Imaging Assistant

The following are duties and expectations related to working as a member of the Cerro Alto Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Hospital Radiology Team.   

• Assist with ultrasound and CT imaging for a variety of species, primarily small animals, with occasional work on exotics.  
• Able to facilitate transferring patients between buildings for ultrasound. 
• Prepare patients for imaging, ensuring proper positioning, and comfort. 
• Proficient in various sedation and anesthesia protocols and monitoring.  
• Maintain and calibrate ultrasound and CT equipment to ensure optimal performance. 
• Follow safety protocols to ensure the well-being of patients and staff.  
• Assist in additional diagnostic imaging procedures (e.g., radiographs and CT) as needed. 
• Maintain the cleanliness and inventory of the Radiology department.  
• Proper use of all hospital equipment  
• Use of professional medical language  
• Actively participate in onboarding and training of new and existing team members to ensure a supportive and knowledgeable work environment.  
• Professional/compassionate client communication  
• Communicate with other team members in a professional manner at all times, especially when directing on tasks.  
• Safely restrain dogs, cats, and other animal patients. Use safety equipment when needed – cat bags, muzzles, protective towel wraps, e-collars, and back supports. Always ask for help if you do not feel confident or competent to work with a patient. 
• Attend all scheduled staff meetings.  
• Attend CE whenever possible (online, internal opportunities, outside  opportunities, reading materials, etc.)  
• Be capable of working in a fast-paced medical environment for extended periods of time. 
• Due to the nature of our 24 hours hospital setting, some shifts may include nights, weekends & holidays. Shifts may go beyond the scheduled times due to heavy caseloads.  

Qualifications:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform essential duties satisfactorily and with a positive attitude.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  

General:  

? Answer telephone if the CSR is not able to do so by the third ring  

? Assist with treatments, triage, assisting the doctors and other team members when needed  

? Attention to details on treatment sheets, charts, financials, and logs  

? Advise doctors of pertinent patient/client information when appropriate Patients:  

? Make sure that all patients are kept clean and that patients to be released are ready to go at a moments notice  

? Treat all animals with compassion and respect – alive or deceased  

? Never physically discipline an animal  Supplies:  

? Refill all medical and non-medical supplies as needed  

? Note deficiencies on the ‘supply want list’  

? Help keep exam rooms stocked and clean  

? Keep all bottles filled  

? Keep paper towels stocked and ready to go  

? Keep laundry folded neatly in designated areas of the hospital  

Skills:  

Must be proficient in working in a veterinary hospital, have excellent animal handling skills, some computer/office equipment knowledge, basic medical terminology. Employees must also be able to perform essential duties as described throughout this job description.  

Physical Requirements:  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  

     ? While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to do detailed work, using arms, hands, and fingers to manipulate the required hospital equipment. The employee is required to stand for long periods of time and intermittently sit, stand, walk, stoop, bend, and reach throughout the shift. Good eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity is needed. Specific vision abilities include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.   

     ? While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. (When required by the Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)  

Work Environment:  

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of radiation. 

The noise level is usually moderate. Since everyone within the hospital works on a time schedule governed by each patient’s emergent or critical state, the work and general environment can become somewhat hectic at times. Therefore, it is essential that the employee is able to, both physically and emotionally, handle the normal anxieties associated with the job.  

Competencies:  

? Is emotionally and mentally mature, able to engender trust, and always ready to listen 

? Treats all with respect and courtesy  

? Can work well in teams of co-workers  

? Can accept constructive criticism  

? Has a desire and ability to work well with the public  

? Is organized, motivated, committed and self-directed  

? Has a positive attitude about the hospital and the services provided  

? Ability to communicate – express thoughts and ideas competently  

? Able to quickly grasp relevant concepts regarding duties and responsibilities 

? Has dependable job attendance and punctuality  

? Can be relied on to follow through with assigned tasks  

? Discourage gossip and negative conversations and/or actions that lower morale 

Authority:  

Has no direct authority other than to perform job tasks in a professional manner at all times.