Sonographer - PRN, Variable Shifts

Inspire health. Serve with compassion. Be the difference.

Job Summary

Under the direction of the manager and the medical director, the staff sonographer qualified by professional credentialing, academic and clinical experience provides diagnostic patient care services using diagnostic medical sonography. All team members are expected to be knowledgeable and compliant with Prisma Health's values: Inspire health. Serve with compassion. Be the difference. .

Essential Functions

• All team members are expected to be knowledgeable and compliant with Prisma Health's values:  Inspire health.  Serve with compassion.  Be the difference. 

• Identifies patients by using two patient demographic identifiers. Reviews physician orders for the procedure to be performed.  Checks for appropriate clinical information and expected date. Checks orders for procedural contraindications. Performs all Ultrasound procedures using independent judgment during the sonographic exam to accurately differentiate between normal and pathological findings. Analyses sonograms, synthesizing sonographic information and medical history, and communicates findings to the appropriate physician. Imaging quality is acceptable by quality control standard to include all protocol requirement. Stays abreast of organizational, affiliate and departmental changes/updates by checking email on each shift. 

• Explains procedure to patient and introduces self and identifies department. Greets patients professionally. Guides patients to appropriate areas. Ensures patients are in correct area for their procedure. Informs patients and their family members of all delays (including estimated wait time). Maintains patient and their family's comfort as best as possible (warm blankets, extra pillows, etc.) Arranges for interdepartmental transportation service, using correct area ID's. Transporting patients if necessary; especially patients to and from the radiology observation area and/or the emergency department.

• Obtains appropriate supplies and prepares room for patient.  Maintains a sanitary and organized environment. Stock work area with linens/supplies as needed, reporting voids. Disposes of used supplies, soiled linen, trash and bio-hazardous materials according to hospital policy. Maintain proper disinfectant of the endovaginally transducers. Remaining knowledgeable about equipment that is required for each exam and must be proficient with all equipment in the department.  Patient flow is controlled for most efficient use of equipment. 

• Complies with departmental downtime protocols. Charges procedure and supplies when exam is completed.  Adds charges when appropriate. Assists in maintaining an empty list of outstanding charges, investigates and / or reports, and explains reason for charges listed as outstanding. Help troubleshoot improper charges and assist in getting them added in a timely manner. Assist in getting ultrasound cases read when a dictation is not found.

• Resolves scheduling conflicts with other healthcare departments. Seeks to promote intra, inter, and external communications.

• Maintains ethical standards of relationships and communications. Assures the relieving shift has received hand off communication about the patients prior to staff leaving the work area. Communicates information and follows through on instructions received from the radiologist, radiology physician assistant and / or fellow sonographer(s).

• Operates the PAC's system appropriately and verify studies before sending to be read. Verify case is available and complete with necessary comments, measurements. Checking hourly and / or at the end of the shift for exams that need to be read are seen by radiologist. Assures that all appropriate consents are signed (scanned to medical records).

• Familiarizes self with, and compliantly incorporates, all HIPPA mandates of the Department of Radiology and of the Prisma Health System. Follows Prisma Health guidelines in regard to e-mail, voice mail, and Internet communications. Maintains paper and cartridges and calls help desk. Faxes reports when requested. Reports equipment problems to appropriate personnel and, when applicable, records confirmation numbers in appropriate logbook. Keeps passwords current.

• Recognizes and responds appropriately to emergency situations. Monitors conditions in the department that may hinder or compromise patient care. Notifies appropriate persons in regard to unsafe conditions (electrical, fire, chemical, equipment). Be alert to and aware of unauthorized persons in the ultrasound department. Such persons are to be challenged as to their identity and purpose for being in the department. This applies to all unknown persons irrespective of uniform dress or official identification badges.

• Mentors newly hired sonographers in the departmental policies and procedures. Instructs sonography students in methodology of departmental procedures and protocols. Participates in supervision of students / volunteers assigned to the sonography department. Evaluates / documents student progress as per protocol of academic institution. Communicates with clinical instructors and/or department heads as necessary. Facilitates medical student observations. Performs quality checks on sonograms. Recognizes issues, makes recommendations for corrections. Demonstrates excellent skills in independent judgement and critical thinking. Demonstrations knowledge and skill to troubleshoot complex studies. Assists other sonographers with complex studies that require a higher skill level. Able to troubleshoot problems including but not limited to PACS and ultrasound equipment. ​

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory/Management Responsibilities

• This is a non-management job that will report to a supervisor, manager, director or executive.

Minimum Requirements

• Education - Completion of radiology program or sonography program. Accredited program preferred.

• Experience - No previous experience required. Sonography clinical experience preferred.

In Lieu Of

• Team members in this job as of 11/08/2020 are grandfathered from the minimum requirements listed above pending state and regulatory requirements.

Required Certifications, Registrations, Licenses

• Credentialed Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). Must obtain one of more of the following with ARDMS at a minimum (Abdomen, OBGYN, and Pediatric). Breast credential through ARDMS prior to 2011 will be accepted if that is the only credential at managers discretion.

• BLS

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Proficient in the use of telephone equipment

• Oral and written communication skills

• Computer, printer and fax machine skills

• Basic computer skills

• Knowledge of office equipment (fax/copier)

• Data entry

• Mathematical skills

• Patient equipment - vitals, suction, defib

• EMR experience

• Excellent customer services and interpersonal skills

• ARRT in Radiology - Preferred

• PACs experience - Preferred

Work Shift

Variable (United States of America)

Location

5 Medical Park Rd Richland

Facility

1510 Richland Hospital

Department

15107122 Ultrasound

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