X-Ray Support Specialist

Position Summary 

Working under the clinical direction of the Director of Radiation Safety in the Division of Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology and administrative direction under the Director of Operations for General Dentistry in the College of Dental Medicine.

The Division of Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology has excluded marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of the fundamental job duties. All duties and requirements are essential. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervision and/or other management. The Division of Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need arises. 

Responsibilities: 

• Educates and supervises students in radiographic technique and associated topics, including but not limited to head and neck clinical and radiographic anatomy, patient positioning, examination techniques, equipment protocols, radiation safety, and patient care.
• Educates patients on radiation safety and the significance of accurate radiographic images in dental care.
• Understands and checks radiographic prescriptions for appropriateness based on clinical information provided. All questionable prescriptions are communicated to the in-clinic radiologist for final approval.
• Performs correctly all types of intraoral, extraoral, and advanced dental imaging, namely bitewing, periapical, panoramic, cephalometric, and CBCT imaging, after training by the Director of Radiation Safety of the Division of Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology.
• Positions patients correctly and selects appropriate imaging settings to ensure best case imaging, based on the College’s Standard Reference on Image Technique and Quality, and all current standard practice protocols of the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology.
• Offers concise explanation of imaging procedure to patients and answers their questions on x-ray risk, safety, procedures, and equipment clearly and correctly.
• Places surgical guides and dental-related appliances correctly inside patients mouths as needed for imaging.
• Observes patient while in the imaging area for changes in status, and identifies and corrects problems as appropriate, with all critical occurrences reported to the in-clinic radiologist.
• Images the prescribes anatomic region completely, correctly, and efficiently.
• Mounts and processes all acquired imaging in electronic format correctly and efficiently.
• Judges’ diagnostic quality of all acquired imaging and makes necessary corrections with consent from the in-clinic radiology prior to submission for interpretation.
• Ensures all documentation pre and post imaging are complete.
• Assists students in image technique, image quality assessment, and associated documentation as necessary to ensure patient workflow efficiency.
• Performs clerical responsibilities associated with acquisition, processing, duplicating, and archiving of patient records and radiologist reports, including but not limited to import and export of imaging into and out of the clinical management system and electronic health record, and provision of any requested imaging-related material to faculty, residents, and students at the College of Dental Medicine for academic and research purposes, with approval from the in-clinic radiologist.
• Operates and maintains x-ray equipment daily, such as checking and maintaining instrument inventory and distributing supplies.
• Maintains logbooks with x-ray equipment performance data; performs quality assurance; maintains records for and participates in quality assurance inspection.
• Conforms to all applicable HIPAA, OSHA, Infection Control, Safety and Billing Compliance guidelines.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and at least three years of related experience or equivalent in education, training and experience or Masters degree and at least one year experience.
• Successful completion of the Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam of the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB), or equivalent, such as certification in limited scope radiography
• Certification as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA), or equivalent, such as a Limited Medical Radiologic Technologist (LMRT)
• Dedication and willingness to do intraoral x-ray imaging

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in all types of dental x-ray imaging, including intraoral, extraoral, and CBCT
• Certification as a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)
• Certification as a Radiologic Technologist (RT)

Other Requirements

• Experience in teaching and training student healthcare providers

Equal opportunity employer / disability / veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.