Sonographer, Vascular

Description

JOB PURPOSE: The Sonographer serves as a medical imaging professional providing clinically relevant information to assist the physician with the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Their role and responsibilities include providing diagnostic medical sonography services and its various clinical specialties. 

JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Prepare exam room and ultrasound equipment to conduct sonography examinations in accordance with infection control, sterilization, and patient safety protocols, policies, and procedures.
• Assume responsibility for the safety of the patient during the sonographic examination. 
• Review patient medical history and supporting clinical information. 
• Ensure that the sonography examination order is complete, contains relevant information, and meets the standard of “medical necessity.”
• Communicate with the patient in a manner appropriate to the patient’s ability to understand. 
• Use proper patient positioning tools, devices, equipment adjustment, and ergonomically correct scanning techniques to ensure patient comfort and safety, and to prevent compromised data acquisition and musculoskeletal injury to the sonographer. 
• Performs quality control procedures to ensure that the ultrasound equipment operates at optimal levels.
• Uses independent judgment during the exam to accurately differentiate between normal and pathologic findings. 
• Review examination images, synthesize examination results, and prepare the preliminary findings.
• Apply independent judgment during the sonography examination to ensure that appropriate anatomical, pathological, and clinical conditions are accurately captured in the examination images.

Requirements

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• High School diploma or equivalent.  
• Graduation from a formal Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education (CAAHEP) program is required.

Certifications/Licensure:

• Current CPR certification required
• Must provide documentation of passing the Sonography Principles & Instrumentation (SPI) examination upon hire
• Must obtain Certification through the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) including specialty examination must be obtained within 18 months of hire, unless otherwise approved by the company:
• Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS): Abdomen (AB), Breast (BR), Fetal Echocardiography (FE), Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN) or Pediatric Sonography (PS)
• Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS): Adult Echocardiography (AE), Fetal Echocardiography (FE) or Pediatric Echocardiography (PE)
• Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT): Vascular Technology (VT)
• Registered Musculoskeletal Sonographer (RMSKS): Musculoskeletal Sonographer (MSKS)

• All required ARDMS certification(s) must be maintained in good standing throughout employment as a condition of continued employment.

Experience:

• Two (2) years of Diagnostic Medical Sonography in the specialty area(s) to be performed is preferred. Recent experience within the last twelve [12] months is preferred.

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of health care field, medical terminology and medical office protocols & procedures.
• Knowledge of specific assisting tasks related to the particular specialty medical practice.
• Comply with applicable laws, guidelines and standards regarding safety/infection control issues.
• Follow HIPAA policies to maintain the privacy and security of patient information. 
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

Skills:

• Excellent customer service skills
• Tact and diplomacy with interpersonal interactions.
• Able to work hands-on with patients.
• Good verbal and written communication skills. 
• Basic computer skills and basic knowledge of MS Office, Word and Excel.

Abilities:

• Ability to learn and retain information regarding patient care procedures.
• Ability to plan, prioritize and complete designated tasks.
• Ability to demonstrate compassion and patience when dealing with patients and patient’s families.
• Ability to project a pleasant and professional image.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment including computers, fax machines, copiers, printers, telephones, etc.

Physical Requirements:

• Considerable time spent walking and standing for up to four to six hours per day.
• Must be able to use appropriate body mechanics when making necessary patient transfers and assisting patients.
• Must be able to lift up to 35 pounds. 
• Frequent interaction with a varied and diverse patient population.
• Employee may be exposed to chemical vapors such as cleaning and disinfecting solutions. There may also be skin contact with these substances. 
• Employee may be exposed to infectious agents including blood borne pathogens.

Equipment Operated:

• Standard medical exam/office equipment including computers, fax machines, copiers, printers, telephone systems and may include computerized health information management system for medical records, etc.

Work Environment:

• Combination of medical office and exam/procedure room settings. Position is in a well-lit, well-ventilated space.

Safety:

• All employees are responsible for complying with safe and healthful work practices as outlined in Inspire Health’s Employee Safety and Injury and Illness Prevention Program and policies and procedures specific to their department needs.