Position Summary: Under the supervision of the Ultrasound Supervisor and the clinical direction of the radiologist and/or cardiologist, independently performs ultrasound examinations using specialized equipment; performs some invasive patient procedures; reviews studies for overall quality; uses professional judgment and critical thinking to prepare technical impressions on studies submitted to radiologist/cardiologist for interpretation; and performs record keeping and computerized image archiving.  

Responsibilities:

Collects relevant information regarding patient identification, procedure, appropriateness for indicated signs and symptoms, pregnancy status, patient preparation, contraindications, safety screenings, and patient assessment. Analyzes information to safely and accurately provide care according to established policies, protocols and guidelines for patient safety. Provides patient education by explaining procedures and giving instructions at a level the patient can understand. Addresses patient’s questions and concerns. Verifies patient informed consent (procedure, contrast and radiopharmaceutical) when indicated. Refers questions about outcomes, diagnosis, treatment or prognosis to patient’s physician. Provides appropriate information to individuals involved in the patient’s care. Performs exam accurately by following the policies and procedures. Evaluates the patient study in a timely, accurate and comprehensive manner to determine if the intended outcome was achieved. Documents all required components of patient care. Accurately performs quality control procedures to maintain regulatory standards and accrediting requirements. Adheres to equipment safety standards and identifies and appropriately reports variances and concerns.

Qualifications: 

Required:

Graduated from accredited Radiological Technologist Program Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) with a specialty in abdomen or OB/GYN and a registered vascular technologist (RVT) and registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer (RDCS) through ARDMS preferred; or registered ARRT (R) (S) and registered vascular technologist (RVT) and registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer (RDCS) through ARDMS. BLS certification required or must complete BLS certification with in the first two weeks of employment. Additional certification may be required for certain patient care settings or populations. Specific information and the timeframe in which such certification must be attained will be provided by the department director/manager/supervisor at time of hire/transfer into department.

Preferred:

Graduate of an ultrasound program preferred or a graduate of an ultrasound program or graduate of an accredited Radiological Technologist Program with on-the-job ultrasound training or certified in ultrasound obtained through on-the-job training. 

Infection Control: Initial and Ongoing training in dealing with infection control. Trainings could include but are not limited to, blood borne pathogens, bodily fluids and bio hazardous materials as it applies to your daily work environment.

Patient Interaction: Frequent

HIPAA: This position will have access to the following Protected Health Information in order to carry out the duties related to their position at Hays Medical Center based on the following criteria:
Primary – required (routine) to do the job;
Secondary – required for the job, but mostly be exception; and
None – no approved access

Description of Information
Primary:
Patient Demographic Information (information used to identify a person): Name, Date of Birth, Address, Race, Marital Status, Religion


Clinical Information (information that describes a patient’s health status): Diagnosis, Reports/Medical Notes, Test Results, Problem List, Procedures, History and Physical

None:
Financial Information/Insurance (information related to insurance, billing and payment): Billing Information, Payer Name, Payer ID, Account Balances, Plan Elements Covered, Payment Information, Payment Rates

Coding Information (clinical information that is in (alpha) numeric format): ICD-9 Codes, Rev Codes, CPT Codes