Sonographer

CHI Health Immanuel•Omaha, NE

20d•$32 - $48•Onsite

About The Position

The Sonographer uses advanced sonographic equipment to capture detailed images of blood, organs, tissues, bodily masses, and unborn fetuses to support diagnosis and prenatal care. The role involves direct patient interaction, explaining procedures and answering questions, preparing patients for scans, operating and adjusting equipment, positioning patients, monitoring their safety and comfort, evaluating images for possible pathologies, and presenting preliminary findings to physicians. The Sonographer assesses patients’ ability to participate in ordered procedures and explains the procedure, its duration, process, and expected follow-up. The role may include assisting physicians with interventional procedures such as needle localization, aspiration, and biopsies; using aseptic and sterile techniques and universal precautions; and providing patient education. The Sonographer selects appropriate equipment, technical factors, protocols, and supplies, follows applicable radiation and MR safety standards, obtains and documents patient history, assesses image quality and equipment performance, and ensures equipment and supplies are ready and safe for use. The position also includes reporting equipment, supply, patient, and safety concerns through the appropriate channels and participating in department, campus, and system quality-improvement activities. The Sonographer is expected to understand applicable accreditation, safety, regulatory, and quality requirements, including ACR accreditation, Radiation Safety, ALARA, MQSA, state regulations, CMS, and Joint Commission requirements.

Requirements

Currently enrolled in or a graduate of a Diagnostic Medical Sonography or Radiology Technology program upon hire; alternatively, a graduate of a post-secondary allied health profession program upon hire with on-the-job training by a registered sonographer.
Basic Life Support (CPR) certification upon hire.
Obtain one of the listed credentials within 12 months: Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer; Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer; Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer Adult Echo, Fetal Echo, or Pediatric Echo; Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in Abdomen, Breast, Fetal Echo, Neurosonology, OB/GYN, or Pediatric Sono.
Excellent patient service and communication skills.
Sharp eyesight and meticulous attention to detail.
Strong technical proficiency, sound judgment, and advanced decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

Assess patients and their ability to participate in ordered procedures.
Explain procedures to patients, including duration, process, and what to expect after completion; answer questions and provide patient education as appropriate.
Verify informed consent for and assist physicians with interventional procedures, including needle localization, aspiration, biopsies, and other invasive procedures.
Use aseptic and sterile techniques as necessary and observe universal precautions.
Select appropriate equipment, technical factors, procedure protocols, and supplies before performing procedures.
Follow radiation protection and safety standards, including Image Gently, Image Wisely, MR safety standards, and use of lead protection when exposure is possible.
Obtain patient history from the patient or record and document it in the patient record to support image interpretation and future encounters.
Assess image quality and equipment issues, and report assessments to a supervisor, manager, or director.
Check that equipment is working at the beginning of the day and before procedures; perform required performance and quality tests, including ACR quality requirements.
Check supplies for expiration dates and report shortages, variations, or equipment failures for follow-up.
Use the CHI incident reporting system to report patient injuries or concerns, equipment or supply failures or malfunctions, medication reactions or errors, and visitor or personal injury or exposure.
Participate in and understand department, campus, and system quality-improvement projects and applicable accreditation, safety, and regulatory processes.
Operate sonographic equipment and adjust settings and patient positioning to obtain clear, diagnostic images.
Monitor patient safety and comfort, select and examine images for pathologies, and present preliminary findings to physicians.