Advanced Practice Sonographer

University of Colorado•Aurora, CO

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Radiology Department at University of Colorado School of Medicine Department of Radiology and Children’s Hospital Colorado (CHCO) is seeking an Advanced Practice Sonographer (APS) to function as a physician extender in a 600+ bed hospital system. Working under the delegated authority of supervising physicians, the APS performs an advanced scope of diagnostic pediatric ultrasound examinations with a high level of clinical autonomy and expertise. This role also includes mentoring and supervising pediatric sonographers, contributing to clinical research efforts, and educating medical staff on the principles and applications of pediatric sonographic technology. The APS plays a critical role in enhancing diagnostic accuracy, supporting clinical decision-making, and promoting excellence in pediatric ultrasound imaging across the care team.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and six (6) years full-time clinical ultrasound experience including at least three (3) years performing pediatric imaging examinations
Registration with American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), including current and active member of ADRMS with specialty certifications in Abdominal, Vascular, and Pediatrics.
Extensive clinical experience in providing sonography services and demonstrated ability to mentor and support staff sonographers
Must have a current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification, course accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC) prior to hire and/or placement in job.
Demonstrated proficiency with computer skills and software programs used for image examination viewing and interpretation, documentation, and report generation
Attend all faculty-led ultrasound-specific lectures, journal clubs and staff meetings
Attend 50%25 of ultrasound quality improvement and clinical journal club meetings
Attend other conferences as necessary to stay current with latest ultrasound practices
Meet CME requirements to maintain ARDMS credentials
Attend one local/regional or national ultrasound-related meeting per year (e.g., SDMS; AIUM; SRU; RSNA; etc.)

Responsibilities

Review ultrasound images with sonographers upon completion of their clinical examination for appropriateness, image quality, and protocol completion
Review patient clinical history, including signs and symptoms, to ensure complete patient history and aid in appropriate billing of examination
Interfaces with clinical providers as needed to clarify appropriate imaging indications
Review prior relevant reports and imaging studies including prior ultrasounds, CT's, MRI's, PET’s, and Nuclear Medicine studies
Provide scanning assistance for technically challenging and/or complicated exams. Authorize patient release or rescan patient to resolve diagnostic questions
Provide real-time quality assurance feedback and coordinate department-level quality-improvement initiatives. Participates in departmental QA program to provide sonographers with feedback from radiologists.
Synthesize sonography examination results and prepare draft report in the radiologic dictation system
Assist with new sonographer onboarding and trainee education
Oversight of new service lines and communication of protocol changes to ultrasound staff
Independently perform advanced techniques such as contrast-enhanced ultrasound and musculoskeletal ultrasound.
Facilitate clinical and translational research activities
Perform additional advanced sonography services as delegated by the supervising physician, consistent with education, training, and facility protocols, policies, and procedures
Must be able to demonstrate patient-centered/patient-valued behaviors. Assume responsibility for the safety of the patient while in the ultrasound department
Must be proficient in general and pediatric-specific ultrasound and vascular exams. Apply independent, professional, and ethical judgment, and critical thinking to ensure that appropriate anatomical, pathological, and clinical conditions are accurately captured in the examination images
Ensure the sonography examination order is complete, contains relevant clinical information, and meets the standard for “medical necessity”. As necessary, acquire additional images to facilitate optimum diagnostic results for the interpreting physician
Must be virtually self-supervising. Must be able to perform, interpret and report ultrasound examinations
Adhere to applicable professional and ethical standards. Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures
Provide patient services consistent with the Scope of Practice and Clinical Standards for the Diagnostic Sonographer. Except as authorized by written facility policies and procedures, refer specific diagnostic, treatment or prognosis questions to the appropriate physician or healthcare professional
Exercise responsibility to ensure that the ultrasound equipment is functioning accurately. Show ability to troubleshoot quality control procedures to confirm ultrasound equipment operates at optimal levels to ensure patient safety and high image quality
Conduct sonography examinations in accordance with infectious disease, sterilization, and patient safety protocols, policies, and procedures
Provide education and training to sonographers in the utilization of new equipment and software features, and new scanning techniques
Directly oversee use/performance of advanced ultrasound techniques such as contrast-enhanced ultrasound, elastography and other quantitative imaging, and musculoskeletal ultrasound.
Show proficiency in post-processing of 3D data for volumetric and multiplanar assessment
Document any incidental findings that may impact patient safety or patient care and provide that information to the interpreting physician and/or ordering provider
Identify and document any limitations to the sonography examination
Exercise responsibility for the preparation, maintenance, and accuracy of reports, database records, and logs
Provide oversight of imaging quality and completeness within Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS)
Oversee quality assurance, monitoring sonographer's scanning capabilities, accuracy, protocol completeness, and technique before findings are released for interpretation
Work with the supervising physician to ensure quality patient care
Function as a technical or clinical leader/expert in sonography
Help develop and maintain templates to use in reporting examination findings.
Create draft reports for review and finalization by supervising radiologist
Account for the creation, oversight and implementation of scanning protocols and quality control activities that positively affect patient care and outcomes, workflow, and/or cost-effective imaging
Provide re-scanning support to staff sonographers, when appropriate
Assist hospital administration in their efforts in securing and maintaining site accreditation
Act as an effective liaison between sonographers, radiology faculty, Radiology/Imaging Services administration, Radiology department administration, and clinical research office
Demonstrate good verbal and interpersonal skills. Positive, proactive attitude with willingness to problem solve; ability to build trust and facilitate a collaborative working relationship within a busy clinical service and among multiple sonographers and other stakeholders
Assist with the education and training of sonography students and radiology physicians trainees