At Houston Methodist, the Lead Mammography Technologist position performs specialized functions as a regular part of their normal job responsibilities. In addition to performing at a Technologist II level, this position serves as the liaison and primary point of contact between management, staff and physicians for routine matters. The Lead Mammography Technologist position answers questions and resolves issues for the Mammography Technologist I & II job roles as well as other members of the care team to ensure the delivery of exceptional patient care and adherence to practice standards. This position ensures optimal patient safety, quality outcomes, and customer service. Duties for this position may include the following tasks: organize work schedules and delegate work assignments; reviews timecards for accuracy; conduct quality assurance audits; develop and implement quality improvement activities; train, mentor and develop staff; and provide feedback on staff performance or development needs. The Lead Mammography Technologist position may direct or regularly participate in special projects; collect, analyze, and report on data or metrics; and hold other responsibilities of a similar nature and level.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment and leads the team to be a dynamic and focused work unit that actively helps one other to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner. Role models effective communication skills to team members, assisting in their development of such skills.

• Orients, guides and mentors team members consisting of Mammography Technologist I and II, students and support staff, to help build confidence and competency in skills, knowledge and abilities. Effectively implements protocols and objectives with team members to result in optimization of staff performance, teamwork, patient safety, and customer service.

• Serves as the primary resource for staff in all areas of service that the department performs. Interfacing with department staff to provide feedback to management on team member's performance and conduct. Collaborates and supports management for improvement of employee satisfaction, implementation of protocols and objectives with team members to result in optimization of staff performance, teamwork, patient safety, and customer service.

• Leads and initiates problem resolution within the work unit. Facilitates teamwork by coordinating department needs and responding positively to requests for assistance. Role-models skills, through peer-to-peer accountability, to contribute towards improving department efficiencies and customer satisfaction.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs mammograms for screening, diagnostic and interventional purposes; completes quality controls as necessary. Works independently by exercising sound judgment and executing above average clinical skills on challenging diagnostic procedures and patient care situations. Provides direct assistance to physicians during diagnostic procedures, including assisting with sterile technique.

• Proactively assesses, identifies and responds to the needs of the patient for adjustment or intervention to optimize patient care, image quality and patient experience including positioning, physiology, procedure preparation, and technical factors. Modifies technical factors to achieve desired imaging results and recognizes complications and limitations associated with certain procedures. Proactively identifies how to address these for optimum outcomes.

• Serves as liaison between team members, management and physicians, resolving routine matters for the shift and modality. Assists physicians during procedures.

• Provides accurate explanations and instructions to patients and family members at an appropriate level utilizing verbal and non-verbal skills, terminology and language.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Follows safety standards and conducts all imaging procedures accordingly. Uses ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) to protect patients, staff and general public, and follows radiation safety standards. Maintains proper sterile techniques for procedures, regularly practices aseptic techniques, and ensures compliance with radiation safety and infection control procedures. Complies with job, department and hospital safety standards, practices and policies. Uses critical thinking skills to review and critique images and adjusts as needed to obtain highest quality images to meet requirements of MQSA regulations.

• Identifies opportunities for corrective action and process improvement providing recommendations and contributes to meeting department and hospital targets for quality and safety. Reports ¿near misses¿ and inputs errors promptly into appropriate hospital patient safety reporting system to improve processes and identify trends. Provides feedback to management on team members' performance and conduct. Conducts quality audits (quality control) on equipment, processes, outcomes and team member performance. Documents, develops and evaluates processes and procedures.

• Assists with implementation and education of department-based safety initiatives, standards of practice and protocols. Develops skills of team members and continually assists with improving skills.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides accurate and complete documentation of patient procedures. Enter charges at the time service is delivered. Participates in the budgeting process for capital and minor equipment. Reconciliation of invoices.

• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks and provides leadership to team members on effective and efficient utilization of time. Accurately review team member's timecards for management approval, as appropriate.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Fosters a positive and constructive teaching environment by engaging students and co-workers (Mammography Technologist I, II and support staff) in learning opportunities that are valuable and in alignment with business objectives.

• Participates in department projects and shared governance activities. Actively leads and supports special projects and department initiatives and seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certifications, Licenses and Registrations section
  

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Four years' experience as a Mammography Technologist. May consider HM employee with three years' experience, as a Mammography Technologist who demonstrates leadership abilities
  

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• ARRT-R - Radiologic Technologist - Radiographer (ARRT) AND
• ARRT-M - Radiologic Technologist - Mammography (ARRT) AND
• CMRT - Certified Medical Radiologic Technologist - State Licensure OR
• CMRT-Temp - Certified Medical Radiologic Technologist - Temporary State Licensure AND
• BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Ability to work independently; capable of handling challenging / difficult diagnostic procedures and patient care situations. Demonstrates sound judgment and executes above average clinical skills

• Possesses basic computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems to include, Hospital / Radiology Information Systems and Office software to maintain patient and exam documents

• Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers

• Adapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision including organizing workflow and actively participating in problem-solving

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional No
• Other (department approved) Yes

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* Yes

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area Yes

Since its founding in 1919, Houston Methodist Hospital has earned worldwide recognition. Houston Methodist Hospital is affiliated with the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the nation's leading centers for medical education and research.  In 2020, U.S. News & World Report named Houston Methodist Hospital to its top ranked Honor Roll for the fourth time and second consecutive year. 2020 also marked the ninth year in a row Houston Methodist Hospital has been named the No. 1 hospital in Texas. Houston Methodist Hospital directs millions of research dollars into patient care and offers the latest innovations in medical, surgical and diagnostic techniques. With 952 operating beds, 85 operating rooms and over 8,000 employees, Houston Methodist offers complete care for patients from around the world.

 

The same high-quality care for which Houston Methodist is known is available at several Emergency Care Centers in Houston and the surrounding areas.  These Emergency Care Centers house exam rooms, full digital radiography suite, low radiation dose 16-slice CT scan, ultrasound and a full on-site stat chemistry lab.