Mammography Technologist

Job description

How would you like to work in a place where your contributions and ideas are valued? A place where you can serve with compassion, pursue excellence and honor every voice? At Wellstar, our mission is simple, yet powerful: to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve. We are proud to have become a shining example of what's possible when the brightest professionals dedicate themselves to making a difference in the healthcare industry, and in people's lives. Work Shift Day (United States of America) Job Summary: Must be flexible with work hours to meet department needs. Must be dependable, accountable, and cooperative. Assists with providing safe, age-appropriate care to the patient by performing all exams provided by the department according to department procedures. Has the knowledge and ability to properly and safely obtain a quality diagnostic study. Responsible for performing a wide variety of technical procedures requiring independent judgment, ingenuity, and initiative in the utilization of equipment for the diagnosis and/or treatment of diseases. Able to independently perform job functions. Sets up the equipment to provide imaging service and positions patient for the procedure. Must maintain minimum FDA/MQSA requirements for continuing education, experience, and equipment. Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions: Patient care Obtains complete clinical history, gathers examination data, and assesses for contraindicating conditions. Ensures all studies have proper patient identification and right/left markers are utilized appropriately. Reviews radiographic images for clinically acceptable results and releases patients. Responds to emergency situations. Uses critical thinking skills. Seeks clarification on ambiguous orders. Assists other technologists in all modalities when needed. Observes patient condition and properly evaluates situations when physician intervention is necessary to prevent deterioration due to misjudgment. Verifies two unique patient identifiers per policy and verifies proper clinician order prior to performing a procedure. Ensures patient’s privacy and comfort is accommodated. Demonstrates competence in determining and applying appropriate procedures, equipment, supplies, and techniques based on patient age. Understands, demonstrates, and documents Pre-Procedure Verification and Time-Out process when appropriate, if applicable. Demonstrates and understands pre- and post-procedural care, if applicable. Demonstrates and understands sterile technique, if applicable. Organizes schedule, time, and priorities so that required activities are accomplished within designated time frames. Follows physician’s instructions when assisting with procedures and exams. Practices RBAC (Read Back and Confirm) when taking verbal orders. Equipment Demonstrates the ability to adjust technique so that the patient receives the best study possible while maintaining image quality. Reports problems regarding malfunctioning equipment to the supervisor or service provider so that issues can be corrected in a timely manner. Cleans, disinfects, and maintains equipment in accordance with infection control policy and department cleaning schedule. Ability to properly operate all radiographic equipment in a safe and competent manner, ensuring equipment is not abused and is left in good working order. Education and communication Patiently and clearly explains the purpose and nature of the exam to the patient prior to starting the procedure, minimizing anxiety and facilitating cooperation using AIDET (Acknowledge, Introduce, Discuss, Explain, Thank). Ensures patient’s questions, concerns, or contraindications are satisfactorily addressed; notifies physician when this cannot be accomplished prior to initiating the procedure. Participates in the orientation and training of departmental employees. Provides patients with preparatory instruction and explanation of procedures. Ensures required documentation is concise, legible, and includes precise terminology. Reads email each day scheduled to work and follows through with assignments. Completes mandatory departmental and hospital-wide education without prompting. Quality control Produces acceptable images, maintaining a first-time acceptance rate of 95 percent. Ensures equipment is fully operational prior to each use by checking for proper calibration and operating deficiencies. Completes all studies in RIS; ensures images are oriented, marked, labeled, and noted correctly prior to sending all studies to PACS; prints CDs as necessary. When submitting procedures for interpretation, digitizes comparative studies if necessary and completes the preliminary sheet in its entirety, if applicable. Maintains all documentation so that the facility meets ACR Accreditation standards. Technologist is knowledgeable in completing and documenting the following ACR/MQSA QC tests: Phantom, Visual checklist, Repeat analysis, Compression-pressure, Compression thickness, Flat field test, Calibration, DICOM printer test. Operations Restocks linens and supplies, maintaining Mammography Department in a clean and orderly condition. Transports and positions patients, assisting them on and off the procedure table. Performs patient charging activities on the day the service is rendered. Applies shielding. Prepares and maintains patient follow-up data. Willingly lends knowledge and assistance to others upon request and routinely as time allows, ensuring all working time benefits the department. Performs routine clerical and support duties in accordance with procedure when warranted to ensure continuity and quality of services. Keeps supervisor informed on all responsibilities, ensuring prompt notification of problems or potential issues. Maintains an individual productivity rate equal to other co-workers. Familiar with Mammography Tracking System. Maintains Joint Commission standards and any other regulatory agency standards. Familiar with FDA/MQSA EQUIP program. Any other duties as assigned. Performs other duties as assigned Complies with all WellStar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct. Required Minimum Education: Graduate of AMA approved School of Radiology Technology Required and currently ARRT registered. Required Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s): All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated: ARRT Mammography ARRT Radiography Basic Life Support or BLS - Instructor Additional License(s) and Certification(s): Required Minimum Experience: Minimum 1 year experience as a Rad Tech Required Minimum 1 year experience in Mammography Preferred Required Minimum Skills: Must exhibit excellent communication skills for frequent verbal and written interactions with physicians, patients, visitors, departmental staff, and nursing staff. Obtains, presents, and discusses clinical information regarding job responsibilities on a routine basis. Able to explain or give directions to maintain goodwill and obtain cooperation with all contacts. Must possess the ability to function independently and under pressure while actively participating in a team environment. Position requires excellent customer service skills at all times. Must perform effectively in a stressful and fast-paced work environment. Must have the ability to prioritize appropriately. Must be detail-oriented and capable of multitasking effectively throughout the work shift. Must have excellent communication skills and interact professionally with a variety of customers, including patients, families, co-workers, volunteers, and physicians. Must function independently yet productively as a cooperative team member with various work teams. Must be compliant and willing to follow all hospital policies, established practices, protocols, and procedures, as well as applicable professional standards. Competent in all aspects of Mammography, patient positioning, exposure factors, and radiation protection. Must understand anatomy and pathology and how they affect the quality of a procedure. Join us and discover the support to do more meaningful work—and enjoy a more rewarding life. 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