Sonographer

Job Summary

Provide ultrasound imaging services to patients in accordance with physicians orders. Prepare ultrasound rooms and diagnostic equipment. Perform high quality testing, operating equipment according to prescribed safety standards, and develop films. Exercise professional judgment and uphold medical ethics in performance of diagnostic services. Apply knowledge of the principles of growth and development to identify requirements relative to age specific patients. Maintain strict patient and staff confidentiality.

Essential Responsibilities

• Diagnostic Testing: Performs quality images through clinical protocols and positions patients to best demonstrate anatomic area of interest, respecting patients comfort and ability. Demonstrates knowledge to perform Ultrasound procedures with appropriate equipment. Develops films in accordance with radiographic techniques. Evaluates images for technical quality, assuring proper identification is recorded. Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to provide radiology services to all age groups served. Provides patient education on procedures according to age-specific needs. Facilitates patients cooperation and alleviates anxiety by addressing concerns. Verifies appropriate procedure to be performed by checking physicians orders and outpatient prescriptions. Contacts physicians with discrepancies. Ensures appropriate documentation is completed prior to procedure. Assist Radiologists with procedures as needed.
• Computer System: Ensures patient information is accurately inputted into departmental computer system. Checks-in patients for the appropriate radiological procedure, as directed in IDX-Rad. Selects the correct account during check-in, as directed in IDX-Rad. Completes patient procedure, as directed in IDX-Rad.
• Customer Service: Provides timely, responsive, expert services to customers in a positive friendly manner, to include patient, physicians, and other fellow employees. Informs consumers and those accompanying them when delays exist and how they are being addressed. Promotes patient focused care throughout daily activities. Provides quality patient care to include preparation, scheduling, and teaching all types of patient procedures as needed. Maintains strict patient and employee confidentiality, as appropriate.
• Patient and Employee Safety: No deviation from written procedures in Policy and Procedure Manual on radiation safety rules. Performs all necessary equipment checks prior to use, thereby protecting patient and staff safety. Ensures patient and regulatory standards are adhered to and suggests ways to improve patient outcomes when indicated. Completes quality assurance and quality control activities as appropriate. Establishes patients identification. Ensures no repeat studies due to failure to check armband and/or properly identified patient. Observes patient during procedures and reports any unusual occurrences or changes in patients condition to appropriate personnel. Ascertains allergy status on patients, for patients receiving medications. Demonstrates educated and rapid response to contrast reactions as outlined in Policy and Procedure Manual. Assists in performing first aid as necessary, including Code 199 procedures and locating equipment on crash carts.
• General Behavior: Observes patient during procedures and reports any unusual occurrences or changes in condition. Arrives at the start of the assigned shift ready to begin work; takes lunch and breaks at appropriate times, and leaves work at the end of the assigned shift. Maintains neat, clean and well stock radiology room. Identifies staff training issues and participates in Policy and procedures development as appropriates. Communicates concerns as appropriate to lead technologists and management. Works as an effective team member with other colleagues to efficiently perform radiological procedures. Rotates shifts and assignments as required. Rotation will include surgery and portables for Specialty and Hospital staff. Takes stand-by call as assigned. Regulatory: Adheres to Cooperative-wide Personal Protection Equipment, Universal Precautions, Related Medical Waste (RMW), Infection Control, Safety, and other OSHA Policies and Procedures.

Basic Qualifications

Experience

• N/A

Education

• High School Diploma OR General Education Development (GED) required.

License, Certification, Registration

• Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer Certificate required at hire from American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

• Basic Life Support required at hire

Additional Requirements

• Experience in a hospital setting.
• Customer service and problem solving skills.
• Knowledge of radiation safety, safety precautions and infection control practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum one (1) year of ultrasound experience.