Sonographer - PRN, Days

Prisma Health•Columbia, 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 sonographer is qualified through professional credentialing, academic preparation, and clinical experience. The role may require coverage of various shifts, weekends, and holidays and is responsible for performing ultrasound procedures, evaluating sonographic information, and communicating findings to appropriate physicians. The sonographer supports safe, compassionate patient care by confirming patient identity and orders, explaining procedures, helping patients navigate the department, maintaining patient comfort, and preparing and maintaining a clean, organized work area. The position also supports efficient imaging operations through appropriate use of equipment and systems, accurate exam documentation and charges, coordination with other departments, shift handoffs, and compliance with departmental and organizational policies. The role includes quality checks, equipment and PACS troubleshooting, response to emergencies and unsafe conditions, and support for sonography students and newly hired staff. This is a non-management position that reports to a supervisor, manager, director, or executive. The posted work shift is day, at Richland Hospital, 5 Medical Park Rd, Richland.

Requirements

Completion of a radiology program or sonography program.
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 with telephone equipment.
Oral and written communication skills.
Basic computer skills and data-entry skills.
Mathematical skills.
Ability to use patient equipment, including vitals equipment, suction, and defibrillator.
EMR experience.
Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves

Accredited radiology or sonography program.
Sonography clinical experience.
ARRT in Radiology.
PACS experience.
Breast credential through ARDMS obtained prior to 2011 may be accepted at the manager's discretion if it is the only credential.

Responsibilities

Identify patients using two demographic identifiers and review procedure orders for clinical information, expected dates, and contraindications.
Perform ultrasound procedures using independent judgment to distinguish normal from pathological findings.
Analyze sonograms together with medical history and communicate findings to the appropriate physician.
Ensure imaging quality meets quality-control standards and protocol requirements; perform sonogram quality checks and recommend corrections when needed.
Explain procedures, introduce self and department, greet patients professionally, guide patients to the correct areas, communicate delays, and support patient and family comfort.
Arrange interdepartmental transportation and transport patients when necessary, particularly to and from the radiology observation area or emergency department.
Obtain appropriate supplies, prepare rooms, maintain sanitary and organized work areas, stock linens and supplies, and dispose of used materials according to hospital policy.
Maintain proper disinfection of endovaginal transducers and remain proficient with the equipment required for each exam.
Manage patient flow and comply with departmental downtime protocols.
Enter and resolve procedure and supply charges, investigate outstanding charges, troubleshoot improper charges, and assist with timely charge completion.
Help obtain reads for ultrasound cases when a dictation is not found and resolve scheduling conflicts with other healthcare departments.
Promote effective communication, maintain ethical relationships, provide shift handoff, and follow instructions from radiologists, radiology physician assistants, and fellow sonographers.
Operate the PACS system appropriately; verify studies are complete, available, and include necessary comments and measurements before sending them to be read; check for exams needing a radiologist read.
Ensure appropriate consents are signed and scanned to medical records.
Follow HIPAA requirements and Prisma Health guidelines for email, voicemail, and internet communications.
Maintain paper and cartridges, contact the help desk as needed, fax reports when requested, report equipment problems, and document confirmation numbers when applicable.
Keep passwords current and respond appropriately to emergency situations and unsafe conditions; report conditions that may compromise patient care and remain alert to unauthorized persons in the department.
Mentor newly hired sonographers, instruct sonography students on departmental procedures 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.