Job Description
Job DescriptionNuclear Medicine Technologist
VA Syracuse Health Care System – Syracuse, NY Location: Syracuse, NY Schedule: Variable 8‑, 9‑, or 10‑hour shifts
Position Overview
The Nuclear Medicine Technologist performs a full range of nuclear medicine imaging procedures to support the diagnosis and treatment of Veteran patients within the VA Syracuse Health Care System. This role prepares and administers radiopharmaceuticals, operates gamma cameras and SPECT/CT systems, and ensures strict adherence to radiation safety and regulatory standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform routine and advanced nuclear medicine procedures, including SPECT and SPECT/CT imaging.
- Prepare, calculate, and administer radiopharmaceuticals following radiation safety and ALARA principles.
- Operate gamma cameras, dose calibrators, uptake probes, and related equipment.
- Verify patient identity, review clinical indications, and screen for contraindications.
- Position patients accurately to obtain high‑quality diagnostic images.
- Evaluate images for technical adequacy prior to radiologist interpretation.
- Maintain accurate documentation in the EMR and nuclear medicine logs.
- Perform quality control on imaging equipment and radiopharmaceutical doses.
- Follow all VA, NRC, and state regulatory guidelines for radiation safety and waste disposal.
- Provide compassionate, professional patient care and education.
Work Schedule
Personnel may be assigned to any eight (8), nine (9), or ten (10) hour shift depending on departmental needs:
- 8‑hour shifts: Typically five (5) days per week with a 30‑minute lunch/dinner period.
- 9‑hour shifts: Typically a rotating four (4) day / five (5) day workweek, with a 30‑minute lunch/dinner period.
- 10‑hour shifts: Typically a four (4) day workweek.
Additional scheduling expectations include:
- Rotating weekends and holiday shifts
- Variable hours depending on service coverage
- Overtime, On‑Call, and Call‑Back duty as needed, including emergent situations
Qualifications
- NMTCB (CNMT) or ARRT (N) certification required.
- Current BLS certification.
- 1–2 years of recent nuclear medicine experience in a hospital or acute‑care setting preferred.
- Strong knowledge of radiopharmaceutical handling, radiation safety, and imaging protocols.
- SPECT/CT experience strongly preferred.
- Familiarity with PACS and EMR systems (EPIC experience a plus).
- Excellent communication, patient‑care, and critical‑thinking skills.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift, move, and position patients and imaging equipment.
- Prolonged standing, walking, bending, and occasional pushing/pulling of equipment.