Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To take the lead technologist role with respect to quality markers, patient safety and clinical governance within the department.
• To take the lead technologist role in QSI accreditation, application process and registration. 
• Manage and assist with all technical aspects of the service, providing the specialist technical expertise and support as required and take a lead role in the development of specialist clinical governance protocols and procedures.
• Actively work to improve the safety and quality of the departments specialised services; this includes but is not limited to, Datix Management, Qpulse Management (Clinical), to participate in imaging risk management and quality / audit programmes, collating actions/outcome of appropriate audits and disseminating to staff.
• Lead Nuclear Medicine QIPS and attend Radiology Governance meetings to facilitate a channel of communication that will enable us to communicate updates of our service developments and KPI’s at these forums.
• Act as first line support for information, advice and support (for staff, patients and carers) regarding patient safety and clinical governance.  Provide solutions to complex, non-standard situations and act as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• To undertake the managerial duties of the Nuclear Medicine Technical Manager (and deputy) in their absence and to assist with these duties at all other times
• Purchase radiopharmaceuticals, organise patient scheduling and technician workload. Ensure efficient and economic purchasing by appropriate patient scheduling but without compromising clinical need. Adapt the schedules (several times a day) in response to unpredictable urgent requests from consultant medical staff. Maintain a high quality patient service, at all times, through the efficient use of equipment, staff and other resources.
• Administer radiopharmaceuticals to patients by means of intravenous injection, orally or as a gas. Adhere to all written procedures covering such administrations and including patient identification, administered activity, pregnancy, breast feeding and restriction to the patient’s actions post administration. 
• Provide the patient with a full explanation of the investigation, responding in detail to patient and relative’s questions and advising where appropriate. Patients will often have a serious disease including cancer.
• Take blood samples in accordance with the diagnostic investigation.
• Work within an aseptic laboratory and, without direct supervision, undertake Radiopharmacy duties that include the elution of radionuclide generators and the manufacture of radiopharmaceuticals suitable for patient administration.
• To perform a wide range of routine and specialist radionuclide investigations, using a gamma camera, to obtain the optimum diagnostic images of radiopharmaceutical distribution, and other radiation counting and monitoring equipment.
• To perform a wide range of routine and non-routine radionuclide investigations, using a PET-CT scanner to obtain high quality diagnostic images of the radiopharmaceutical distribution. To follow standard imaging protocols as requested on the referral.
• To perform a wide range of routine and specialist non-imaging investigations requiring the acquisition and analysis of samples and use of radiation counting and monitoring equipment.
• To undertake routine and specialist image processing and data analysis as required. Presenting the images and data in a manner that facilitates efficient reporting. Altering display protocols as necessary to optimise image presentation.
• Take an active role in the development and review of all protocols and procedures. Adapt protocols to meet the needs of individual patients. Assist with the development of new techniques and system of work and participate in the departmental research programmes.
• Participate in technologist recruitment.
• To supervise technical staff, trainees and students and to be accountable for their work. To supervise the radiation safety of visiting staff including medical and scientific personnel, students, nurses and support workers.
• Maintain data and records associated with specialist area(s) for use in audit, research and development and training purposes. This will include the regular development and maintenance of databases / spreadsheets.
• Liaise with scientific, medical, nursing and support staff; exchanging complex information relevant to the patient’s investigation.
• Undertake the procedures required when people or the environment become contaminated with radioactive material. This includes dealing with the containment, decontamination and disposal of radioactive material arising from the spillage of a radiopharmaceutical source/injection or body fluid and excreta, including urine, blood and faeces, from a patient who had been administered a radiopharmaceutical.
• Take an active role in the department’s radiation protection and quality assurance programmes. Daily test imaging and non-imaging equipment to ensure correct performance.
• To minimise financial costs by safe and effective use of high capital value equipment in excess of £1,000,000
• Be aware of and conform to the relevant legislation governing the practice of Nuclear Medicine Technology, following the safe working practices as described by local and national policy.
• Participate in appropriate training and development activities.

For further details of the role please see the attached job description.