Veterinary Care Generalist - Imaging

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; Urbana (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign seeks a veterinary imaging assistant to provide paramedical and technical support in performing imaging procedures on animals under the radiologist's direction.

You will assist with room setup, positioning, ALARA-based imaging, image critique, and mobile exams in OR and large animal wards. You will help administer contrast under supervision and begin cross-training in advanced modalities while supporting teaching activities.

Responsibilities

• Assist in performing imaging procedures on large and small animals under the direction of the radiologist or senior technician.
• Prepare the x-ray room, restrain and/or position the patient and equipment, set proper exposure technique, and follow ALARA principles.
• Perform warm-up procedures, equipment calibration, image critique, and repeat images as needed.
• Assist in mobile exams in OR and large animal wards using the Min‑X portable machine; operate fluoroscopy under supervision.
• Administer contrast material under supervision and manage patient flow during exams.
• Begin cross-training on advanced modalities (Ultrasound, CT, MRI, Nuclear Medicine) and assist in teaching staff and students.
• Maintain and clean rooms and machines, report malfunctions, and coordinate maintenance with vendors.
• Assist in data collection for projects and rounds, and support EMR/PACS imaging workflows.

Job description

Duties and Responsibilities

Learn to provide paramedical and technical support in performing imaging procedures.

• Assist in performing imaging procedures on Large and Small animals under the direction of the radiologist or senior technician. Retake or perform additional images as requested by ordering veterinarian or radiologist. Advise radiologist of any special or unique patients or situations that could affect exam. Special requests by clinicians are directed to the radiologist for approval.
• Open Radiology Section. Perform warm‑up procedures on x‑ray equipment. Perform equipment calibration as required. Prepare the x‑ray room, restrain and/or position the patient and equipment to perform the requested diagnostic procedure (small and large animals). Set proper x‑ray exposure technique for the patient size and equipment type. Follow ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Acceptable) principle. Perform image critique for image quality, artifacts, patient position, proper anatomical markers, and patient demographics. Perform repeat images as needed. Perform additional views as needed.
• Assist in performing mobile exams in OR and large animal wards utilizing the Min‑X portable machine. Assist in special procedures including but not limited to myelograms, esophagrams, cystograms, upper Gl's, fistulograms and excretory urograms. Ability to operate the fluoroscopy unit under the direction of the radiologist.
• Assist in directing patient flow through department. Determine amount of oral or IV contrast to be used for a specific exam and patient. Administer contrast material under the supervision of a senior technician.
• Begin cross‑training on advanced modalities consisting of Ultrasound, CT, MRI, or Nuclear Medicine.
• Assist in special projects and/or committees including collection and organization of data as requested by the radiologist, section chief, or animal imaging coordinator. Assist in research projects that require imaging modalities as requested by residents or faculty.
• Perform maintenance needed to keep the rooms and machines clean and operable. Report any malfunctioning of equipment to higher level AIT or animal imaging coordinator. Contact vendor regarding equipment malfunction and maintenance as directed. Learn to provide teaching and instruction to students and new staff on performing imaging procedures.
• Assist higher level techs and students administer sedation as needed to complete exam, under the direction of the radiologist.
• Assist in the instruction of new staff, veterinary technician students, and veterinary professional students on how to perform radiographs-including correct collimation, proper technique selection, proper anatomical position, and image evaluation. Demonstrate correct small and large animal restraint techniques. Review student‑performed images before being submitted to the PACS.
• Assist in the instruction of new staff, veterinary technician students and veterinary professional students on how to evaluate digital radiographs.
• Evaluate and provide input regarding veterinary professional students for teamwork, initiative, dependability, response to guidance, practice of radiation safety, patient handling skills, positioning, technical skills, ability to recognize quality images and how to correct errors, written and oral communications skills with technicians and radiologists. Evaluate and provide input for the junior college instructional program for veterinary technician students. Assist in providing rounds to the veterinary technician students. Participate in the evaluation of students during the OSCEE. Prepare and give rounds to fourth year veterinary students including but not limited to orientation and safety lectures as required by the curriculum.
• Learn to provide support of EMR, the digital imaging interface and storage system (PACS) and other digital image manipulations. Demonstrate competency using PACS. Can effectively network images from imaging equipment. Can provide instruction for new staff and students on locating patient by using filters on browser, correcting patient and exam demographics, merging patients/studies, splitting studies, RIS‑sync exams, sticky note function, measurement tools and filming. Submit images to teleradiology vendor and complete required electronic form. Transfer digital images from referring veterinarians to PACS. Reconcile patient and exam demographics in the PACS. Review radiology orders for appropriate patient history and clinical data for exam ordered. Obtain additional information when needed. Enter charges for daily cases into SANDI. Enter patient and exam information on required logs and as required by the Radiations Safety department.
• Other duties: Stock medications and supplies needed in each exam room. Order medications and supplies through the IMS system. Recognize an emergency, take proper precautions and call for help. Notify Senior Imaging Specialist, radiologist, or animal imaging coordinator of any unusual occurrence. Maintain confidentiality of patient information as regulated by the University of Illinois and Veterinary Teaching Hospital policy. Maintain all radiation safety training required per IEMA and the Division of Radiation Safety regulations. Perform other duties as assigned.