Sonographer-Certified, Full-Time, Nights

Prisma Health•Easley, SC

About The Position

Provides diagnostic patient care services using diagnostic medical sonography. Performs ultrasound procedures, uses independent judgment to distinguish normal from pathological findings, analyzes sonograms alongside medical history, and communicates findings to the appropriate physician. Ensures imaging quality meets quality-control standards and protocol requirements. The role includes preparing patients and rooms, explaining procedures, supporting patient comfort and flow, maintaining a sanitary and organized work area, and handling supplies and equipment. The sonographer operates and verifies studies in the PACS system, coordinates charges and outstanding reports, addresses scheduling conflicts, and communicates with physicians, colleagues, and other departments. Responsibilities also include responding to emergencies and safety concerns, maintaining required records and communications, mentoring newly hired sonographers, and instructing and supporting students and medical student observers. This is a non-management position reporting to a supervisor, manager, director, or executive. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Completion of a radiology program or sonography program; an accredited program is preferred.
Credentialed Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
Must hold at least one ARDMS credential in Abdomen, OBGYN, or Pediatric sonography.
BLS certification.
Proficiency using telephone equipment.
Oral and written communication skills.
Basic computer skills and data-entry skills.
Mathematical skills.
Knowledge of patient equipment, including vitals, suction, and defibrillator equipment.
EMR experience.
Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves

Sonography clinical experience.
Completion of an accredited radiology or sonography program.
ARRT in Radiology.
PACS experience.
A breast credential through ARDMS obtained before 2011 may be accepted as the only credential at the manager’s discretion.

Responsibilities

Identify patients using two demographic identifiers and review physician orders, clinical information, expected dates, and procedural contraindications.
Perform ultrasound procedures and use independent judgment to distinguish normal from pathological findings.
Analyze sonograms and medical history, and communicate findings to the appropriate physician.
Meet imaging quality-control standards and protocol requirements; perform quality checks and recommend corrections when issues are identified.
Explain procedures, introduce self and department, greet and guide patients, ensure patients are in the correct area, and inform patients and families of delays.
Maintain patient and family comfort and arrange interdepartmental transportation; transport patients when necessary.
Obtain supplies, prepare rooms, maintain a sanitary and organized environment, stock linens and supplies, and dispose of used and biohazardous materials according to policy.
Maintain appropriate disinfection of endovaginal transducers and remain proficient with required departmental equipment.
Manage patient flow and comply with departmental downtime protocols.
Enter and address procedure and supply charges, investigate outstanding charges, troubleshoot improper charges, and help ensure missing charges are added promptly.
Assist in getting ultrasound cases read when a dictation is missing and check that exams requiring a read are seen by a radiologist.
Resolve scheduling conflicts with other healthcare departments and promote effective communication within and outside the department.
Provide shift handoff communication and follow instructions from radiologists, radiology physician assistants, and fellow sonographers.
Operate the PACS system appropriately and verify studies are complete, including necessary comments and measurements, before sending them to be read.
Ensure appropriate consents are signed and scanned to medical records.
Follow HIPAA, Prisma Health, and departmental communication guidelines; maintain paper and cartridges, call the help desk, fax reports when requested, and keep passwords current.
Report equipment problems to appropriate personnel and record confirmation numbers when applicable.
Recognize and respond appropriately to emergencies, monitor conditions that could compromise patient care, report unsafe conditions, and challenge unknown persons in the ultrasound department about their identity and purpose.
Mentor newly hired sonographers on departmental policies and procedures.
Instruct sonography students in departmental methods and protocols; participate in student and volunteer supervision, document student progress, communicate with clinical instructors or department heads, and facilitate medical student observations.
Troubleshoot complex studies and problems involving PACS or ultrasound equipment, and assist other sonographers with complex studies requiring a higher skill level.
Check email on each shift to stay informed of organizational, affiliate, and departmental updates.
Perform other duties as assigned.