Job no: 515441
Work type: Staff Full-Time
Location: Main Campus (Gainesville, FL)
Categories: Agriculture/Life Science/Vet Medicine, Veteran's Preference Eligible
Department:28313500 - VM-RADIOLOGY

Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging Technician I/II (CARE)

Nursing Care/Patient Care:

The primary role of the technician is to support other services by producing quality imaging and maintaining exemplary patient care. The technician will work under the direction and supervision of the Radiologist, Residents, senior technicians, and Veterinary Diagnostic Manager following all policies and procedures as directed. The person is expected to have good skills and know when to ask for help or seek guidance.

We want staff to promote patient safety and quality care by practicing active listening, maintaining open communication with the patient care team and building work relationships built on the foundation of mutual trust and respect while treating each patient as if it was their own cherished pet. Patients should be handled with care with the goal to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety, and stress during their visit.

Examples of this include but not limited to the following:

• Handles patients safely and compassionately
• Ensure patients are properly identified and safely transported in the hospital
• Able to safely administer sedation as needed following protocols and veterinarian’s orders while continuing to monitor patients during diagnostic imaging procedure.
• Weigh patients and ensure their weight is accurate in the medical record and RIS
• Properly position patients for general diagnostic digital radiographic examinations for small and large animals.
• Able to use physical and or chemical restraints during diagnostic examinations.
• Demonstrate the ability to produce quality imaging in specific modalities with a high level of understanding of the basic operations of that equipment
• Demonstrate the knowledge and proper use of radiographic equipment in regards to collimation, MA, Time and KVP.
• Assist in diagnostic workups by submitting samples and participating when needed
• Demonstrate proper radiation safety using ALARA, proper shielding with lead attire and monitoring with film badges.
• Work with the services to ensure that procedures are booked appropriately

Scheduling/Billing/Documentation:

We expect individual to obtain a strong understanding of the scheduling and diagnostic imaging software and the services throughout the hospital. Person must be able to keep up with busy schedule and be proactive to ensure the entire service is running efficiently while maintaining positivity. It is integral to ensure that patient records are complete and proper communication has occurred with the patient care team including charges are accurate, body weight is correctly documented, and sedation has been appropriately recorded. Staff is expected to confirm they are imaging correct patient and correct body part. We encourage staff to speak up if they feel there is a discrepancy. Person is expected to be proactive when it comes to communication and scheduling to help facilitate the best needs of the patients and schedule.

Examples of this include but not limited to the following:

• Recognize and manage time snares to ensure maximum efficiency of the schedule
• Be proactive by making others aware of possible concerns/issues with the schedule
• Demonstrate the ability to work with the RIS (Radiology Information System) schedule
• Assist hospital services when scheduling patients in the RIS system or if they need assistance to get a patient ready for imaging
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the functionality of the RIS in regards to patient flow.
• Identify and resolve errors in the RIS order.
• Record sedation orders in medical record
• Recognizing an inappropriate request and confirming with patient care team
• Ensuring identification collars are on patients
• Double checking charges to ensure items have bene appropriately charged
• Holding a patient or obtaining a blood sample to assist another service

Hospital Cleanliness and General Service Support

Responsible for not compromising and adhering to the required levels of cleanliness throughout the service while creating a safe and accident free environment. Abiding by infection control protocols is of utmost importance for the safety of our patients and staff. The overall aesthetics of the hospital area is a direct reflection on the high quality care we provide so it is important the areas are kept in pristine condition.

Examples of work include but are not limited to the following:

• Practice appropriate infection control by managing biohazardous patient care items and lab specimens appropriately
• Maintain and keep all work and break areas cleaned and organized
• Maintain equipment within room and report broken or malfunctioning equipment to the appropriate manager
• Check drugs and supplies for expiration date and stock supplies when needed
• Notify the appropriate person on necessary work orders
• Ensure cages and runs including drains, grates, and doors are cleaned every day and as needed
• Sweep and mop floors
• Disinfect and clean equipment
• Take out trash and recyclables
• Assist with processing laundry as needed
• Ensure that equipment is turned off appropriately as needed.
• Ensure area is locked at the end of the day

Scheduling/Billing/Documentation

We expect individual to obtain a strong understanding of the scheduling and diagnostic imaging software and the services throughout the hospital. Person must be able to keep up with busy schedule and be proactive to ensure the entire service is running efficiently while maintaining positivity. It is integral to ensure that patient records are complete and proper communication has occurred with the patient care team including charges are accurate, body weight is correctly documented, and sedation has been appropriately recorded. Staff is expected to confirm they are imaging correct patient and correct body part. We encourage staff to speak up if they feel there is a discrepancy. Person is expected to be proactive when it comes to communication and scheduling to help facilitate the best needs of the patients and schedule.

Examples of this include but not limited to the following:

• Recognize and manage time snares to ensure maximum efficiency of the schedule
• Be proactive by making others aware of possible concerns/issues with the schedule
• Demonstrate the ability to work with the RIS (Radiology Information System) schedule
• Assist hospital services when scheduling patients in the RIS system or if they need assistance to get a patient ready for imaging
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the functionality of the RIS in regards to patient flow.
• Identify and resolve errors in the RIS order.
• Record sedation orders in medical record
• Recognizing an inappropriate request and confirming with patient care team
• Ensuring identification collars are on patients
• Double checking charges to ensure items have bene appropriately charged
• Holding a patient or obtaining a blood sample to assist another service

Mentoring/Teaching/Communication/Team Building

Create a safe and welcoming learning environment that promotes further education and development of staff and students by fostering positivity, respect and trust. Communicate in a warm and friendly manner to all parties of the patient care team and ask frequently; “how can I help?�� Promote teamwork within the service and with lateral services to meet the needs of our patients and effectively support team members. Strive to build cohesive relationships among staff, students, and clients by creating a culture of dialogue and inviting thoughts and ideas to discuss. Assist others in learning various diagnostic imaging techniques, protocols, and procedures. We want our staff to encourage a positive work environment which is done by being coolheaded/even-keeled during any situation and maintain a positive attitude.

Examples of this include but not limited to the following:

• Recognize when others may be struggling with either technical skills or concepts and try to assist and encourage them while also informing the manager/supervisor so they can assist
• Assist new technicians/assistants with developing their skills and knowledge to enable each individual to discover the most effective and efficient way to accomplish patient care, student teaching and clinician support.
• Help others with RIS orders and PACS use.
• Help others to find answers to questions that are not in your knowledge base by redirecting them to an appropriate person.
• Demonstrate a professional appearance and attitude at all times.
• Communicate with professional dialect maintaining a positive helpful attitude with appropriate body language.
• Direct concerns to appropriate person as needed.
• Demonstrate the ability to receive feedback, positive or negative, gracefully and use it for professional growth.
• Support your co-workers by being flexible with schedule changes.
• Be available and open to help with tasks as needed.
• Take initiative to pick up duties when co-workers are unavailable.
• Show appreciation to co-workers when they assist your growth technically.
• Give positive feedback often and genuinely and encouraging.

Continuing Education

It is important the individual continue to increase and develop knowledge and skills. As an AAHA accredited practice, it is necessary to ensure staff obtain the required hours of CE. To be successful the individual should take an active role in continuing their education in the field of veterinary medicine and develop a strong understanding of hospital operations especially in diagnostic imaging. Those new to the field of Diagnostic imaging should focus their attention on mastering the modalities in the area.

• Attend mandatory staff/service meetings
• Attend hospital wide meetings if time permits
• Must obtain a minimum of 10 hours documented CE in the field of Veterinary Medicine each year
• Complete required training such as compliance, FERPA, HIPPA, CPR, etc as directed by administration
• Shadow other services to develop better relationships and gain a better understanding of their workflow
• Work closely with senior technicians to develop skills and knowledge of assigned modalities
• Use any downtime to review protocols, shadow other modalities, or ask questions to expand knowledge

$15.00 - $17.00 per hour

Technician I: High school diploma or equivalent and three years of appropriate experience or college coursework in a related field.

Technician II: Associate’s degree and two years of appropriate experience. Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience. Credentials in a related field such as Veterinary Technology or Radiologic Technology.

• Experience in veterinary medicine and/or diagnostic imaging
• Proficiency with basic computer functions and ability to quickly learn new programs
• Excellent Customer Service Skills
• Good communication skills, both verbally (telephone and person-to-person); as well as good literacy skills(ability to read and compose grammatically correct sentences) are critical to the success of this position.
• Ability to effectively communicate with employees of various levels and responsibilities and clients
• Ability to effectively maintain a working environment while in stressful situations
• Good computer skills
• Ability to deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate
• Ability to perform basic arithmetic calculations involving money
• Knowledge of Medical Terminology, veterinary medicine, medical records, and billing systems
• Ability to make timely decisions
• Ability to work within a team and perform with minimum supervision
• Ability to multitask as well as ability to set and change priorities in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment while maintaining a positive attitude
• Ability to work accurately with attention to detail
• Ability to handle frequent interruptions and adapt to changes in workload and work schedule
• Ability to set priorities and solve problems

This is a full time position that will eventually participate in on-call which covers after hours, weekends, and holidays. Hours may adjust for training purposes. Please list any days/times that you would be unavailable to work.

In order to be considered, you must upload your cover letter, resume and list of at least three references.

This is a CARE position offering limited benefits, including health insurance and paid time off.

This position is considered essential personnel

Application must be submitted by 11:55 p.m. (ET) of the posting end date.

This position is eligible for veteran’s preference. If you are claiming veteran’s preference, please upload a copy of your DD 214 Member Copy 4 with your application for consideration. See our Veteran's Preference Page for more specific information.

Yes; Must be able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs, bend, kneel, pull, push, twist and stand for an extended period of time.

Advertised: 02 Mar 2021 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: 09 Mar 2021 Eastern Standard Time