Mammography/Ultrasound Tech - Full Time

Advocate Health and Hospitals Corporation • Oak Lawn, IL

9d

About The Position

The Mammography/Ultrasound Tech performs screening and diagnostic mammograms and screening, diagnostic, and interventional ultrasound procedures on physician-referred patients in accordance with established clinical protocols, ACR standards, and MQSA quality guidelines. The technologist positions patients and adjusts technique to obtain high-quality images, applies radiation protection, documents images and clinical information, and supports physicians in obtaining optimal ultrasound studies.

The role provides patient-centered care by explaining procedures, answering questions, maintaining privacy and confidentiality, recognizing and helping reduce patient anxiety, and providing pre- and post-procedure education. Responsibilities also include preparing and processing patient records in PenRad and RadNet, reviewing prior imaging and reports, documenting relevant findings, verifying procedure charges, and ensuring specimens are correctly labeled.

The technologist performs equipment quality control and quality assurance, including warm-up, calibration, daily checks, and cleaning and disinfecting patient-contact surfaces. The role also supports students and fellow technologists during ultrasound orientation and keeps current with ultrasound developments, regulatory requirements, and emerging technologies. The position is full-time, benefits-eligible, 32 hours per week, with day/PM shifts and weekend work.

Requirements

• Graduate of an AMA-approved program in Radiologic Technology.
• One to two years of experience as a Radiologic Technologist or sonographer.
• Forty hours of specialized mammography training and continuing education.
• Registered Mammography/ARRT.
• Breast Sonography under ARRT eligible.
• CPR certification.
• IDNS license.
• Knowledge of breast anatomy.
• Technical knowledge to perform specialized ultrasound studies with minimal assistance from a Radiologist.
• Ability to make diagnostic judgments while scanning and present them to the Radiologist for interpretation.
• Demonstrated technical skills as a mammographer.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to handle anxious and fearful patients and recognize the needs and behaviors of patients across age groups, including age-related development, aging, and physical limitations.
• Ability to make independent professional decisions using good judgment and provide high-quality patient care with technical competence.
• Ability to function with minimal assistance, adapt to a rapidly changing environment and patient volume, and adjust to flexible hours with minimal notice.
• Ability to understand the social and psychological issues associated with mammography and maintain a calming, confident presence.
• Ability to keep current with regulatory requirements, including FDA, IEMA, ACR, and MQSA, and engage in continuous learning.
• Ability to view small CRT screens constantly during examinations and communicate with patients.
• Ability to work weekends and perform light, medium, or heavy lifting as described in the posting.
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance; for patient lifts over 35 pounds or when a patient cannot assist, use patient-handling equipment with at least one other associate when available.

Responsibilities

• Perform screening and diagnostic mammograms and screening, diagnostic, and interventional ultrasound procedures according to clinical protocols, ACR standards, and MQSA quality guidelines.
• Accurately document patient images electronically and position patients to obtain standard and alternative mammographic views.
• Adjust positioning and technique to provide thorough, high-quality examinations based on patient anatomy and condition.
• Assist physicians with ultrasound studies by recommending technical-factor and procedure selections.
• Apply radiation protection in accordance with accepted mammography standards.
• Instruct patients about mammography and ultrasound procedures, explain equipment and compression, answer questions, and maintain patient comfort, modesty, privacy, and confidentiality.
• Recognize anxious or fearful patients and adapt examination routines and communication to help reduce anxiety and complete the study.
• Provide pre-procedure, procedure, and post-procedure education, including reviewing biopsy instructions and providing written instructions.
• Explain how images are interpreted and how diagnostic reports are communicated to referring physicians; direct or offer to assist patients in finding resources for needs outside the service's scope.
• Properly identify and label specimens for the laboratory.
• Prepare and process patient clinical and demographic information in computerized systems and ensure historical and current information is accurate.
• Arrange for outside mammography images to be sent to the breast care center.
• Document physical findings, breast diagrams, procedure details, patient history, and relevant observations in PenRad; use RadNet and PenRad patient-query functions.
• Review prior mammographic reports and images to inform the current examination and provide the Radiologist with pertinent clinical information.
• Verify that the correct procedure charge is entered in RadNet and correct it when necessary.
• Perform mammography and ultrasound equipment quality control and quality assurance, including warm-up, calibration, and daily checks as required.
• Clean and disinfect equipment and detector surfaces that contact patients.
• Assist students and fellow technologists who are orienting in ultrasound.
• Maintain current knowledge of ultrasound skills, developments, regulatory requirements, and emerging technologies.
• Comply with mandatory Fire Safety, MRI Safety, and Universal Precautions in-services; maintain CPR certification and adhere to departmental dress code and professional decorum.

Benefits

• Paid time off programs.
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability benefits.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.
• Adoption assistance and paid parental leave.
• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs.
• Educational Assistance Program.
• Competitive compensation, premium pay where applicable, incentive pay for select positions, and opportunity for annual performance-based increases.
• Career development programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree