Ultrasound Technician

The Sonographer functions as a healthcare provider who, working under the delegated authority of the supervising physician, serves as a medical imaging professional providing clinically relevant information to assist the physician with the diagnosis and treatment of patients. The Sonographer role and responsibilities include providing diagnostic medical sonography services. The Sonographer activities are performed consistent with their education and training, and in accordance with facility policies and procedures and applicable professional standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Prepare exam room and ultrasound equipment to conduct sonography examinations in accordance with infections disease, sterilization, and patient safety protocols, policies, and procedures.
• Perform the diagnostic medical sonography examination ordered by the supervising physician in accordance with facility protocols which may be 2D and/or 3D.
• Ensure that the sonography examination order is complete. Review patient medical history and supporting clinical information.
• Assume responsibility for the safety of the patient during the sonographic examination.
• Evaluate any contraindications, insufficient patient preparation, and the patient's inability or unwillingness to tolerate the examination and associated procedures.
• Communicate with the patient in a manner appropriate to the patient's ability to understand.
• Apply independent, professional, ethical judgment, and critical thinking to safely perform diagnostic sonography procedures.
• Practices safety at all times, which includes adhering to ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principles for proper radiation safety for team members and patients using mobilization and immobilization devices, following safe patient handling practices, following infection prevention practices (proper personal protective equipment), and following hand hygiene to comply with government agencies or other regulatory bodies.
• Assists providers in diagnostic procedures.
• Use proper patient positioning tools, devices, equipment adjustment, and ergonomically correct scanning techniques to ensure patient comfort and safety, and to prevent compromised data acquisition and musculoskeletal injury to the sonographer.
• Apply independent judgment during the sonography examination to ensure that appropriate anatomical, pathological, and clinical conditions are accurately captured in the examination images.
• As necessary, acquire additional ultrasound imaging to facilitate optimum diagnostic results for the interpreting physician.
• Provide preliminary report/comments of sonography examinations for use by the interpreting physician
• Identify and document any limitations to the sonography examination.
• Ability and willingness to complete number of exams needed for the day, to include add on exams.
• Adhere to accepted professional and ethical standards.
• Establish positive/open relationships with patients, physicians, staff and the public.
• Exercise responsibility to ensure that the ultrasound equipment is functioning accurately and at optimal level.
• Troubleshoot to try to resolve machine issues, contact GE representative or Supervisor if unable to resolve.
• Document any incidental findings that might impact patient safety or patient care and provide that information to the interpreting physician.
• Operate the Viewpoint software reporting system.
• Ensure that the sonography examination results meet the facility standards for Quality Assurance before findings are released for interpretation.
• Work with the appropriate staff to ensure quality patient care.
• Assist with the daily operation of the sonography department.
• Other tasks as required or asked by your Supervisor
• Assist with the education and training of sonography students and new staff
• Prepping and cleaning of procedure tools (SHG/endometrial biopsy/IUD, etc)

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

Education and Experience

• High School diploma or GED
• Sonography education, training, and experience in the specialty area(s) to be performed.
• Demonstrated competence in the specialty area(s) to be performed, including sonographer certification by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), and/or Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).
• Demonstrated commitment to professional growth and lifelong learning (e.g., continuing medical education in the specialty area(s) performed: minimum 30 hours of CME credits every three years and must maintain documentation of appropriate continuing education.
• CPR certification

Knowledge

• OB/GYN Clinical Knowledge - Knowledge in the care of OB/GYN clinical patients.
• Ultrasound Equipment – Knowledge of and understanding in how ultrasound equipment works.
• Medical Terminology – Knowledge of and comprehension of workplace medical terminology.
• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Administrative - Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
• HIPAA – Knowledge of HIPAA regulations, clinic policy and the importance of maintaining patient confidentiality, including abiding by the minimum necessary access and disclosure.

Basic Skills

• Active Learning- Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Active Listening- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Critical Thinking- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. Ability to work independently in high volume, fast-paced, multi-tasking environment.
• Communication – Communication is essential to this position. Communication will occur between all departments and positions to ensure proper patient service. This position requires the ability to understand written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents, the ability to talk to others to convey information effectively and the ability to effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Interpersonal skills – including coordination, instructing, negotiation, persuasion, service orientation and social perceptiveness.
• Time Management skills- Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Coordination- Communicate with MD/DO/APP for patient plan of care. Ability to adapt to changing conditions and work responsibilities.
• Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for training, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Complex Problem-Solving Skills

• Complex Problem Solving- Must be able to think creatively, ask the right questions and consider multiple options. This also includes effective technical knowledge related to diseases and medication.

Technical Skills

• Computer and Technical Skills – demonstrated proficiency with computer skills.
• Troubleshooting- Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
• Must be able to work standard office equipment; computers, fax machines, copiers, printers, telephones, etc.

Systems Skills

• Judgment and Decision Making- Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Work Context

Communication

• This position will require communication between all staff and departments.

Role Relationships

• This position plays an integral role in providing healthcare to patients and communicating with providers.

Responsibility for Others

• This position does not have direct reports.

Work Setting

• This position primarily works in a clinical office environment.
• Climate controlled office.

Work Attire

• This position requires wearing an approved scrub uniform and closed toe shoes.
• A uniform jacket is provided.
• A name tag is provided and required to be worn during working hours.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

• Frequent exposure to sharp objects and instruments.
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases, hazardous materials, and pharmacological agents.
• Use of computers and a telephone throughout the work day.
• Frequent use of keyboard with repetitive motion of hands, wrists, and fingers.
• Repetitive motion of shoulders, arms, wrists, and hands while scanning patients.
• Frequent sitting with movement through department.
• Ability to move freely (standing, stooping, walking, bending, pushing, and pulling) and lift up to a maximum of forty to fifty (40-50) pounds without assistance.
• Ability to complete up to a 120-minute ultrasound scan as needed.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and viewing/using a computer
• Prolonged repetitive movements of hands, fingers and arms for typing and/or writing during work shift
• Ability to read and view fine print.
• Ability to reach, stoop, and bend to retrieve files and supplies to complete tasks.
• Must be able to lift, carry or otherwise move and position objects weighing 40-50lbs at times.

Tools and Technology

Computers

Scanners/Copy Machines

Calendar and scheduling software

Electronic mail software (including Outlook)

Medical software - EPIC

Microsoft Office suite software

Other Technology

• Medical equipment as needed including ultrasound machines and Trophon’s.

Note

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) of this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee(s) will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an at will relationship.