Ultrasonographer

Description

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Provides health care services, applying sonic energy to assist in diagnosis or treatment. Performs ultrasonic imaging and related procedures in the following areas: OB/GYN, abdomen, neurosonology, and/or ophthalmology. Demonstrates anatomy for interpretation and/or intervention by, or at the request of a licensed practitioner. Exercises professional judgement in performance of services and maintains a demeanor complementary to medical ethics. Applies appropriate patient care and recognizes patient conditions essential for successful completion of the procedure.

Casual, unbenefited position working variable hours from 7:00 am - 3:30pm, 8:00 am - 4:30pm, No call during the week or weekend.  Weekends are a daily, one-time check-in – if no procedures scheduled, free the rest of the day. Must have 1-2 years of general ultrasound experience.

JOB FUNCTIONS

• Performs diagnostic ultrasound procedures according to the ARDMS Scope of Practice for the diagnostic sonographer.
• Corroborates patient’s clinical history with procedure, assuring information is documented and available for use by a licensed practitioner.
• Prepares patient for procedures; providing instructions to obtain desired results, gain cooperation, and minimize anxiety.
• Selects and operates ultrasound equipment, and associated devices to achieve desired results.
• Positions patient and equipment to best demonstrate anatomic area of interest, respecting patient ability and comfort.
• Determines ultrasonic frequencies and appropriate transducers for the anatomic area of interest.
• Evaluates images for technical quality, assuring proper identification is recorded.
• Verifies informed consent for, and assists a licensed practitioner with interventional procedures; needle localizations, aspirations, biopsies, and amniocentesis.
• Practices aseptic techniques as necessary.
• Assumes responsibility for provision of physical and psychological needs of patients during procedures.
• In agreement with state statue(s) and/or where institutional policy permits, prepares, identifies, and/or administers contrast media and/or medications as prescribed by a licensed practitioner.
• Initiates basic life support action when necessary.
• Provides patient education.
• Assists in maintaining records, respecting confidentiality and established policy.
• Assumes responsibility for assigned area and reports equipment malfunction.
• Provides practical instruction for students and/or other health care professionals.
• Participates in the department’s quality assessment and improvement plan. May be responsible for specific quality control duties in the assigned area.
• May be responsible for the control of inventory care and control of specific ultrasound items. May purchase supplies for area of responsibility.
• Maintains knowledge of and observes Standard precautions.
• Understands and applies patient relations skills.
• Pursues appropriate continuing education.

If applied as a supplemental job description, the corresponding pay grade may not apply and may be dependent on certification.

COMPENDIUM OF LEARNING

The art and science of sonography requires that the individual achieve specific knowledge and skills for a defined scope of practice.

Learning experiences, clinical practicum and curriculum requirements shall be structured for the health care professional to successfully demonstrate the level of competency necessary for comprehensive practice in the following areas.

• Computer Literacy and Applications: An understanding of generic terminology, keyboard operation, menu selection strategies, and logistics of program flow.
• Human Structure and Function: General anatomy, anatomical relationships, organ and system functions in order to perform accurate procedures for the defined discipline; and accurately identify the area of interest on resulting images.
• Instrumentation: An understanding of the operation of devices, transducer selection; A-mode, B-mode, T-M mode, Real Time and Doppler; hard copy image recorders, and other processing techniques.
• Medical Ethics: Legal considerations which impact upon the scope of practice, respecting an established code of ethics and risk management.
• Medical Terminology: An understanding of disease descriptions, abbreviations, symbols, terms or phrases necessary to successfully communicate with other health care professionals.
• Patient Care: Attention and concern for the physical and psychological needs of the patient. The individuals should recognize a life threatening condition and implement basic life sustaining actions.
• Positioning: Accurate placement of the body, respecting patient’s comfort, ability and safety to achieve prescribed results and best demonstrate the anatomy of interest. Utilize techniques to physically manipulate and apply appropriate transducers and equipment to produce a desired image.
• Physical Science: A knowledge of propagation properties, transducer parameters, beam profile, Doppler effect, interaction properties with human tissue, and possible biologic effect.
• Quality Control: Preventive maintenance and knowledge of equipment capabilities, calibration of and care for equipment respecting operating standards, sensitometry characteristics, and monitoring of image processing systems for accuracy and consistency.
• Scanning Procedures: Ability to select appropriate equipment and scanning techniques to optimally visualize areas of interest.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION: (ULTRASONOGRAPHER)

1. PREPARATION AND TRAINING Certification by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) or by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in radiology and licensure from the state of North Dakota is required. Cross trained technologist will obtain certification in four years while meeting the requirements of the NDMIRT conditional license. Position requires completion of BLS CPR. Position is required to attend Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training in the appropriate timeframe according to department orientation checklist.
2. WORK EXPERIENCE As required for course completion.
3. ATTENDANCE Punctual and regular attendance is an essential responsibility of each employee at JRMC. Employee are expected to report to work as scheduled, on time and prepared to start working. Employees are also expected to remain at work for their entire work schedule.
4. ANALYTICAL ABILITY Must be able to judge quality of radio¬graphs and perform duties within established procedures.
5. INDEPENDENT JUDGEMENT Exercises a high level of independent judgment without direct supervision particularly in trauma or code situations.
6. CONTACTS WITH OTHERS Frequent contact with patients, families, physician, and other medical personnel requires a high level of interpersonal skills. Must exercise social sensitivity, discretion, and tact in all forms of communication.
7. SUPERVISING THE WORK OF OTHERS Works independently and is responsible for own work.
8. RESPONSIBILITY FOR WELFARE OF OTHERS Must be aware of potential dangers created by errors in judgment. Must safeguard patient rights and respect cultural, psychosocial, and spiritual values. Must protect privacy and confidentiality.
9. MENTAL/VISUAL EFFORT Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner. Must demonstrate physical and emotional ability to meet agreed upon work schedule and performance standards required by the position. Duties require concentrated attention on demand, manual skill requirements; visual accuracy for film review, and working in situations that may at times be stressful.
10. WORKING CONDITIONS Works with state-of-the-art equipment in clean, well-lighted rooms. Makes contact with patients under wide variety of circumstances. Participation and compliance with JRMC Safety Management Program is required. Position is subject to frequent interruptions. Work rotation includes weekends, holidays, evenings, and call-back. OSHA job classification: This position is defined as Category I in which the employee has exposure to blood borne pathogens. Position requires exposure to patients with infectious diseases and odors. Must practice aseptic techniques and observe standard precautions.
11. PHYSICAL AND SENSORY EFFORT Frequent standing or walking. Lifts, positions, pushes and/or transfers patients and/or equipment with weight up to 50 pounds. Frequent reaching, stooping, bending, and kneeling. Requires some degree of finger dexterity.
12. PROMOTION No formal line of promotion.
13. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS - These are physical requirements of the position that may be performed as part of daily duties. Inability to meet one or more of these physical requirements will not automatically disqualify a candidate or employee from the position. Upon request for a reasonable accommodation, JRMC may be able to adjust or excuse one or more of these requirements, depending on the requirement, the essential functions to which it relates, and the proposed accommodation

EMPLOYEE REQUIREMENTS

• Standing - Frequently
• Walking - Frequently
• Sitting - Rarely
• Hands and Finger Dexterity - Continuously
• Reaching with Hands and Arms - Continuously
• Climbing - Rarely
• Stooping/Kneeling/Crouching/Crawling - Continuously
• Hearing/Listening - Continuously
• Tasting or Smelling - Rarely
• Working Inside - Frequently
• Working Outside - Frequently
• Working in Extreme Heat - Frequently
• Working in Extreme Cold - Frequently
• Working with Hazardous Materials - Rarely
• Noise - Occasionally
• Working in Dirt/Dust - Frequently

LIFTING / CARRYING / PUSHING / PULLING:

• Up to 10 pounds - Occasionally
• Up to 25 pounds - Rarely
• Up to 50 pounds - Rarely
• Up to 75 pounds - Rarely
• Up to 100 pounds - Rarely
• Over 100 pounds - Rarely