Lead Sonographer

Responsibilities

• Act as a resource to employees and students, including training/orienting, providing day-to-day work direction, and giving input on performance.
• Assign, monitor, and review progress and accuracy of work; monitor productivity; maintain appropriate staffing levels; direct efforts; and provide guidance on complex issues.
• Assist with human resource responsibilities, including interviewing and selection of new employees, staff development, providing performance feedback, resolving employee concerns, and addressing employee morale.
• Interpret department policies and procedures, advise and update staff on procedural changes, identify performance improvement opportunities, and facilitate change.
• Monitor inventory levels, labor productivity, and assist with managing department resources.
• Serve as a technical resource, role model, and/or preceptor for students and staff.
• Facilitate clinical problem-solving and collaborate with other departments to provide education on managing patients after procedures and imaging department processes.
• Proficiently operate ultrasound equipment to perform two of the following: general, vascular, and/or cardiac procedures/studies.
• Review patient's medical record to obtain clinical information, including history, lab results, and physician orders; obtain necessary clinical information from patients; and compare requisitions to physicians' orders to ensure exam accuracy.
• Select proper transducer and technical factors for accurate ultrasound procedures; perform scans of various anatomical areas; identify cross-sectional human anatomy, distinguishing normal from abnormal.
• Post-process images as directed and accurately label images with patient name, medical record unit (MRU) number, and scan location/position.
• Maintain records in accordance with regulatory agencies; enter patient and study information into the radiology information system; document billing codes for accurate patient charges.
• Identify equipment performance issues; perform or ensure equipment quality assurance tests and calibration; report malfunctioning equipment; evaluate new products and equipment.
• Perform patient positioning and transporting duties, including lifting and pushing/pulling, using proper technique.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served, including principles of growth and development over the life span.

Requirements

• Medical Sonographer (RDMS) registration with Abdomen issued by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) (required within 0 months unless waived by department leader).
• Medical Sonographer (RDMS) registration with OB/GYN issued by ARDMS (required within 0 months unless waived by department leader).
• Vascular Technologist (RVT) registration issued by ARDMS (required within 0 months unless waived by department leader), or Vascular Sonography (VS) registration issued by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) (required within 0 months unless waived by department leader), or Vascular Specialist (RVS) registration issued by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) (required within 0 months unless waived by department leader).
• Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS-AE) registration with Adult Echo issued by ARDMS (required within 0 months unless waived by department leader), or Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) registration issued by CCI (required within 0 months unless waived by department leader).
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) (required within 6 months).

Education

Advanced training beyond high school that includes the completion of an accredited or approved program in Sonography.

Experience

Typically requires 5 years of experience in a sonographer role.

Skills & Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of anatomy, including vascular and/or cardiology.
• Proficiency in a minimum of two of the following: all abdomen procedures (including urology, pelvic/OB, carotid, superficial structures, portable imaging, and invasive procedures); all vascular procedures; and/or all cardiac procedures, or proficiency in all general procedures along with two of the following specializations: breast, neurosonology, and/or fetal echocardiography.
• Advanced knowledge of aseptic techniques.
• Advanced knowledge of accreditation policies and procedures to assist in departmental accreditation.
• Ability to act as a role model and hold staff accountable to service commitments.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including delegation, team building, managing multiple priorities, problem-solving, and decision-making.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and patient service skills to work effectively with physicians, patients, and other staff members.
• Ability to work independently.
• Intermediate computer skills.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, and twist throughout the workday.
• Must be able to:
  • Lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist.
  • Lift up to 20 lbs. over the head.
  • Carry up to 40 lbs. a reasonable distance.
• Must be able to:
  • Push/pull with 30 lbs. of force.
  • Perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present.
• Must have clear speech, vision, and hearing.
• May be exposed to mechanical, electrical, chemical, and radiation hazards as well as blood and body fluids; personal protective equipment must be worn as necessary.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.