Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Radiology Department
Day Shift; Full-Time Status w/ call rotation

A diagnostic medical Sonographer is a Diagnostic Ultrasound Professional that is qualified by professional credentialing, academic and clinical experience to provide diagnostic patient care services using ultrasound and related diagnostic procedures.

Under the general supervision and reporting to the Director of Radiology, the Diagnostic Medical Sonographer is responsible for the independent operation of sonographic equipment; making a record of the exam produced for interpretation by the radiologist or cardiologist; job performance will be in appropriate manner complying with all regulations and policies.

Essential Functions:

• Performs clinical assessment and diagnostic sonography examinations.
• 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.
• Analyses 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 the sonographer’s care.
• Assists with daily operations of the department
• Maintains ultrasound equipment and work area and maintains adequate supplies.
• Reports equipment failures to the appropriate person.
• Addresses problems of patient care as they arise and makes decisions to appropriately resolve the problems.
• Performs other work-related duties as assigned.

Demonstration of Skills and Abilities:

• 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 use independent judgment to acquire the optimum diagnostic sonographic information in each examination performed.
• Ability to evaluate, synthesize and communicate diagnostic information to interpreting physicians and health care providers.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public and health care team.
• Ability to follow established departmental procedures.
• Ability to work efficiently and cope with emergency situations.
• Ability to maintain prolonged arm positions necessary for scanning.
• Ability to organize daily work schedule and performs related clerical duties as required.

Education:

• Graduate of an accredited Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program or equivalent.

Experience:

• One year experience as a sonographer preferred.
• Experience as a registered ARRT, R.T. (R) desired.

Licensure, Registration, Certification:

• Active certification by American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or American Registry for RadiologicTechnologists Sonography certification.
• Current compliance with Continuing Medical Education (CME) requirements

Mental/Physical Requirements: (may be met with or without reasonable accommodations): Close mental and visual attention required for sustained periods of time. Frequently works under stressful conditions due to demands of customers and the critical condition of some patients. Must be able to transport self throughout department. Standing, walking, sitting, lifting, turning carrying, pushing, pulling, stooping, crouching, twisting, and reaching are required. Must be able to lift 20 lbs. from floor and from overhead, 40 lbs. from waist height and be able to handle, move or transfer articles of 100 lbs. regularly and over 100 lbs. periodically; in concert with other employees/person(s) and/or lifting device; exercise good body mechanics in execution of essential duties, including appropriate back and neck posture.

Working Conditions: Potential exposure to infectious diseases, disagreeable odors from patients, anesthetics, disinfectants, and/or chemicals. May be exposed to controlled radiation exposure.

Age-Specific Competencies: Persons generally grow and develop in stages that are related to their age. Age specific competence means that the employee is aware of physical, psychosocial and/or learning needs of patients of different ages. Employees consider these needs when planning and providing care for the patient or when interacting with the patient or family.
Human development can be divided into eight stages. In each stage the individual has a primary task to accomplish or master. Each task is important throughout the life span but is most critical at a particular stage.

• Infant (0-1 year): The infant must learn to trust that his/her needs will be met.
• Toddler (1-3 years): The toddler must learn to develop a sense of himself as an independent person and gain self-confidence and self-control.
• Pre-school child (3-6 years): The pre-school child must develop a sense if initiating (being able to explore the world and start projects).
• School age child (6-12 years): The school age child must develop a sense to his/her own self-worth through accomplishments and interaction with others.
• Adolescent (13-20 years): the adolescent must develop his/her own identity.
• Young adult (21-43 years): The young adult must develop close relationships.
• Middle adult (44-65 years): The middle adult must develop a sense of community and assume responsibility for others.
• Older adult (65 years and older): The older adult must come to understand the meaning of his/her life in terms of what has been accomplished.

Texas County Memorial Hospital is a tobacco-free smoke-free facility.