ULTRASONOGRAPHER

Summary:

The Staff 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 Staff Sonographer role and responsibilities include providing diagnostic medical sonography services and its various clinical specialties. The Staff 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 include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Prepare exam room and ultrasound equipment to conduct sonography examinations in accordance with infections disease, sterilization, and patient safety protocols, policies, and procedures.
• Assume responsibility for the safety of the patient during the sonographic examination.
• Review patient medical history and supporting clinical information.
• Ensure that the sonography examination order is complete, contains relevant information, and meets the standard of “medical necessity.”
• 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.
• 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.
• Conduct patient clinical assessment and perform the diagnostic medical sonography examination ordered by the supervising physician in accordance with professional and facility protocols.
• Apply independent, professional, ethical judgment, and critical thinking to safely perform diagnostic sonography procedures.
• Apply independent judgment during the sonography examination to ensure that appropriate anatomical, pathological, and clinical conditions are accurately captured in the examination images.
• Except as authorized by written facility policies and procedures, refer specific diagnostic, treatment or prognosis questions to the appropriate physician or healthcare professional.
• As necessary, acquire additional ultrasound imaging to facilitate optimum diagnostic results for the interpreting physician.
• Identify and document any limitations to the sonography examination.
• Review examination images, synthesize examination results, and prepare the preliminary findings.
• Except as authorized by written facility policies and procedures, refer specific diagnostic, treatment or prognosis questions to the appropriate physician or healthcare professional.
• Maintain patient privacy and confidentiality in accordance with privacy laws (e.g., HIPAA) and facility policies, and procedures.
• Adhere to accepted professional and ethical standards.
• Provide patient services consistent with the Scope of Practice and Clinical Standards for the Diagnostic Sonographer.

Other Responsibilities

• Provide preliminary report of sonography examinations for use by the interpreting physician.
• Assist with the daily operation of the sonography facility.

Equipment Use and Maintenance

Primary Responsibilities

• Perform quality control procedures to ensure that the ultrasound equipment operates at optimal levels.
• Exercise responsibility to ensure that the ultrasound equipment is functioning accurately.

Other Responsibilities

• Assume responsibility for the preventive maintenance program for ultrasound equipment.

Documentation and Reporting

Primary Responsibilities

• Document any incidental findings that might impact patient safety or patient care and provide that information to the interpreting physician.
• Operate the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS).

Other Responsibilities

• Exercise responsibility for the maintenance and accuracy of facility reports, database records and logs.

Quality Assessment/Quality Improvement

Primary Responsibilities

• 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.

Other Responsibilities

• Carry out Quality Assurance protocols and Quality Improvement measures within the facility.

Health Care Team Interaction

Primary Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with co-workers, administrators, and members of the health care team.
• Foster a collaborative atmosphere with other members of the healthcare team.

Other Responsibilities

• Assist with the education and training of sonography students and physician residents.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Technologist must assist and supervise radiologic technology students while in the department.

Behavioral Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Decision Making/Judgment - Demonstrates the ability to secure and evaluate facts in making decisions and taking action and makes decisions in a timely manner; Makes good decisions when faced with new situations or incomplete information; Is able to effectively prioritize tasks; Approaches problems, challenges and new situations in an organized manner; Demonstrates flexibility and creativity in finding workable solutions and avoids recurring problems.

Communication/Interpersonal Skills - Demonstrates the organization's cardinal value; to honor the dignity and worth of each individual; Relates to others in an honest, straightforward fashion and is professional verbally and non-verbally; Resolves conflict in a positive manner; Actively listens with a sincere attempt to understand and values different points of view; Respects the confidentiality of patient and employee information.

Teamwork - Contributes to a climate where employees want to do their best and work together as a team; Accepts responsibility for establishing and maintaining a healthy relationship with every member of the staff; Assists co-workers as needed; Displays a positive, cooperative team attitude and recognizes the achievement of others.

Change Management - Is open to change and makes suggestions for change; maintains a positive attitude regarding change.

Customer Service - Treats patients and co-workers with respect and professionalism; Assists others in the department and throughout the hospital; Takes initiative in working to solve customer complaints; Displays a "can do" attitude.

Stewardship - Demonstrates a commitment to cost effectiveness and sound business practices; Conserves resources whenever appropriate.

Initiative - Recognizes and follows through with duties that need to be performed; seeks out new assignments and assumes additional duties; Makes suggestions for improving procedures; Commits time and effort to hospital committees and community service; Participates in department in-service programs and takes responsibility for personal and professional growth.

Dependability/Reliability - Reports to work in a regular and timely manner and is willing to make schedule adjustments related to changes in workload activity; Accepts delegation responsibly and can be relied upon to perform duties and complete assignments independently and in a reasonable time frame; Observes appropriate work breaks and meal periods; Attends mandatory meetings and in-services; Demonstrates commitment and responsibility.

Qualifications:

• 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, higher education, research, staff training, etc.).
• Demonstrated proficiency with computer skills and software programs used for documentation activities and report generation.
• State sonographer licensure, where applicable.

Education and/or Experience: Technologist must be registered by ARRT and or ARDMS. Technologist must hold a current license from the Ohio Department of health.

Language Skills: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of managers, physicians, employees, patients, families and the general public.

Mathematical Skills: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills: Basic PC skills required.

Age Specific Competencies: Knowledge and application of growth and development principles; utilization of effective communication strategies; implementation of specific technical factors.

Pediatric; newborn-12 years of age

Adolescent; 12-18 years of age

Adult; 18-65 years of age

Older Adult; 65+ years of age