Sonographer Extern

About the role

Looking to build on the skills you've gained during your clinical rotations? This is the perfect opportunity to further develop your ultrasound expertise while collaborating with experienced professionals in a supportive healthcare environment as a Sonographer Extern on our team.

Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center is a 938-bed, award-winning hospital recognized as a Best Hospital in the Milwaukee Area by U.S. News & World Report. We have a Level II Trauma Emergency Department, Level I Stroke Center, and are ACE Accredited for Cardiovascular Excellence. We offer opportunities for professional growth and advanced clinical experience, and are a clinical teaching site for the St. Luke’s School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

Why You'll Love This Opportunity

• Strengthen and expand the skills learned during your clinical rotations.
• Work alongside experienced sonographers and healthcare professionals.
• Gain valuable hands-on experience in a fast-paced clinical setting.
• Make a meaningful impact on patient care while continuing your professional development.
• Collaborative and supportive team environment committed to clinical excellence.
• Many of our externs convert into a full-time Sonographer role after they have graduated from their programs.

Major Responsibilities

• Competently operates ultrasound equipment to perform general and/or vascular procedures/studies.
• Accurately differentiates between normal and pathologic findings.
• Reviews patient's medical record to obtain necessary clinical information including patient history, lab results, and physician orders, obtains necessary clinical information from patients, and compares requisitions to physicians' orders to ensure exam accuracy.
• Positions patient and selects proper transducer and technical factors for accurate ultrasound procedures.
• Adjusts factors to attain the appropriate images.
• Ensures safety, mental and physical comfort of patient.
• Uses cognitive sonographic skills to identify, record, and adapt procedures as appropriate to anatomical, pathological, diagnostic information and images.
• Accurately identifies and labels images identifying patient name, medical record unit (MRU) number, and location or position of scan on all images.
• Maintains records in accordance with various regulatory agencies and enters patient and study information into the radiology information system, and documents billing codes of procedures performed to ensure accurate patient charges.
• Identifies equipment performance issues, communicates to appropriate staff, and evaluates new products and equipment for possible future use.
• Analyzes sonograms, synthesizes sonographic information and medical history, and communicates findings to the appropriate physician.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in an accredited or approved program in Sonography.
• Completion of a minimum of twelve (12) months training in an accredited program in Sonography.
• Clinical competency in abdominal, pelvic and routine vascular exams or those sonographic exams routinely performed by the hiring department.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA).

Skills & Abilities

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients and caregivers using excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize, work independently and manage simultaneous assignments.
• Ability to be flexible in schedule and adaptable to constant change.
• Knowledge of aseptic techniques.
• Knowledge of and adherence to department, facility, and organization policies and protocols.

Physical Requirements And 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, and carry up to 40 lbs. a reasonable distance. Must be able to push/pull with 30 lbs. of force and 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; therefore, personal protective equipment must be worn as necessary.