Sonographer- PRN

Cleveland Area Hospital Holdings•Cleveland, OK

11d

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 at a technical level without constant supervision, applies safe ultrasound techniques, evaluates images for diagnostic quality, and exercises professional judgment with minimal supervision. The Sonographer provides care essential to completing required procedures and must recognize patient conditions requiring immediate action and initiate life-support measures when needed. The position performs routine and STAT ultrasound examinations for inpatients and outpatients, operates ultrasound and related equipment, positions and screens patients, obtains clinical history, evaluates and documents images, and maintains accurate patient records and charges. It serves patients across all age groups and in areas including general ultrasound, abdomen, OB/GYN, carotid, vascular, arterial, and small parts. The Sonographer also maintains a clean and orderly work area, reports equipment malfunctions and safety concerns, participates in quality assurance and in-service education, and cooperates with hospital and department personnel. In the Director’s absence, the Sonographer assumes supervisory responsibilities in Ultrasound. The role may include transporting patients and other duties assigned by the Diagnostic Imaging Director.

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.
Must have practical, proven experience and abilities in General Ultrasound technology, including abdomen, OB/GYN, carotid, vascular, arterial, and small-parts examinations.
Must be able to perform ultrasound examinations safely and at high technical quality for infants, pediatric patients, teenagers, adults, and geriatric patients.
Must comply with HIPAA regulations and Compliance Policies when accessing confidential patient records.

Responsibilities

Follow organizational policies and directives, including certification and licensure requirements, HIPAA, confidentiality standards, and patients’ rights.
Perform routine and STAT ultrasound examinations for inpatients and outpatients in a timely and satisfactory manner.
Operate ultrasound imaging equipment safely and within manufacturer guidelines, using M-Mode, B-Mode, Doppler, and real-time techniques.
Select appropriate transducer frequency and diameter for each examination 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 orders and department guidelines, and routinely screen patients to verify that the correct patient and examination correspond.
Recognize the significance of visualized structures, distinguish artifacts from anatomic pathology, recognize equipment limitations, and identify diagnostic-quality scans.
Evaluate images for technical quality, correct patient and physician identification, annotations, and other required information.
Apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology to examinations and communicate interpretative aspects of ultrasound examinations to the Radiologist.
Use aseptic techniques when required and initiate life-support measures when needed.
Obtain patient history and clinical data for correlation with the examination and ongoing review of service appropriateness when the clinical history is not immediately available.
Complete appropriate patient and examination logbook entries, requisitions and consults, fax reports when applicable, schedule inpatient and outpatient examinations according to department guidelines, and accurately record and charge for services.
Maintain other ultrasound patient records as required or deemed necessary by the Diagnostic Imaging Director.
Maintain cleanliness and order in the ultrasound work area, lounge, and assigned work area, and request and secure necessary supplies and linens.
Report ultrasound equipment malfunctions and other problems that may present safety hazards to the patient or operator to the Diagnostic Imaging Director.
Participate in Ultrasound and Radiology quality assurance programs and activities as directed.
When called upon, familiarize technical and ancillary personnel with ultrasound examination policies and procedures.
Cooperate with department personnel, staff Radiologists, physicians, and hospital staff; maintain professional appearance and conduct and a team-oriented attitude.
Follow departmental procedural guidelines and protocols and maintain services in accordance with applicable hospital, federal, state, and local standards.
Report problems relating to staff morale, scheduling, work methods, procedures, safety, and discrepancies in proper patient care in Ultrasound.
Assume supervisory responsibilities in Ultrasound in the absence of the Director.
Arrive at the assigned work area with sufficient time for the scheduled duty.
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.
Perform other related duties as required or deemed necessary by the Diagnostic Imaging Director, including other duties as assigned.
Maintain and demonstrate ongoing competency with ultrasound equipment and related systems, including the main ultrasound unit, Manager/PICOM/DICOM, and black-and-white and color printers.