Sonographer

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Provides diagnostic patient care services using ultrasound and related diagnostic procedures to perform Abdomen, OB and Vascular scans. Communicates the results to the diagnosing physician.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Greets and courteously escorts patient and other guests to examination room.
• Interprets patient histories and physician instructions.
• Prepares patients for procedures utilizing aseptic and sterile technique.
• Positions patients for sonographic examination.
• Performs clinical assessment and diagnostic sonography examinations.
• Responsible for routine scanning, image documentation and billing.
• Uses cognitive sonographic skills to identify, record and adapt procedures as appropriate to anatomical, pathological, diagnostic information and images.
• Uses independent judgment during the sonographic exam to accurately differentiate between normal and pathologic findings.
• Analyzes sonograms, synthesizes sonographic information and medical history, and communicates findings to the appropriate physician.
• Assumes responsibility for the safety, mental and physical comfort of patients while they are in your care.
• Responds to patient emergencies, as needed.
• Maintains ultrasound equipment and work area, and maintains adequate supplies.
• Documents patient information in a timely and accurate manner to ensure continuity of high quality health care.
• Assists with ensuring that patient encounter forms are completed thoroughly and accurately.
• Completes forms in accordance with office and IHA protocols.
• Serves as liaison between patient and physician, when necessary.
• Ensures timely and courteous follow-up regarding patient questions.
• Participates in team meetings and workflow improvement discussions.
• Maintains compliance with government and reimbursement requirements and with clinic standards of care.
• Provides support to clerical and clinical staff and providers, as needed. When supporting the clerical staff, tasks to support may include answering phones, tasking messages for the MA/Provider Group, completing medical records requests and working the fax server/mail. When supporting the clinical staff, tasks to support may include rooming patients, obtaining patient vitals, running simple tests (strep test, urine), cleaning exam rooms, ordering USN/X-ray Requisitions and MRI/CT Requisitions, along with scheduling the MRI/CT for UC patients.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Performs other duties as assigned and works within the scope of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers certification/registration/licensure.

ORGANIZATIONAL EXPECTATIONS:

• Creates a positive, professional, service-oriented work environment for staff, patients and family members by supporting the mission and values of Trinity Health Medical Group.
• Must be able to work effectively as a member of the Imaging healthcare team.
• Assumes responsibility for performance of job duties in the safest possible manner, to assure personal safety and that of coworkers, and to report all preventable hazards and unsafe practices immediately to management.
• Successfully completes all relevant organizational training and adheres to Trinity Health Medical Group standard of care as outlined in the Trinity Health Code of Conduct.
• Maintains knowledge of and complies with Trinity Health Medical Group standards, policies and procedures.
• Maintains general knowledge of Trinity Health Medical Group office services and in the use of all relevant office equipment, computer and manual systems.
• Maintains strict confidentiality in compliance with Trinity Health Medical Group and HIPAA guidelines.
• Serves as a role model by demonstrating exceptional ability and willingness to take on new and additional responsibilities. Embraces new ideas and respects cultural differences.
• Uses resources efficiently.
• If applicable, responsible for ongoing professional development – maintains appropriate licensure/certification and continuing education credentials, participates in available learning opportunities.

MEASURED BY:

Performance that meets or exceeds IHA CARES Values expectation as outlined in IHA Performance Review document, relative to position.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: Graduation from an accredited Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program.

CREDENTIALS/LICENSURE: Valid, unrestricted certification by American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) in the specialty(ties), as appropriate, i.e., Abdomen and/or OB/GYN (ARDMS) and Vascular (ARDMS) or (CCI). Valid CPR certification.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE: Must have one year experience, or comparable combination of experience and education, in performing the following exams: Carotids, lower extremity venous, pelvic/transvaginal, abdominals, appendix, thyroids, scrotums, First Trimester OB, upper extremity venous, hernias or any OB ultrasound. Experience on Toshiba Phillips equipment and GE ultrasounds is preferred.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS (ABILITIES & SKILLS):

• Knowledge of professional patient care and ultrasound practice and principles to give and evaluate patient care related to position responsibilities.
• Knowledge of the compliance aspects of clinical care and patient privacy and best practices in medical office operations.
• Proficient/knowledgeable in medical terminology.
• Proficiency in standard scanning protocols and imaging techniques.
• Ability to effectively operate sonographic equipment.
• Ability to evaluate sonograms in order to acquire appropriate diagnostic information.
• Ability to integrate diagnostic sonograms, laboratory results, patient history and medical records, and adapt sonographic examination, as necessary.
• Ability to evaluate, synthesize, and communicate diagnostic information to the diagnosing physician.
• Ability to work efficiently and cope with emergency situations.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations needed during the course of performing essential job duties.
• Proficient in operating a standard desktop and Windows-based computer system, including but not limited to, electronic medical records, email, e-learning, intranet, Microsoft Word and Excel, and computer navigation. Ability to use other software as required while performing the essential functions of the job.
• Excellent communication skills in both written and verbal forms, including proper phone etiquette. Ability to communicate effectively with the patient and the healthcare team, recognizing the special nature of sonographic examinations and patient’s needs.
• Demonstrates reliability, professionalism and patient-center care.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment; displays courteous and friendly demeanor.
• Ability to work effectively with various levels of organizational members and diverse populations including IHA staff, providers, patients, family members, hospital staff, vendors and non-IHA providers and staff.
• Ability to cross-train in other areas of practice in order to achieve smooth flow of all operations.
• Good organizational and time management skills to effectively juggle multiple priorities and time constraints.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement and problem-solving skills to acquire the optimum diagnostic sonographic information in each examination performed.
• Ability to handle patient and organizational information in a confidential manner.
• Successful completion of IHA competency-based program within introductory and training period.
• Ability to travel to other office/practice sites and meeting and training locations.

MINIMUM PHYSICAL EXPECTATIONS:

• Physical activity that often requires keyboarding, phone work and charting.
• Physical activity that often requires extensive time working on a computer.
• Physical activity that often requires handling and lifting patients, walking, standing, bending, stooping, reaching, climbing, kneeling and/or twisting.
• Physical activity that occasionally requires lifting equipment, and assisting patients weighing up to approximately 300 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, depth perception, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust and focus.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, photocopier, telephone, calculator and other office equipment.
• Must hear and speak well enough to conduct business over the telephone or face to face for long periods of time in English.

MINIMUM ENVIRONMENTAL EXPECTATIONS:

This job operates in a medical facility and requires regular walking to various locations around the hospital/clinic. Employees will be working where there is patient care equipment. Hazardous materials, including bloodborne pathogens and bodily fluids are also present. Exposure to sharps, patients' conditions and some unpleasant sights, smells and contagious diseases is possible. This position requires significant interaction with people (many of whom are scared, hurt and/or ill) which can be stressful and result in competing priorities.