Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Job Summary:

Mercyhealth Hospital and Trauma Center in Janesville, WI is seeking a skilled Diagnostic Medical Sonographer to join our team. As a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, you will be responsible for providing clinically relevant information to assist physicians with the diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare exam rooms and ultrasound equipment to conduct sonography examinations in accordance with infectious disease, sterilization, and patient safety protocols, policies, and procedures.
• Assume responsibility for the safety of patients during sonographic examinations.
• Review patient medical history and supporting clinical information.
• Evaluate any contraindications, insufficient patient preparation, and the patient's inability or unwillingness to tolerate the examination and associated procedures.
• Communicate with patients in a manner appropriate to their ability to understand.
• Use proper patient positioning tools, devices, equipment adjustment, and ergonomically correct scanning techniques to ensure patient comfort and safety, and to prevent compromised data acquisition and musculoskeletal injury to the sonographer.
• Conduct patient clinical assessment and perform the diagnostic medical sonography examination ordered by the supervising physician in accordance with professional and facility protocols.
• Apply independent, professional, ethical judgment, and critical thinking to safely perform diagnostic sonography procedures.
• Apply independent judgment during the sonography examination to ensure that appropriate anatomical, pathological, and clinical conditions are accurately captured in the examination images.
• Except as authorized by written facility policies and procedures, refer specific diagnostic, treatment or prognosis questions to the appropriate physician or healthcare professional.
• As necessary, acquire additional ultrasound imaging to facilitate optimum diagnostic results for the interpreting physician.
• Identify and document any limitations to the sonography examination.
• Review examination images, synthesize examination results, and prepare the preliminary findings.
• Except as authorized by written facility policies and procedures, refer specific diagnostic, treatment or prognosis questions to the appropriate physician or healthcare professional.
• Maintain patient privacy and confidentiality in accordance with privacy laws (e.g., HIPAA) and facility policies, and procedures.
• Adhere to accepted professional and ethical standards.
• Provide patient services consistent with the Scope of Practice and Clinical Standards for the Diagnostic Sonographer.
• Provide preliminary report of sonography examinations for use by the interpreting physician.
• Assist with the daily operation of the sonography facility.
• Perform quality control procedures to ensure that the ultrasound equipment operates at optimal levels.
• Exercise responsibility to ensure that the ultrasound equipment is functioning accurately.
• Assume responsibility for the preventive maintenance program for ultrasound equipment.
• Document any incidental findings that might impact patient safety or patient care and provide that information to the interpreting physician.
• Operate the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS).
• Exercise responsibility for the maintenance and accuracy of facility reports, database records and logs.
• Ensure that the sonography examination results meet the facility standards for Quality Assurance before findings are released for interpretation.
• Work with the appropriate staff to ensure quality patient care.
• Carry out Quality Assurance protocols and Quality Improvement measures within the facility.
• Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with co-workers, administrators, and members of the health care team.
• Foster a collaborative atmosphere with other members of the healthcare team.
• Assist with the education and training of sonography students and physician residents.

Culture of Excellence Behavior Expectations:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following behavior expectations:

• Quality - Follows policies and procedures; adapts to and manages changes in the environment; Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness giving attention to details; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Manages time and prioritizes effectively to achieve organizational goals.
• Service - Responds promptly to requests for service and assistance; Follows the Mercyhealth Critical Moments of service; Meets commitments; Abides by MH confidentiality and security agreement; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; and effectively communicates information to partners; Thinks system wide regarding processes and functions.
• Partnering - Shows commitment to the Mission of Mercyhealth and Culture of Excellence through all words and actions; Exhibits objectivity and openness to other's views; Demonstrates a high level of participation and engagement in day-to-day work; Gives and welcomes feedback; Generates suggestions for improving work: Embraces teamwork, supports and encourages positive change while giving value to individuals.
• Cost - Conserves organization resources; Understands fiscal responsibility; Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; contributes to profits and revenue.

Education and Experience:

Graduate of an accredited School of Diagnostic Medical Sonography preferred

Certification and Licensure:

ARDMS or ARRT or CCI sonography registered or registry eligible.

Registry eligible partners must become registered within 12 months of hire

All partners must be registered in a second clinical specialty within 2 years of hire; as approved by the partner's department leadership.

Approved CPR or BLS certification required within 90 days of hire

Skills and Abilities:

Language Skills - Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Mathematical Skills - Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability - Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills - To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Internet software; Inventory software and Order processing systems.

Other - Takes call as requested.

Special Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear.

The employee is frequently required to climb or balance. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.