Job Summary:

Computed tomography (CT) integrates scientific knowledge, technical competence and patient interaction skills to provide safe and accurate procedures with compassion. A CT Technologist recognizes patient conditions essential for the successful completion of the procedure. CT Technologists must demonstrate an understanding of human anatomy, human physiology, pathology and medical terminology. They must maintain a high degree of accuracy in positioning and exposure technique. CT Technologists must possess, use and maintain knowledge about radiation safety. CT Technologists prepare, administer and document activities related to medications and radiation exposure in accordance with federal and state laws or lawful institutional policy.

 

CT Technologists independently perform or assist the licensed independent practitioner in the completion of diagnostic, therapeutic, interventional and fusion computed tomography procedures. CT Technologists are the primary liaison between patients, licensed independent practitioners, and other members of the support team. CT Technologists must remain sensitive to the needs of the patient through good communication, patient assessment, patient monitoring and patient care skills. As members of the health care team, CT Technologists participate in quality improvement processes and continually assess their professional performance.

 

CT Technologists think critically and use independent, professional and ethical judgments in all aspects of their work. They engage in continuing education to include their area of practice to enhance patient care, radiation safety, public education, knowledge and technical competence. 

 

Unit Specific Requirements:

Prepares and performs patient procedures following approved protocols Builds new protocols to accommodate physician and radiologist needs Performs patient examination to ensure the delivery of quality care Contributes to the efficient operation of the department. Orders all supplies and keeps stock of supplies. Maintains professional development and education. Assists in the clinical training of radiologic technology students. Trains staff technologist as well as new hire technologists to keep them updated on changes. Priorities outpatients, inpatients, and ED patients to achieve ultimate outcomes Accommodates all emergency add on exams in a timely manner. Follows and adheres to Stroke Readiness protocols set by EMRMC. Prioritizes stroke patients to adhere to all mandated stroke protocols. Performs all stroke patients in a provided time frame to ensure best possible care and outcome for stroke patients. Responsible for Radiation Protection of self, patients, and general public using ALARA principles. Records patients’ radiation dose accurately on PACS for every Computed Tomography scan performed. Maintains accurate department records. Records appropriate information of contrast in patient charts for all contrasted studies. Records hand off intervention for all patients to provider’s nurses and providers with accurate information of studies completed. Records all Special Intervention charting for patients receiving procedures. Obtains consent and proper orders to perform Special Intervention Procedures. Reviews and informs patients of all pertinent information pertaining to procedure they will have performed. Prepares a proper sterile field using to assist Radiologist to perform Special Intervention Procedures, following proper sterile technique requirements to ensure the patient has the best possible outcome. Schedules all Special Intervention Procedures with scheduling and coordinates with ordering physicians to communicate appropriate times and orders for patients to receive appropriate exams. As well as obtaining approval from Radiologist to perform Special Intervention Procedures. Scheduling Pathology to assist with Special Intervention when appropriate. Considers the age of the patient served, applies knowledge of growth and development and age-specific techniques through the life-span (neonates/infants, pediatrics, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics) in planning and implementing care.  Prepares contrast appropriately for each individual patient based on weight based dosing protocols. Ensures all patients with contrast allergies are pre-medicated appropriately following 13 hour pre-medication requirements approved by Radiologists. Educates physicians and patients on correct dosing and medications needed to allow the patients to have the best possible outcome with contrast allergy. Follows protocols on treatments of contrast allergy in the event a patient has a reaction to contrast. Responsible for charging for all contrast used. Responsible for charging for all labs performed and entering them into patient charts. Responsible for charging for all biopsy and aspiration specimens sent to the lab. Responsible for checking Physician orders and ensuring appropriate documentation for all patients. Responsible for recognizing what order is appropriate for patients’ diagnosis and making sure the correct exam is performed based on the patients’ needs and diagnosis. Responsible for checking all current medications of each patient. Responsible for knowing what medications are contraindications for contrast and educating patients on how to continue medications after receiving contrast. Responsible for knowing which medications need to be instructed to hold for appropriate time frames before Special Intervention Procedures. Competent in starting IV’s, maintaining IV’s, checking charts, checking allergies, and checking orders and lab values. Competent in using the Istat and entering lab values obtained from Istat. Able to calculate GFR value based on the patient's creatinine value. Accurately documents any event that contrast extravasation may occur as well as communicating events to the ordering physician as well as the patient’s nurse to ensure proper care. Appropriately treats contrast extravasations following set protocols. Is educated on how to correctly use power injector for contrast studies. Ensures proper flow rating is used for each individualized study. Checks all IV’s, deep lines, Power Ports, Piccs lines, and forms of IV access are approved for Power Injecting and follows flow rating protocols. Responsible for being educated on how to ensure all forms of IV access are placed and working properly before administering contrast. Competently performs Cardiac Scans. Ensures patients has proper IV access required for Cardiac Exams. Is able to recognize desired heart rate for scan to be of diagnostic quality. Obtains order for proper medications to be administered if heart rate is not of desired level for scan to be performed. Monitors patients after medication is given to ensure their heart rate is appropriate to deliver the best possible exam. Responsible for post processing on all Cardiac Scans. Responsible for post processing on all Angiogram studies. Competent in building 3D models from Raw Data to provide to Radiologist and Ordering Physicians. Responsible for performing Quality Assurance on all scanners daily and recording Quality Assurance values for proper records. Responsible for performing advanced PACS capabilities to be able to ensure all scans are assigned to correct accession numbers with correct images and labeling. Competent in fixing up studies on PACS. Able to send studies to outside companies such as Endologix and V RAD. Demonstrates a commitment to accountability and growth to maintain and expand knowledge and skills. Contributes to the achievement of the mission and philosophy of the Organization. Contributes to the effective operations of the Organization by demonstrating dependability in job performance. Demonstrates a commitment to incorporating the core concepts of patient family centered care into practice (dignity, respect, information sharing, and participation). Demonstrates a commitment to the development and implementation of shared governance across the Organization. Performs other related duties as assigned.