Radiographer I

Where compassion meets innovation and technology and our employees are family.

GENERAL PURPOSE OF JOB:
Working as part of an interdisciplinary team, performs radiographic examinations to create images needed for diagnosis. Radiography integrates scientific knowledge and technical skills with effective patient interaction to provide quality patient care and useful diagnostic information. The radiographer integrates professional and ethical judgment and critical thinking in performing these examinations. The radiographer must demonstrate and understanding of human anatomy, physiology, pathology and medical terminology while maintaining a high degree of accuracy in radiographic positioning and exposure technique. He or she must also maintain knowledge about radiation protection and safety.
Radiographers are the primary liaison between patients and Radiologists and other members of the support team. The Radiographer will perform other duties as deemed necessary.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; employees will perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and/or hospital administration as required.

• • Maintains utmost level of confidentiality at all times.
• • Adheres to hospital policies and procedures.
• • Demonstrates business practices and personal actions that are ethical and adhere to corporate compliance and integrity guidelines.
• • Provides the best possible diagnostic study for each patient by applying professional judgment and discretion
• • Anticipates and responds to the needs of the patient while undergoing radiographic examination
• • Works with others to elevate the quality of care delivered
• • Produces quality diagnostic imaging studies
• • Collects pertinent data about the patient and the procedure
• • Reconfirms patient identification and verifies the procedure requested or prescribed
• • Verifies patient’s pregnancy status as appropriate
• • Determines whether the patient has been appropriately prepared for the procedure
• • Assesses factors that may contraindicate the procedure, such as medications, insufficient patient preparation or artifacts
• Analyzes the information obtained during the assessment phase and develops an action plan for completing the procedure
  • Using professional judgment adepts imaging procedures as appropriate to improve diagnostic information and improve outcomes
  • Consults appropriate medical personnel to determine a modified action plan when necessary
  • Evaluates lab values prior to administering contrast media and beginning interventional procedures
  • Selects appropriate shielding devices
  • Determines appropriate type and amount of contrast agent to be administered, based on patient age, weight and medical/physical status
  • Reviews patient chart and the physician request to determine optimal imaging technique for suspected pathology
  • Provides information about the procedure to the patient/family and other health care providers
  • Verifies that the patient/family have consented to the procedure and fully understand any risks, benefits, alternatives and follow-up
  • Provides accurate explanations and instructions at the appropriate time and at a level the patient/family can understand
  • Maintains controlled access to restricted areas during radiation exposure to ensure safety of patients, families and hospital personnel
  • Addresses and documents patient questions and concerns regarding the procedure when appropriate
  • Refers questions about diagnosis, treatment, or prognosis to the patient’s physician
  • Provides appropriate information to other individuals involved in the patient’s care
  • Consults with other departments, such as respiratory therapy and anesthesia for patient services
  • Instructs patients regarding preparation prior to imaging procedures, including providing information about oral or bowel preparation and allergy preparation, as appropriate
  • Ensures all procedural requirements are in place to achieve a quality diagnostic examination
  • Implements action plans that fall within established protocols and guidelines
  • Elicits patient/family cooperation to carry out the action plan
  • Uses and integrated team approach as needed
  • Uses accessory equipment when appropriate
  • Assesses and monitors the patient’s physical and mental state while undergoing procedure
  • Administers contrast agents according to established guidelines
  • Monitors the patient for reactions to contrast agent
  • Uses appropriate radiation safety devices
  • Applies appropriate patient immobilization devices when necessary
  • Evaluates goals of the action plan (procedure) to determine that all goals have been achieved
  • Evaluates the patient and the procedure in a timely, accurate and comprehensive manner to identify variances that may affect patient outcome
• 
  • Measures the procedure against established protocols and guidelines
  • Identifies any exceptions to the expected outcome
  • Documents any exceptions clearly and completely
  • Reviews images to determine if additional images will enhance the diagnostic value of the procedure
  • Implements a revised action plan as indicated
  • Bases the revised action plan on the patient’s condition and the most appropriate means of achieving the intended outcome
  • Takes action based on patient and procedural variances
  • Measures and evaluates the results of the revised action plan
  • Notifies appropriate health provider when immediate clinical response is necessary based on procedural findings and/or patient condition
  • Documents information about patient care, the procedure and final outcome
  • Documents diagnostic and patient data in the appropriate record, this may be a computerized record, requisition, patient log, etc. Documentation must be timely, accurate, concise and complete
  • Documents any exceptions from the established criteria or procedures
  • Maintains utmost level of confidentiality at all times
  • Adheres to hospital policies and procedures
  • Demonstrates business practices and personal actions that are ethical and adhere to corporate compliance and integrity guidelines
  • Assists in the collection of pertinent information regarding equipment, the procedures and the work environment
  • Assists in the collection of pertinent data regarding departmental process improvement activities
  • Ensures that services are performed in a safe environment in accordance with established guidelines
  • Ensures that equipment maintenance and operation comply with established guidelines
  • Assesses equipment to determine acceptable performance based on established guidelines
  • Reviews protocol and procedure manuals on at least an annual basis
  • Analyzes information collected and recommends whether changes need to be made to equipment, procedures or work environment, discusses any recommended changes with appropriate supervisor
  • Elicits confidence and cooperation from the patient/family, the public and health care providers by
  providing timely communication and effective instruction
  • Presents explanations and instructions at the learner’s level of understanding and learning style
  • Instructs students and health care providers regarding radiographic procedures and radiation safety
  • Assists in performing quality assurance activities based on established quality protocols
  • Monitors image production to determine variance from established quality standards
  • Evaluates his/her quality assurance results and establishes an appropriate action plan for
  improvement as required
  • Compares quality assurance results to established acceptable values
• Implements as self-improvement QA action plan as required
  • Obtains assistance from appropriate personnel to implement his/her quality assurance action plan

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• • Associate's degree (A A) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school accredited by the
• Committee of Allied Health Education and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic
• Technology
• • Registered or registry eligible as an RT-R by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist
• o Must be registered within one (1) year after the hired date.
• • Holds current unlimited Texas CMRT license

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

• • Registered or registry eligible as a Registered Radiologic Technologist (RT-R) by the American
• Registry of Radiologic Technologist
• o Must be registered within one (1) year after the hired date.
• • Current Texas State CMRT License
• • CPR