Sonographer- PRN

Cleveland Area Hospital•Cleveland, OK

About The Position

Under the direction of the Diagnostic Imaging Director, Assistant Diagnostic Imaging Manager, and/or Radiologist, the Sonographer provides patient services using ultrasound imaging. The role performs ultrasound procedures with limited supervision, applies safe ultrasound techniques, evaluates images for diagnostic quality, exercises professional judgment, and provides care needed to complete procedures. The Sonographer must recognize patient conditions requiring immediate action and initiate life-support measures when needed. The position requires initiative and independent judgment with minimal supervision. The Sonographer performs routine and STAT examinations for inpatients and outpatients; safely operates ultrasound and related equipment; positions and screens patients; obtains clinical history; evaluates image quality and communicates relevant interpretive observations to the Radiologist. The role also supports scheduling, documentation, charging, quality assurance, equipment maintenance, cleanliness, patient transport, staff orientation, and compliance with organizational and applicable standards. In the Director’s absence, the Sonographer assumes supervisory responsibilities in Ultrasound. The position requires satisfactory completion of formal Radiology Technology education and an AMA-approved allied health ultrasound technology program. The Sonographer must be registry eligible and actively working toward licensure, maintain continuing education credits, and have practical experience in general ultrasound across patient age groups. The role may provide access to confidential patient records and requires compliance with HIPAA and organizational compliance policies.

Requirements

Satisfactory completion of a formal Radiology Technology education program or school.
Satisfactory completion of and graduation from an AMA-approved allied health care discipline of ultrasound technology.
Must be registry eligible and actively working toward obtaining licensure.
Must continually maintain continuing education credits in ultrasound technology in accordance with applicable accrediting bodies.
Practical, proven experience and abilities in general ultrasound technology, including abdomen, OB/GYN, carotid, vascular, arterial, and small-parts examinations.
Ability to perform examinations for infants, pediatric patients, teenagers, adults, and geriatric patients.
Must comply with HIPAA regulations and organizational compliance policies when accessing confidential patient records.

Responsibilities

Follow organizational policies, certification and licensure requirements, mission statement, HIPAA, confidentiality standards, and patients’ rights.
Stay current with organizational communications and directives.
Perform routine and STAT ultrasound examinations for inpatients and outpatients in a timely and satisfactory manner.
Operate ultrasound imaging equipment safely and according to manufacturer guidelines, including M-Mode, B-Mode, Doppler, and real-time techniques.
Select appropriate transducer frequency and diameter for examinations and maintain equipment quality control.
Operate accessory equipment and systems, including digital recorder/manager, DICOM, RIS, PICOM, black-and-white and color printers, video recorders, and image-monitor systems.
Position patients appropriately according to the prescribed examination and departmental guidelines.
Communicate relevant interpretive aspects of examinations to the Radiologist, including recognition of visualized structures, artifacts, anatomic pathology, equipment limitations, and diagnostic-quality scans.
Apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology to examinations.
Evaluate images for technical quality, correct identification, annotations, patient and physician names, and date.
Use aseptic techniques when required.
Perform or initiate life-support measures when required.
Obtain patient history and clinical data for correlation with the examination and appropriateness of services when history is not immediately available.
Maintain the required training and work toward licensure to perform safe, satisfactory, high-quality ultrasound examinations across patient age groups.
Enter patient and examination information in the logbook when appropriate; fax reports when applicable; and complete requisitions and consults appropriately.
Pre-screen patients and verify that the ordered examination corresponds to the correct patient and exam.
Schedule inpatient and outpatient examinations according to departmental guidelines.
Charge and record patient services accurately and promptly, verify charges against ordered examinations, and maintain other required patient records.
Maintain order and cleanliness in the ultrasound work area, lounge, and assigned work areas; request and secure necessary supplies and linens.
Report equipment malfunctions and other problems presenting safety hazards to the Diagnostic Imaging Director.
Participate in Ultrasound and Radiology quality-assurance programs and activities as directed.
Familiarize technical and ancillary personnel with ultrasound examination policies and procedures when called upon.
Cooperate with department personnel, radiologists, physicians, and hospital staff; maintain a professional appearance and team attitude.
Follow department procedural guidelines and applicable hospital, federal, state, and local standards.
Report concerns relating to staff morale, scheduling, work methods, procedures, safety, and patient-care discrepancies in Ultrasound.
Assume supervisory responsibilities in Ultrasound in the Director’s absence.
Arrive in sufficient time for duty at the assigned work area.
Participate in formal in-service education in Ultrasound and Diagnostic Imaging when required.
Assist with or personally transport patients to and from the Ultrasound area.
Maintain equipment skills competency for the ultrasound main equipment unit, Manager/PICOM/DICOM, and black-and-white and color printers.
Perform other related duties as required or deemed necessary by the Diagnostic Imaging Director, including other assigned duties.