Sonographer

Patient Care

• Verifies proper clinician order for procedure.
• Obtains complete clinical history, gathers examination data and assesses for contraindicating conditions.
• Ensures that all studies have proper patient identification and right and left markers are utilized appropriately.
• Reviews ultrasound images for clinically acceptable results and releases patients.
• Responds to emergency situations and maintains life support equipment.
• Affords assistance to other technologists in all modalities when needed.
• Observes patient condition and properly evaluates situations when physician intervention is necessary so that no patient condition deteriorates.
• Verifies correct identity of patient using 2 unique identifiers prior to performing a procedure per hospital policy and procedure.
• Maintains patients dignity throughout the exam/procedure.
• Demonstrates competence in the determination and application of appropriate procedures, equipment, supplies and techniques based on the age of patients.
• Organizes schedule, time and priorities so that required activities are accomplished within designated time frames.
• Follows physicians instructions when assisting with procedures and exams.
• Uses critical thinking skills.
• Dialogs with patient/family.
• Asks clarifying questions.
• Sets aside ambiguity on orders.
• Demonstrates and understands pre-and post-procedural care.
• Prepares the patient for the procedure.
• Demonstrates and understands sterile technique.

Education and Communication

• Patiently and clearly explains purpose and nature of exam to patient prior to starting of procedure, so as to minimize anxiety and facilitate cooperation using AIDET.
• Ensures that patient's questions, concerns or contraindications are satisfactorily addressed, notifying physician when this cannot be accomplished, prior to the initiation of the procedure.
• Participates in the orientation and training of departmental employees.
• Provides patients with preparatory instruction and explanation of procedures.
• Completes mandatory departmental and Hospital-wide education without prompting.

Quality Control

• Consistently produces acceptable images, as evidenced by provider feedback and quality audits.
• Ensures that equipment is fully operational prior to each use, by checking for proper calibration and operating deficiencies.
• Sends all studies to PACS immediately after completion, prints CDs as needed.
• Sends studies that have been reported after hours by teleradiography are printed and scanned into PACS, if applicable.
• Prints completed log sheet from teleradiography and submits to Radiologist, if applicable.
• Completes all studies in RIS before completing in PACS.
• Performs and maintains quality control logs for probe disinfection and follows infection control policies.

Operations

• Restocks linens and supplies, and maintains the department in clean and orderly condition.
• Transports patients, positions patients, and helps them on and off procedure table.
• Performs patient charging activities on the day the service is rendered.
• Applies supportive and immobilization devices and equipment, if needed.
• Willingly lends knowledge and assistance to others upon request as needed and routinely as time is available, without prompting, so that all working time is used for departmental advantage.
• Performs routine duties of clerical and support personnel in accordance with procedure when warranted to ensure continuity and quality of services.
• Keeps supervisor informed on all responsibilities on an ongoing basis, ensuring prompt notification in the event of problems or potential problems.
• Maintains an individual productivity rate equal to other co-workers.
• Ability to operate all work stations associated with the US department.
• Ability to push / retrieve images from the Ultrasound console to PACS.
• Maintain Joint Commission standards and any other regulatory agency standards.
• Takes call when necessary.

Equipment

• Demonstrates the ability to adjust technique so that patient receives the lowest possible dose of ionizing radiation and that image quality is maintained.
• Reports problems regarding malfunctioning equipment to supervisor or service provider, so that problem can be corrected in a timely manner.
• Cleans, disinfects and maintains equipment in accordance with infection control policy and department cleaning schedule.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all Wellstar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.