Diagnostic Ultrasonographer

Cherokee Nation•Tahlequah, OK

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Provides technical and specialized ultrasound services to Cherokee Nation patients at Hastings Hospital in Tahlequah. Performs provider-prescribed diagnostic procedures, supports efficient patient services, maintains a safe environment, and applies ALARA ultrasound safety principles. Works with radiologists, physicists, clinicians, nursing staff, and other care providers to ensure high-quality diagnostic procedures. Provides training, education, mentoring, and leadership to students, technologists, and other staff within the limits of documented competence and professional credentials. The role includes performing and documenting ultrasound examinations, applying approved protocols and scanning techniques, maintaining equipment and image quality, supporting patient care, and responding appropriately to urgent findings or patient distress. The ultrasonographer contributes to department quality improvement, patient flow, inventory, equipment reporting, education, and radiology projects while maintaining confidentiality and compliance with applicable policies, accreditation standards, and regulations.

Requirements

Completion of a Diagnostic Medical Sonography program, or ARRT or ARDMS certification/registration in an approved certification/registration.
No additional experience required.
Valid driver's license and driving history meeting Cherokee Nation underwriting requirements.
Sonography Technologist licensure/registration with ARDMS or ARRT.
Obtain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification within 90 days of hire and maintain it throughout employment.
Must not be under sanction by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General or the General Services Administration, or listed on the specified exclusion or sanction lists.
Must meet and maintain pre-employment and periodic background investigation and adjudication for childcare.
Oral and written communication skills.
Problem and situational analysis skills.
Ability to identify and seek needed information.
Detail-oriented and customer/client oriented.
Ability to stand regularly; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
Ability to walk frequently and occasionally sit, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
Ability to frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.
Close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Responsibilities

Perform ultrasound procedures as prescribed by Cherokee Nation providers and in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.
Apply ultrasound principles, approved scanning protocols, sterile or aseptic techniques where applicable, and ALARA safety guidelines.
Ensure accurate imaging, including appropriate anatomy and pathology demonstration, annotation, and correction of errors.
Maintain quality assurance for technical equipment and collaborate with appropriate parties to resolve image-quality issues.
Enter data accurately into computer systems and complete patient paperwork and documentation.
Identify patients using approved identifiers and ensure imaging takes place in a safe environment.
Attend to patients during procedures, address patient-care concerns, and assist with overall patient care activities.
Recognize examination findings requiring an immediate clinical response and notify the interpreting radiologist, including requesting a Stat Read when appropriate.
Discuss ultrasound findings with radiologists and adapt procedures based on diagnostic information received.
Recognize signs of patient distress and initiate and follow emergency procedures.
Maintain working knowledge of ultrasound equipment, protocols, procedures, and disease processes performed in the department.
Follow department policies, procedures, guidelines, protocols, accreditation standards, ethics, and applicable licensure requirements.
Maintain continuing education requirements and attend mandatory in-services, department meetings, equipment orientation, education events, and CPR training.
Document incidents, variances, unusual circumstances, and patient concerns, and notify the radiologist or supervisor as needed.
Participate in quality and performance improvement, identify workflow improvements, and help improve the patient experience.
Manage patient flow and delays using critical thinking and appropriate prioritization.
Ensure appropriate inventory and supplies are available for procedures.
Report equipment malfunctions and follow department downtime procedures during system failures.
Report to the assigned work area on time, maintain presence there, and support department productivity and scheduling efficiencies.
Follow examinations through the system to ensure they reach the archive or interpreting radiology site.
Provide monthly procedure totals to the supervisor or director as requested.
Assist providers with radiology projects, including scanning patients, retrieving reports, and logging data.
Promote customer service, ethical behavior, institutional core values, and team participation.
Coach and mentor others and provide ongoing leadership and training to students, technologists, and staff.
Contribute to educational activities for patients, family members, faculty, coworkers, and students.
Maintain records according to applicable retention requirements and protect the confidentiality and security of patient information.
Demonstrate flexibility to patient-care demands, including coming in early and/or staying late when needed.