Ultrasound Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

Job Summary:

This position is responsible performing radiographic, ultrasound, and other diagnostic imaging procedures to assist physicians and other licensed medical providers in the diagnosis of disease and injuries in Oyate Health Center (OHC) patients.

Essential Functions:

• Selects equipment for use in ultrasound setup according to specifications of examination.
• Explains process to patient, and instructs and assists patient in assuming physical position for examination, maintaining sensitivity in patient contact.
• Selects transducer and adjusts equipment controls according to organ to be examined, depth of field, and other specifications of test.
• Keys test data and patient information into computer of ultrasound equipment to maintain record of test results.
• Moves transducer, by hand, over specified area of body and observes sound wave display screen to monitor quality of ultrasonic pattern produced.
• Sends images to be stored in the PACS system.
• Sends images and reports to ordering physicians and requesting facilities.
• Assists radiologist or physician in reading or evaluating results.
• Responsible for proper maintenance and performance of ultrasound equipment. Maintains proper documentation on file.
• Maintains digital image and data management system required for processing of ultrasound exams.
• Established and maintains a variety of files and records relating to ultrasound activities and functions.
• Responsible for ordering and maintaining supplies.
• Maintain effective, collaborative interdepartmental and external relations.
• Must comply with federal laws and regulations as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
• Performs related duties.

Professional Behavior

• Effectively plan, organize workload and schedule time to meet the demands of the position.
• Work in a cooperative and professional manner with OHC and GPTCHB staff.
• Treat Great Plains tribes and collaborators with dignity and respect.
• Utilize effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Advance personal educational development by attending training sessions and seminars as appropriate.
• Exemplify excellent customer service with tribal stakeholders, health board colleagues, program partners, service recipients, visitors and guests.
• Foster a work environment of wellness, courtesy, friendliness, helpfulness and respect.
• Relate well and work collaboratively with coworkers and all levels of staff in a professional manner.
• Consistently demonstrate respect for and acceptance of differing capabilities, cultures, gender, age, sexual orientation and/or personalities.
• Maintain and ensure organizational privacy and confidentiality.
• Handle crisis and tolerate stress professionally.
• Be self-directed and take proactive initiative to assist others.
• Resolve issues with other departments and coworkers without direct supervision if needed.
• Exercise flexibility to alter plans/routines when situations require and continue to perform without projecting stress/frustration that would adversely affect the work environment.
• Promote an alcohol, tobacco and drug-free lifestyle.
• Embrace modes of appearance and attire that reflect a professional presence.
• Adhere to GPTLHB policies and procedures.

Knowledge Required

• Knowledge of the concepts, practices, procedures, techniques, and equipment applied to medical ultrasound.
• Knowledge in the application of positioning, compression, filters, and selection of proper anode.
• Knowledge of physical principles of sound generation and transmission characteristic of ultrasound equipment in order to record the interaction of ultrasound to biological tissues.
• Knowledge of a variety of complex instruments used, their specific characteristics and applicability as to appropriate selection of signal process.
• Knowledge of human cross-sectional anatomy and pathology of all body planes to recognize medically significant findings during ultrasound examinations, and differentiate normal from abdominal structures, locate origin and extent of abnormality, assess integrity of surrounding structures and to accurately measure their size.
• Knowledge of human embryology as it applies to obstetrical examinations, performed at all stages of fetal development.
• Knowledge and skill to distinguish between fetal-cranial, abdominal and skeletal structures identified, as viewed in different planes.
• Knowledge of a variety of transducers utilized for various examinations or situations, ability to select appropriate equipment to obtain diagnostic scans.
• Knowledge of transducer characteristics of penetration, resolution, surface size, focal plane and focal zone correlated to the body area of clinical concern, body tissue characteristics and patient body habitus.
• Knowledge of computer operations necessary for the recording of examinations and for measurement determinations particularly germane to obstetrical scans.
• Knowledge and ability necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of patients served.
• Knowledge of customer service principles.
• Ability to manage multiple demands of the job.
• Ability to visualize the position and functioning of three-dimensional forms within the body from a two-dimensional presentation (sonogram or cathode ray screen).
• Ability to accurately interpret the examination request and understand the functioning and relationship of the various organs of the system.
• Skills in setting up, adjusting, operating, and maintaining diagnostic ultrasound and ancillary equipment.
• Skill in reading sonograms and identifying and explaining medically significant aspect therein.
• Skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of examinations.
• Skill in organizing work.
• Skill in oral communication.
• Skill in the provision of customer service.
• Skill in use of job related equipment and tools.
• Skill in use of personal computer and a variety of job related software applications.

Supervisory Controls

The supervisor assigns work in terms of very general instructions. The supervisor spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures and the nature and propriety of the final results. Work is reviewed through observation of interactions with OHC patients, and patient outcomes.

Guidelines

Guidelines include American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) and National Standards, standard operating procedures, and GPTLHB, OHC, and department policies and procedures. These guidelines require judgment, selection and interpretation in application.

Complexity/Scope of Work

The work includes varied duties requiring many different and unrelated processes and methods that are applied to a broad range of activities or substantial depth of analysis, typically for an administrative or professional field. Decisions regarding what needs to be done include major areas of uncertainty in approach, methodology, or interpretation and evaluation processes that result from such elements as continuing changes in program, technological developments, unknown phenomena, or conflicting requirements. Positions with this level of complexity include advanced clinical professional positions and senior management positions.

The work involves establishing criteria; formulating projects; assessing program effectiveness; or investigating or analyzing a variety of unusual conditions, problems, or questions. The work product or service affects a wide range of organizational activities, major financial activities, or the operation of other programs divisions of the organization.

The work involves performing patient care duties. The purpose of this position is to deliver the highest quality of care to patients. Successful performance results in quality care and improved patient outcomes. This level of scope and effect is typically representative of senior management, specialized clinical and technical professional positions within the organization.

Contacts

Contacts are typically with clinical providers, patients, families, other employees, vendors, and the general public.

Contacts are typically to give and exchange information and provide patient care.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

The work is typically performed standing or sitting. The work is typically performed in a clinic setting which requires normal safety precaution for infection control and environmental safety measures. The work environment is usually quiet.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and sit, talk, and hear. Requires repetitive movement of the wrists, hands and/or fingers. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or climb. The employee must regularly lift and /or move light objects, and occasional lift heavier objects. Specific vision abilities required by this job include color vision.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory and Management Responsibility

This is a non-supervisory position that may provide functional direction, guidance and instruction to other employees.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduated from an accredited program of Radiologic Technology and/or Ultrasound Technology.
• Bachelor’s degree and one (1) year of experience, or associate’s degree and three (3) years’ experience, or high school diploma or GED and five (5) years of progressively responsible experience.
• Minimum (1) year experience in the occupational field sufficient to understand the major duties of the position, and to be able to answer questions and resolve problems.
• Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS).
• Certification from the American Registry of Radiological Technologists (ARRT) and additional certification as a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) from the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM).
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required, or must be obtained within ninety (90) days of employment.
• Must successfully pass a criminal and background check and a pre-employment drug screen.

The GPTLHB is a tribal organization which follows tribal preference laws. It is our policy to give preference to qualified Indian/Tribal candidates over qualified non-native candidates in hiring decisions, if all other qualifications are equal.

Employment is contingent upon the outcome of all required criminal background checks.