Sonographer - PT, Weekends

Prisma Health•Richland, SC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the manager and medical director, the staff sonographer provides diagnostic patient care services using diagnostic medical sonography. The role performs ultrasound procedures, evaluates sonographic findings, communicates with physicians and other healthcare staff, supports patient comfort and safety, maintains equipment and work areas, and helps ensure accurate documentation, charges, and image availability. The sonographer also supports students and newly hired staff, performs quality checks, and troubleshoots complex studies and equipment issues. The position is a non-management role reporting to a supervisor, manager, director, or executive.

Requirements

Completion of a radiology program or sonography program.
Credentialed Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) through ARDMS, with at least one ARDMS credential in Abdomen, OBGYN, or Pediatric.
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.
EMR experience.
Excellent customer-service and interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves

Accredited radiology or sonography program preferred.
Sonography clinical experience preferred.
ARRT in Radiology preferred.
PACS experience preferred.
Breast credential through ARDMS obtained prior to 2011 may be accepted if it is 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 using independent judgment to distinguish normal from pathological findings; analyze sonograms alongside medical history and communicate findings to the appropriate physician.
Ensure imaging quality meets quality-control standards and protocol requirements; perform quality checks and recommend corrections when issues are identified.
Explain procedures, introduce self and the department, greet patients professionally, guide them to the appropriate areas, communicate delays, and help maintain patient and family comfort.
Arrange interdepartmental transportation and transport patients when necessary, including to and from radiology observation or the emergency department.
Prepare rooms and obtain supplies; maintain sanitary, organized, and stocked work areas; dispose of supplies and biohazardous materials according to hospital policy; disinfect endovaginal transducers properly.
Maintain proficiency with departmental equipment, control patient flow, and follow downtime protocols.
Enter and investigate procedure and supply charges, resolve charge issues, and assist with obtaining timely readings when dictations are missing.
Resolve scheduling conflicts, promote effective communication, maintain ethical relationships, and provide handoff communication to the relieving shift.
Follow instructions from radiologists, radiology physician assistants, and fellow sonographers; operate PACS appropriately and verify cases are complete and available for reading, including necessary comments and measurements.
Verify that appropriate consents are signed and scanned to medical records; comply with HIPAA and Prisma Health communications policies.
Maintain paper and cartridges, contact the help desk, fax reports when requested, keep passwords current, and report equipment problems and record confirmation numbers when applicable.
Recognize and respond appropriately to emergencies; monitor for conditions that may compromise patient care, report unsafe conditions, and challenge unauthorized persons in the department.
Mentor newly hired sonographers, 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, PACS, and ultrasound equipment; assist other sonographers with complex studies requiring a higher skill level.
Perform other duties as assigned.