ECHO VAS US Technologist

Job Description:

DEFINITION:
Under the supervision of the Radiology Director , plans, coordinates and directs the activities of the Echo/Vascular Ultrasound Department. The Echo/Vascular Ultrasound Technologist assists the radiologist, cardiologist, and other physicians in achieving scans and films in order to achieve a diagnosis concerning patients receiving an ultrasound exam or sonogram. The technologist is able to provide and oversee patient care activities to include adult, pediatric and neonatal patients. The technologist is responsible for the proper utilization of all pertinent imaging information systems. The technologist will work with their fellow technologist to enhance cardiovascular ultrasound services and provide innovative methods and processes to achieve success.

EDUCATION:

REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS (IF APPLICABLE):
Meets requirements for registry by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Two years of experience preferred working in the performance of ultrasound and must be registry eligible.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Five years of experience preferred working in the performance of ultrasound

Two years of experience preferred working in the performance of ultrasound and must be registry eligible.

PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Participates and implements age specific care and interaction.
Employee has attended departmental orientation (training) and annual inservice education for age specific training and implements in work area what was learned in age specific training.
Keeps ultrasound personnel aware of hospital and clinic performance projects (PI) and interacts appropriately for improvement.
Works established schedule.
Clocks in at appropriate scheduled time.
Completes all assigned work, tasks, and duties before clocking out and leaving.
Provide and supervises basic patient care and comfort.
Anticipates patient's needs and establishes rapport with patient and family.
Explains procedure to patient and family gaining their trust.
Instructs patients of positioning and breathing techniques to optimize exam.
Identify a life-threatening situation and carry out emergency care as allowed by employee procedure.
Transports patients to and from ultrasound department as needed.
Confirm information accuracy and charge exam using correct CP#.
Obtain, review and correlate pertinent patient history, physical exam and supporting clinical data to facilitate optional diagnostic results.
Performs ultrasound exams utilizing proper established procedures at all times.
Perform verbal, written and physical examinations to obtain all information pertinent to ultrasound exam.
Recognize significant clinical information and historical facts from the patient and the medical records, which may affect the sonographic examination.
Perform diagnostic procedures by producing, assessing, evaluating and interpreting ultrasound images and related data that are used to render a medical diagnosis.
Acquire and evaluate data, while exercising discretion and judgment in the performance of the clerical examination.
Demonstrates excellent knowledge in all specialized areas of ultrasound.
Interprets ultrasound exam to achieve optimum quality, and to provide interpreting physicians with an oral or written summary of technical findings.
Performs clerical skills to document and record all statistical information and record keeping requirements.
Logs on and retrieves patient information in PACS/ CVPACS.
Adds important information in PACS /CVPACS to assist with the diagnosis of an exam.
Sends images from PACS/CVPACS to appropriate destination.
Copies exam information from PACS/CVPACS to CD/VHS/Film.
Maintains ultrasound log containing patient information and exam data on every scan performed by the Ultrasound department.
Performs quality assurances and infection control programs.
Insure safe and effective equipment operations including: 1) Inspecting for electrical hazards and 2) inspecting for mechanical hazards.
Evaluate and document equipment performance using acoustic test objects.
Document equipment performance, service, maintenance and configuration changes.
Contact field service engineer as needed for repairs or maintenance of ultrasound equipment.
Maintain infection control and use universal precautions including: 1) hand washing and cleaning disinfection of equipment; 2) use of sterile covers for transducer and cable when appropriate; and 3) use of gloves and other barrier technology as required.
Maintains a daily log for testing and changing of disinfectant for submersible equipment.
Changes disinfectant for submersible equipment according to protocol and daily log.
Schedules to be on call.
Takes rotation on call on a routine basis.
Carries a beeper and/or cell phone to be available 24 hours a day.
Responds in an efficient and timely manner.
Maintains ultrasound labs.
Stocks lab(s) with equipment, linen, and any other items required to perform ultrasound procedures.
Disposes of any linen in correct containers.
Employ professional judgment and discretion.
Adheres to HIPPA rules and regulations.
Protect patient's rights and privacy.
Confirms two forms of patient identification before performing an ultrasound examination to include: 1) Patient Name; 2) Patient Date of Birth.
Performs within the scope of practice for ultrasound.
Adhere to the professional code of conduct.
Maintain competency of profession.
Completes continuing education to reinforce and update knowledge base.
Defines work performance standards, work/call schedules, educates and supervises. Performs diagnostic procedures by producing, assessing, evaluating, and interpreting ultrasound images and related data that are used to render a medical diagnosis.
Assesses ultrasound personnel's performance and helps employees set and achieve goals and standards as needed.
Manages routine work schedules for ultrasound personnel. Assigns shifts, rotations and call schedules.
Acquire and evaluate data, while exercising discretion, assessment and judgment in performance of the clinical exam.
Demonstrate and educate for excellent knowledge in all specialized areas of cardiovascular ultrasound.
Interpret and monitor ultrasound exams to achieve optimal quality and provide interpreting physicians with an oral or written summary of technical findings.
Responsible for coordinating proper patient scheduling. Maintains consistent communication with the fellow lead technologist to regulate the daily patient schedule and assure patients are able to be seen in a timely manner.
Perform and monitor clerical skills, performed by the technologists, to document and record all statistical information and record keeping requirements.
Maintains and monitors ultrasound log containing patient information, exam data and PI monitors on every scan performed by the Ultrasound Department.
Confirm information accuracy and charge the examination and inventory items accurately, precisely and completely in the Radiology and Cardiology Information Systems. Able to operate and understand the PACS.CVPACS.
Compiles statistical data, graphs and reports for administrative personnel and service representatives on a monthly basis or as needed.
Educate other health care providers, personnel and the public in the appropriate application and results of ultrasound examinations.
Analyzes new developments, procedures and continuing education regarding ultrasound innovations and initiate revisions when needed.
Issues memoranda, letters and verbal communications to hospital and medical staff as needed.
Provides orientation, training and continuing education of personnel.
Maintain competency of profession.
Assures all departmental work and pending work has been appropriately completed or addressed daily.

SPECIFIC UNIT/AREA RESPONSIBILITIES:

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Sitting for long periods of time.
Must be able to work in stressful situations.
Exposure to diseases and foul odors.
Exposure to hazardous chemicals.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

HAND AND ARM USE:
1. Must be able to utilize hands to manipulate transducer during exam.
2. Must be able to use calculator, write and use computer keyboard.

LIFTING AND CARRYING:
1. Must be able to lift and move case supplies approximately 10-25 pounds.
2. Assist in transfer of patient from wheelchair.

PUSHING AND PULLING:
1. Must be able to pull and/or push equipment up to 600 pounds (on wheel casters) to different locations throughout department and hospital.

STANDING/WALKING/SITTING/CLIMBING:
1. Must be able to stand approximately 2 hours per day for performing procedures.
2. Must be able to walk throughout entire hospital to patient's rooms and back to Radiology Department to assist patients and perform procedures.
3. Must be able to sit for periods of time in excess of 3 hours during performance of exams nd required paperwork.
4. Must be able to climb four flights of stairs and utilize step stools.

SENSE OF TOUCH:
1. Must be able to handle patients gently.
2. Must be able to feel pulse points, temperature and texture of patient's skin.

HEARING:
1. Must be able to clearly hear alarms, conversations, ringing telephones, overhead paging system and audible signals from equipment to evaluate blood flow parameters.
VISION:
1. Must be able to use vision to read handwriting, requisitions, charts and orders.
2. Must be able to read and interpret exam results and obtain and interpret real-time information.

BODY MOVEMENTS:
1. Must be able to bend/stoop to position any equipment being utilized by the patient.
2. Must be able to squat to move patients.
3. Must be able to twist to move patients.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

MATHEMATICS:
Must be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers for calculating, interpreting and reporting exam results and charge entry.

MEMORY:
Must be able to remember sequence of testing protocol along with interpretative knowledge of normal and abnormal test results.

LANGUAGE ABILITY:

READING:
Must be able to read and interpret medical terms, protocol, reports, and speak to communicate with patients, their family, hospital personnel, physicians and others.

WRITING:
Must be able to write down results of tests.

SPEAKING:
Must be able to verbally communicate clearly and effectively with nurses, ward clerks and physicians.

REASONING:
Must be able to make decisions when to order supplies, when to call physician regarding abnormal exams, use knowledge to produce diagnostic information from patient complaints and/or history.

Position Urgency:
Normal

Shifts:
Fri, Sat, Sun -8A - 8 P

State License Details:
Not Needed

Minimum Years of Experience:
Less than 1 year

Minimum Guaranteed Hours:
36

Specialty Type:
Diagnostic Imaging

Sub Specialty:
Vascular Technologist

Bilingual:
No

EMR Used:
Allscripts

Holiday Coverage Required:
No