Medical Imaging Technologist - Clinical Research Imaging

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research, and prevention, and through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees and the public.

 

Shift/Hours:  Monday - Friday / 8:30am - 5pm

SUMMARY

 The Medical Imaging Technologist (MIT) is expected to have knowledge in diagnostic/therapeutic procedures based on current medical licensure and apply clinical experience to investigational diagnostic imaging procedures and/or investigational targeted radiopharmaceutical therapies to MDACC patients, UT Health Science Center (UTHSC) patients and Non-Human Subjects.  This Technologist is a versatile individual who works effectively and efficiently with multi-disciplinary teams within multiple radiologic modalities to assure excellent customer service. The technologist must demonstrate expert skills in one or more of the specialized modalities: MRI, CT, Nuclear Medicine, PET/CT or PET/MRI. Must maintain a working knowledge of all standard of care protocols, research specific protocols, and post-acquisition data processing procedures.  Must be competent to operate independently throughout multiple modalities on a daily basis. This multimodality technologist will make safety a top priority for patients and peers by practicing MRI safety standards, ALARA (As Low As Reasonable Achievable) concepts, utilizing Image Gently and ACR standards. The MIT performs procedures as prescribed by Clinicians in coordination with DI Faculty and assists/performs patient care related tasks.  Communicates and works with radiologists, physicists, clinicians, nursing staff and research sponsors to ensure high quality diagnostic procedures are performed.  Provides learned experience to students, technologists, nursing, faculty and others on experiences learned with investigational diagnostic imaging procedures and/or investigational targeted radiopharmaceutical therapeutics to expand our current understanding of Oncology with the expectation of better serving our patients and making cancer history.     


The MIT is a representative in multiple Diagnostic Imaging Modalities. In each of imaging section (CT, MR, NM, PET/CT, PET/MR), the MIT:

• Is responsible for provision of high-quality exams while working in a dynamic multi-disciplinary team oriented highly productive patient care environment. 

·     Demonstrates competency in technical skills, teamwork, self-management, innovative thinking, self-development, communication and coaching/development.  Works independently but elicits continual feedback from faculty and management. 

·         Supports the Advanced MRI imaging facility, Center for Advanced Biomedical Imaging, BrainSuite, and iMRI facilities.

• Supports the clinical MRI, CT, Nuclear Medicine, PET/CT and PET/MR departments with advanced imaging procedures, clinical protocol updates, and training.

• Responsible for quality assurance activities on technical equipment and collaborates with appropriate parties to resolve image quality issues. 

·     Remains current on advances in technology and procedures through participation in formal training programs and required in-services (internal and external training).  Performs special projects and/or duties relating to protocol development, new protocol initiatives, new techniques and instruments, and/or professional development.  Collaborates on patient care and research projects with all institutional staff and sponsors.

·         MIT Technologist is expected to conduct training sessions for diagnostic and therapeutic subject matter to students, employees, and/or confrences on topics to include but not limited to:

• new protocols

• advanced brain tumor imaging

• prostate imaging

• cervical (GYN) procedures

• breast imaging

• fMRI

• interventional procedures in MRI

• NM and PET diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals

• NM Theraputic radiopharmaceuticals

• PET/MR Advances

• Responsible for accurately entering data into the appropriate system (e.g. EPIC, RADIANT, Electronic Medical Record, Biodose, source documents)

• Demonstrates flexibility and the ability to work effectively.

• Practices responsible use of communication tools (Status board, paging systems, telephones, email, fax, etc). 

• Maintain productivity standards as defined in the section.

• Error rates are minimized to appropriate established levels.

• Ensures completion of all duties assigned

• Demonstrates technical proficiency required to provide high quality exams while performing all standard of care protocols including advanced, immediate care, in-patient, and research protocol specific procedures.

• Ensures correct imaging site, positioning, annotation, and parameters. 

• Demonstrates knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy to identify pathology, and obtain necessary diagnostic information.

• Demonstrates understanding of imaging principles and imaging parameters that affect image quality.

• Responsible for independent and proficient operation of all assigned diagnostic imaging systems including quality assurance activities and collaborating with appropriate parties to resolve image quality issues or concerns.

• Relays all equipment malfunctions to the DI Engineering Team, medical physicist, supervisor and manager with appropriate information readily available. 

• Applies critical thinking using information from clinical history, medical records, and imaging to ensure the clinical needs of the patients are addressed and discussed with appropriate personnel as necessary.

• Ability to build multimodality imaging protocols from a blank template.

• Demonstrates competency in technical skills, teamwork, self-management, innovative thinking, self-development, communication and coaching/development.  Works independently and without direct supervision.

• Participates in on-going learning activities and demonstrates application of it in his/her role.

• Fosters, assists, and encourages a receptive and nurturing environment by actively contributing to the education activities of patients, family members, faculty, radiology residents, co-workers, volunteers, and students.

• Provides leadership and training to students, technologists, and other staff members on experiences learned via experimental diagnostic imaging and/or targeted therapeutic procedures. Actively seeks opportunities to develop professionally.

• Other duties as assigned.