Sonologist Associate - Ultrasound, Per-Diem, Rotating Shifts

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare • Chicago, IL

11d • $48 - $70

About The Position

The Sonographer – Sonologist Associate performs diagnostic ultrasound procedures in accordance with industry standards and department policies. The role reflects Northwestern Medicine’s mission, vision, and values, follows its Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with applicable policies, procedures, guidelines, and regulatory and accreditation standards.

The position includes patient assessment and education, ultrasound image acquisition, care throughout procedures, communication of pertinent information to physicians, documentation, equipment oversight, and participation in quality improvement. The associate may also perform advanced sonography functions, including preparing preliminary findings and reports, documenting limitations or incidental findings, supporting quality assurance, mentoring and training staff, and contributing to the development and implementation of protocols and technologies, consistent with education, training, facility protocols, and physician supervision.

This is a per-diem position working 8 hours per week (0.2 FTE) on rotating shifts. The stated hourly compensation range is USD 48.01 to USD 69.61.

Requirements

• Completion of a college-based two-year training program with clinical education in an accredited healthcare setting.
• Graduation from an accredited ultrasound program.
• Technical competency in general abdominal and small-parts scanning, abdominal Doppler, and general gynecological scanning.
• ARDMS certification in Abdomen (AB).
• Current ARDMS certification relevant to the specialty area, such as OB/GYN, RMSKS, or VT.
• At least 3 years of experience as an ARDMS-certified sonographer.
• Current CPR/BLS certification through the American Heart Association.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and push or pull with force up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Problem-solving ability and excellent critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to obtain, understand, and preliminarily interpret sonographic examinations.
• Extensive clinical experience providing sonography services and demonstrated ability to mentor and support staff sonographers.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate diagnostic ultrasound requests and assess patients to determine appropriate procedure protocols and application methods.
• Use ultrasound equipment, accessories, techniques, and procedures to generate images according to accepted standards of practice.
• Educate patients verbally and/or in writing before, during, and after procedures to reduce anxiety and support comfort and tolerance.
• Observe and communicate to obtain pertinent information for physicians supporting diagnosis and treatment management.
• Instruct and clinically supervise students in approved ultrasound programs and residents.
• Care for patients throughout procedures according to department and hospital standards, age-specific sensitivities, and patient-first guidelines; participate in lifting and transporting patients to and from imaging devices.
• Document imaging procedures manually and/or electronically to support accurate charging and preliminary results before sending them to the interpreting physician.
• Pursue and maintain current technical and clinical knowledge.
• Promptly report equipment failures, irregular performance, and equipment in disrepair.
• Provide technical, image-quality, and accuracy oversight for sonography examinations.
• Participate in formal and informal process improvement and problem solving; identify potential improvements and recommend corrective actions.
• Perform advanced sonography services, including dictating and diagnosing delegated ultrasound exams, in accordance with education, training, and facility protocols and policies.
• Review patient medical history and supporting clinical information, examine images, and provide preliminary reports for interpreting physicians.
• Ensure examination orders are complete, contain relevant clinical information, and meet medical-necessity standards.
• Synthesize examination results and prepare preliminary findings.
• Identify and document examination limitations.
• Refer diagnostic, treatment, or prognosis questions to the appropriate physician or healthcare professional unless facility policies and procedures authorize otherwise.
• Document incidental findings that may affect patient safety or care and communicate them to the interpreting physician.
• Ensure staff compliance with clinical and operational protocols, policies, and procedures.
• Provide leadership and direction in developing and implementing protocols, policies, procedures, and new technologies.
• Assist with orientation and training of new staff sonographers.
• Function as a technical or clinical leader in sonography and work with the supervising physician to support quality patient care.
• Ensure examination results meet facility quality-assurance standards before findings are released for interpretation.
• Provide rescanning support to staff sonographers when appropriate.

Benefits

• Northwestern Medicine describes a wide range of benefits supporting employees’ physical, emotional, and financial well-being and protection against unexpected life events; eligibility varies by employment classification.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Loan forgiveness.
• 401(k) matching.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree