the individualized and developmental needs for the age of those patients served.
27. Attends monthly department meetings when possible or reads and signs minutes of the same.
28. Other duties and/or projects as assigned.
29. Adheres to HMH Organizational competencies and standards of behavior.

Qualifications
Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:1. Graduate of an approved school of nuclear technology.
2. A minimum of one year of experience in radioisotope techniques.
3. Full knowledge of Nuclear Regulatory Commission rules and regulations.
4. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
5. Proficient computer skills that include but are not limited to Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite platforms. Licenses and Certifications Required:1. Diagnostic Radiography License or NJ Registered Radiological Technologist License or NJ State Radiography License. If you feel the above description speaks directly to your strengths and capabilities, then please apply today!

Our Network

Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) is a Mandatory Influenza Vaccination Facility

As a courtesy to assist you in your job search, we would like to send your resume to other areas of our Hackensack Meridian Health network who may have current openings that fit your skills and experience.