Sonographer-Urgent Care

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:

1. Greets and courteously escorts patient and other guests to examination room.
2. Interprets patient histories and physician instructions.
3. Prepares patients for procedures utilizing aseptic and sterile technique.
4. Positions patients for sonographic examination.
5. Performs clinical assessment and diagnostic sonography examinations.
6. Uses cognitive sonographic skills to identify, record, and adapt procedures as appropriate to anatomical, pathological, diagnostic information and images.
7. Uses independent judgment during the sonographic exam to accurately differentiate between normal and pathologic findings.
8. Analyzes sonograms, synthesizes sonographic information and medical history, and communicates findings to the appropriate physician.
9. Assumes responsibility for the safety, mental and physical comfort of patients while they are in your care.
10. Responds to patient emergencies as needed.
11. Maintains ultrasound equipment and work area, and maintains adequate supplies.
12. Documents patient information in a timely and accurate manner to ensure continuity of high quality health care.
13. Assists with ensuring that patient encounter forms are completed thoroughly and accurately.
14. Completes forms in accordance with office and IHA protocols.
15. Serves as liaison between patient and physician when necessary.
16. Ensures timely and courteous follow-up regarding patient questions.
17. Maintains compliance with government and reimbursement requirements and with clinic standards of care.
18. 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.
19. Performs other duties as assigned and works within the scope of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers certification/registration/licensure.

ORGANIZATIONAL EXPECTATIONS:

1. Creates a positive, professional, service-oriented work environment for staff, patients and family members by supporting the mission and values of both IHA and Trinity Health.
2. Must be able to work effectively as a member of the patient care team.
3. Successfully completes IHA's "The Customer" training and adheres to IHA's standard of promptly providing a high level of service and respect to internal or external customers.
4. Maintains knowledge of and complies with IHA standards, policies and procedures.
5. Maintains complete knowledge of office services and in the use of all relevant office equipment, computer and manual systems.
6. Maintains strict patient and employee confidentiality in compliance with IHA and HIPAA guidelines.
7. 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.
8. Uses resources efficiently.
9. 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(ies) as appropriate, 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, 1st- OBs, upper extremity venous, and hernias. Experience on Toshiba and Phillips equipment is preferred.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS (ABILITIES & SKILLS):

1. Knowledge of professional patient care and ultrasound practice and principles to give and evaluate patient care related to position responsibilities.
2. Ability to effectively operate sonographic equipment.
3. Ability to evaluate sonograms in order to acquire appropriate diagnostic information.
4. Ability to integrate diagnostic sonograms, laboratory results, patient history and medical records, and adapt sonographic examination as necessary.
5. Ability to evaluate, synthesize, and communicate diagnostic information to the diagnosing physician.
6. Ability to work efficiently and cope with emergency situations.
7. Proficient/knowledgeable in medical terminology.
8. Ability to perform mathematical calculations needed during the course of performing essential job duties.
9. 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.
10. Excellent communication skills in both written and verbal forms, including proper phone etiquette. Ability to communicate effectively with the patient and the health care team, recognizing the special nature of sonographic examinations and patient's needs.
11. Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment; displays courteous and friendly demeanor.
12. Ability to work effectively with various levels of organizational members and diverse populations including IHA staff, providers, patients, family members, hospital staff, and non-IHA providers and staff, and vendors.
13. Ability to cross-train in other areas of practice in order to achieve smooth flow of all operations.
14. Good organizational and time management skills to effectively juggle multiple priorities and time constraints.
15. Ability to exercise sound judgement and problem-solving skills to acquire the optimum diagnostic sonographic information in each examination performed.
16. Ability to handle patient and organizational information in a confidential manner.
17. Knowledge of the compliance aspects of clinical care and patient privacy and best practices in medical office operations.
18. Successful completion of IHA competency-based program within introductory and training period.
19. Ability to travel to other office/practice sites and meeting and training locations.

MINIMUM PHYSICAL EXPECTATIONS:

1. Physical activity that often requires keyboarding, phone work and charting.
2. Physical activity that often requires extensive time working on a computer.
3. Physical activity that often requires handling and lifting patients walking, standing, bending, stooping, reaching, climbing, kneeling and/or twisting.
4. Physical activity that occasionally requires lifting equipment, and assisting patients weighing up to approximately 300 pounds.
5. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, depth perception, peripheral vision and the ability to adjust and focus.
6. Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, photocopier, telephone, calculator and other office equipment.
7. 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.