PET/ CT Technologist

Within Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., the Clinical Research Directorate (CRD), various clinical support teams provide high-quality comprehensive and strategic operational support to the high-profile domestic and international clinical research initiatives of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Clinical Center (CC), National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). CRD's support services are strategically aligned with the program's mission to provide comprehensive, dedicated support to assist National Institutes of Health (NIH) researchers in providing the highest quality of clinical research in compliance with applicable regulations and guidelines, maintaining data integrity, and protecting human subjects. For the scientific advancement of clinical research, CRD services include comprehensive clinical trials monitoring, regulatory, pharmacovigilance, protocol navigation and development, and programmatic and project management support for facilitating the conduct of 400+ Phase I, II, and III domestic and international trials on a yearly basis. These trials investigate the prevention, diagnosis, treatment of, and therapies for cancer, influenza, HIV, and other infectious diseases and viruses such as hepatitis C, tuberculosis, malaria, and Ebola virus; heart, lung, and blood diseases and conditions; parasitic infections; rheumatic and inflammatory diseases; and rare and neglected diseases. CRD's collaborative approach to clinical research and the expertise and dedication of staff to the continuation and success of the program's mission has contributed to improving the overall standards of public health on a global scale.

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

The Clinical Monitoring Research Program Directorate (CMRPD) provides imaging services to the Molecular Imaging Program (MIP), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), National Cancer Institute (NCI).

• Performs advanced, computer-based PET and MRI procedures on NCI patients and experimental animals within the NCI in support of the Molecular Imaging Program (MIP), and assist radiologists in performing a variety of imaging examinations using sterile techniques
• Performs computer data acquisition and processing of brain and body PET scans (including PET/CT scans) using a wide variety of radiopharmaceuticals, image reconstruction and display, scanner calibration, region of interest analysis, computer data transfer and archiving, and operation of ancillary PET laboratory equipment to study organ perfusion, metabolism receptor function, etc. in patients
• Executes standard operating procedures (SOPs) in the performance of studies
• Draws, calibrates, and administers radioisotopes to patients
• Obtains blood samples manually or with automated equipment for radioactivity and biochemistry analyses
• Ensures patient safety and comfort while the patient is under study and provide first aid and/or CPR to patient when necessary
• Performs non-standard PET imaging in accordance with the specialized protocols developed for this purpose
• Performs CT including administration of oral and intravenous contrast via a mechanical pump injector
• Operates and performs routine maintenance for ancillary PET equipment (automated blood sampling systems, computerized gamma well counters, infusion pumps, blood gas machine, electronic balance, etc.)
• Verifies that required administrative procedures for patients (e.g. informed consent forms, radiopharmacy prescriptions) have been followed prior to each study
• Orders and maintains the necessary supplies for clinical use as required
• Practices and maintains knowledge of all safety procedures, departmental policies and procedures, Universal Precautions, and new and developing technologies and regulatory issues to support clinical and administrative decision-makers
• Monitors patient vital signs using MRI compatible monitoring equipment
• Performs select clinical duties which include injecting with contrast enhancing agents and flushing vascular access devices (VAD), i.e., Hickman, Groshong, triple lumen, PICC lines and ports, with appropriate anticoagulants
• Prescreens patients using an MR eligibility checklist and receives patients, explains procedures, and answers all patient questions and concerns pertaining to the exam
• Reconstructs images, archives and transfers information to a database
• Develops and implements quality assurance and evaluation programs for applicable equipment to ensure high quality images
• Participates in the design and interpretation of new research protocols/projects, particularly the allocation of equipment, sufficiency of equipment and computer software and the impact of new methods on other protocols and techniques and assist with manuscript preparation
• Evaluates and reports the performance of equipment and acceptance testing of new equipment in a timely manner
• Cross-trains in other imaging modalities such as PET-CT
• Performs quality control and records maintenance as applicable
• Provides in-service training to staff and physicians, as necessary, to ensure high quality images, a radiation safe environment, and compliance with regulatory standards
• Provides quality care to patients of varying categories, i.e., pediatric, geriatric and adolescent
• This position is in support for the Center for Cancer Research (CCR), and is located at the NIH in Bethesda, Maryland

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Possession of an Associate's degree from an accredited college/university and/or the completion of accredited state certification in Radiology Technology, Nuclear Medicine Technology, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) from a professional program approved by a legally designated state accrediting agency at the time the program was completed
• Must possess current state MRI or PET/CT licensure, CRT and CPR certifications
• Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency
• A minimum of 2 years PET-CT experience
• Possesses knowledge of State-of-the art PET-CT techniques and is capable of performing a diagnostic CT scan as needed
• Willingness to learn MRI and become certified as an MRI technologist (if not already certified)
• Ability to engage in proper safety, emergency preparedness, and infection control practices
• Must be able to demonstrate and/or describe how to respond to an emergency involving a life threatening medical condition, security incident, failure of a critical building utility, fire or other hazardous materials incident
• Must have working knowledge of proper universal precautions and appropriate measures for preventing the spread of infection
• Communicates and interacts effectively with patients, their families, and other external and internal customers (including fellow employees) from diverse backgrounds
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• ARRT certificate preferred but not required
• A Radiation Technology Magnetic Resonance (RTMR) certificate is preferred, but not required
• Cross-trained in MRI and PET/CT

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) | Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran (M/F/D/V) | Drug Free Workplace (DFW)