Table 1.

Nuclear medicine technologist task classification

Task category	Definition	Included activities
Direct care	Tasks directly related to patient care	Preparing a camera or room for a scan Assisting a patient before or after a procedure Scanning a patient Interacting with patient and/or relative
Indirect care	Tasks indirectly related to patient care	Review of request forms, bookings, preparation requirements for tests Washing hands Cleaning or preparing workbenches, scan equipment and beds Changing bed linen Radiopharmaceutical preparation Quality control Analysing scan Disposal and/or return of radioactive waste, paperwork
Documentation	Data entry into computer or paperwork	Recording doses administered, quality control results and patient demographics
Professional communication	Any work-related discussion with another staff member	Communication on scheduling, transfers, preparation for procedures, protocol to be used and handover of care Includes the use of fixed or mobile phones or pages
Social	Any social or personal activity or discussion	Personal phone calls and discussions Tea, lunch and personal breaks Private reading Private email or social media Bathroom breaks
Supervision and education	Any activity focused on teaching or education	Supervision of other staff members or students Mandatory health training Research Participating in departmental education sessions
Administrative	Any administrative activity not directly related to direct or indirect care or documentation	Preparing rosters Purchase of supplies Maintenance of equipment Employment issues
In transit	Work-related movement between rooms or tasks	Includes movement between scanning rooms, movement outside the department to visit patients on wards