Nuclear Medicine Physician

Job Summary The Nuclear Medicine Physician will supervise the use of radioactive materials for patient care. The responsibilities include overseeing the radiopharmaceutical handling and administration as well as interpreting the images produced. Responsibilities Obtain patients’ histories from electronic records, patient interviews, dictated reports, and by communicating with referring clinicians. Review procedure requests with patients' medical histories to determine appropriate tests or protocols to be performed based on patients' needs or conditions. Provide counseling to patients and referring providers to explain the processes, risks, benefits, and alternative treatments to imaging procedures. Prescribe appropriate radionuclides and dosages to be administered to individual patients. Develop and monitor procedures for patient care to ensure appropriate radioactive dose handling, accurate dose administration, and optimal image quality. Direct nuclear medicine technologists or technicians regarding desired dosages, techniques, positioning, projections, and image processing. Oversee administration of radioisotopes to patients, including calculation, measurement and preparation of the radioisotope dosages and production of quality images. Compare nuclear medicine imaging findings with other procedures such as computed tomography, ultrasonography, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, and angiography. Prepare comprehensive interpretive reports of findings and communicates imaging results to referring physicians, patients, and families as appropriate. Develop and monitor quality control of nuclear medicine procedures and radiation protection for patients and staff including safe radionuclide handling and disposal to ensure that activities comply with all applicable regulations. Provide input on the appropriate selection and expected operation of nuclear medicine supplies and equipment. Actively participate in continual quality improvement activities. Participate in continuing education activities to maintain and develop expertise and meet regulatory requirements. Consult with anesthesiologists when appropriate regarding recommended dosages or combinations of sedative drugs.