Sonographer Lead

Major Responsibilities

• Acts as a resource to employees and students, providing training/orienting, day‑to‑day work direction, and performance input.
• Assigns, monitors, and reviews progress and accuracy of work; monitors productivity; maintains appropriate staffing levels; directs efforts and provides guidance on complex issues.
• Assists with human‑resource responsibilities, including interviewing and selection of new employees, staff development, performance feedback, resolution of employee concerns, and morale building.
• Assists in interpreting department policies and procedures, advising and updating staff on procedural changes.
• Identifies performance‑improvement opportunities within the department and facilitates change.
• Monitors inventory levels and labor productivity and helps manage department resources.
• Serves as a technical resource, role model, and preceptor for students and staff; facilitates clinical problem solving and collaborates across the system to educate on post‑procedure patient management and other imaging department processes.
• Proficiently operates ultrasound equipment to perform two of the following: general, vascular, and/or cardiac procedures/studies.
• Reviews patients’ medical records to obtain necessary clinical information, obtains additional information from patients, and compares requisitions to physicians’ orders to ensure exam accuracy.
• Selects proper transducer and technical factors for accurate ultrasound procedures; performs scans of various anatomical areas; identifies cross‑sectional anatomy, distinguishing normal from abnormal, to establish an initial evaluation of sonograms.
• Post‑processes images as directed, accurately labeling each image with patient name, medical record unit (MRU) number, and location or position of the scan.
• Oversees maintenance of records in accordance with regulatory agencies, enters patient and study information into the radiology information system, and documents billing codes to ensure accurate patient charges.
• Identifies equipment performance issues, performs equipment quality‑assurance tests and calibration procedures, reports malfunctioning equipment, and evaluates new products and equipment.
• Performs various patient positioning and transporting duties, which require lifting and pushing/pulling, while utilizing proper technique.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skills appropriate to the age of patients served, including principles of growth and development, assessment of patient data, and provision of age‑specific care as described in departmental policies and procedures.

Licensure, Registration, and Certification Required

• Medical Sonographer (RDMS) registration with Abdomen – American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
• Medical Sonographer (RDMS) registration with OB/GYN – ARDMS.
• Vascular Technologist (RVT) registration – ARDMS.
• Vascular Sonography (VS) registration – American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
• Vascular Specialist (RVS) registration – Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).
• Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS‑AE) registration with Adult Echo – ARDMS.
• Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) registration – CCI.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification – American Heart Association (AHA) (to be obtained within 6 months).

Education Required

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

Experience Required

Typically requires 5 years of experience in a sonographer role.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

• 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; all cardiac procedures; OR proficiency in all general procedures plus 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 such as delegation, team building, managing multiple priorities, problem solving, and decision making.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and patient‑service skills for effective interaction with physicians, patients, and other staff members.
• Ability to work independently.
• Intermediate computer skills.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, squat, bend, and twist throughout the workday.
• Lift up to 50 lb. from floor to waist.
• Lift up to 20 lb. over the head.
• Carry up to 40 lb. a reasonable distance.
• Push/pull with 30 lb. of force.
• Perform a sliding transfer of 150 lb. 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.