Diagnostic Imaging Specialist

Job Summary:

The Diagnostic Imaging Specialist will be responsible for coordinating patient flow to obtain requested imaging studies in a fast-paced environment. This is achieved through order verification, quality assurance of the imaging equipment, proper patient identification, and obtaining appropriate imaging following approved policies and protocols.

Key Responsibilities:

• Greet customers, patients, and co-workers with a friendly smile and use AIDET when appropriate.
• Listen carefully and avoid interruptions in interactions with both patients and co-workers.
• Act as a role model for co-workers within the department or EMMC.
• Adhere to badge, dress code, tobacco, and other personal appearance policies.
• Maintain and exhibit a professional, positive attitude towards co-workers, work, and EMMC.
• Demonstrate a commitment to co-workers, job duties, and EMMC.
• Appropriately focus on customer needs and expectations as part of the care team.
• Makes timely and appropriate decisions and acts through empowerment to handle situations to resolution.
• Channel suggestions and criticisms and questions in a constructive manner.
• Remain flexible and willingly accept changes in assignments, scheduled working hours, imaging locations, etc.
• Maintain a calm and knowledgeable demeanor, keep composure under stressful situations.
• Support and embrace change in job and EMMC.
• Proactively seek out solutions to problems for self, co-workers, patients, and visitors.
• Continually develop skills and/or job knowledge.
• Takes pride in the appearance and growth of EMMC and acts in a way to promote the same.
• Keep current on hospital and departmental information by reading e-mail communications and other departmental briefings.
• Attend 75% of staff meetings and participate in discussions.
• Read and initial minutes of staff meetings that were unattended.
• Stay current with changes to the electronic medical record in order to access patient orders and history when needed.
• Reviews and works within the scope of practice for position and obtains necessary CMEs to maintain licensure and/or registry/certification or both.
• Keeps abreast of new equipment, technology, techniques, etc. via continuing education to expand knowledge and enhance job performance.
• May be asked to present to others on specific topics.
• Completes mandatory hospital wide education, i.e. Healthstream, Promise Point, and Imaging Skills Fail.
• Adheres to EMMC Code of Conduct and follows all applicable compliance policies/regulations.
• Works safely and follows all safety policies, reports incidents or hazards immediately.
• Practices appropriate hand hygiene policies.
• Seeks ways to improve quality of services provided.
• Ensures that a licensed practitioner has ordered the exam via electronic, written order or verbal confirmation.
• Ensures that the clinical indication is pertinent to the exam requested and seeks clarification of unclear orders.
• Matches written order with exam requisition, modifying information to ensure accuracy.
• Maintains equipment in good operating order.
• Cleans and disinfects area after each use per manufacturer's instructions and infection control guidelines.
• Must participate in HLD of transducers using automated or manual techniques in accordance with manufacturer guidelines and will maintain competency annually where applicable.
• Performs diagnostic ultrasound procedures requiring understanding of cross-sectional anatomy and vascular hemodynamics so that independent modification of technical parameters will produce optimum results.
• Selects proper technical factors, adapting for atypical patients.
• Pre and post processing of images to include proper anatomical marks and secure data transmission to communication system.
• Applies and contributes to keeping technique guidelines and/or exam protocols up to date.
• Acknowledge and support the culture of safety by maintaining knowledge of policies and references as well as maintaining safe environment.
• Able to access images and reports in PACS and structured reporting systems.
• Ensures quality and continuity of patient care by proper use of the PACS system with accurate data input.
• Provides excellent customer service, both for internal and/or external customers.
• Responds to communications in a timely manner.
• Consistent and reliable attendance, including communication and attempts to find coverage when legitimate issues prevent or inhibit attendance.
• Minimizes patient delays and is flexible when calling for inpatients to ensure the exam room is ready upon patient's arrival.
• Notifies appropriate personnel to release/return the patient upon completion of the test, transports patients to nursing units as necessary.
• Provides a clean and orderly work area.
• Arranges for equipment maintenance when needed, ensures supplies and forms are available in work area, and restocks supplies as needed and at the end of your shift.
• Proactively anticipates and alleviates situations which could result in a patient/customer complaint.
• Practices service recovery when needed.
• Reports and files all patient incidents, complaints, and HIPAA compliance reports immediately within the appropriate online system.
• Demonstrates reliability, understanding of timely response for call coverage.
• Ensures proper communication prior to, during, and post testing for safe hand off of patient care between care givers.
• Seeks out ways to reduce operating costs or increase efficiency within role/department.
• Acts in a cost-conscious manner with regard to use of supplies.
• Uses supplies and equipment conscientiously reducing waste and damage.
• Checks expiration dates of all supplies regularly and prior to each use.
• Makes effective use of time at work.
• Promptly performs the exam complete function to enable timely report availability and billing.
• Demonstrates knowledge of daily charges and is able to reconcile billing errors.
• Ensures correct financial encounter is used in the RIS when performing the order entry in Cerner.
• Complies with supervisor's instructions regarding staffing level adjustments as needed due to volume changes.
• Down staffs when appropriate after checking with departmental leadership.
• Must have current ARDMS (AB)(OB/GYN) credentials or must be eligible to take ARDMS Abdomen and Obstetrics/Gynecology Registry at time of hire and must pass within 6 months of hire.
• Must have clinical experience of adequate length to become proficient in the art of Medical Sonography.
• Must be able to hear and verbally communicate with patients, family members, physicians, healthcare professionals, department staff, students, etc.
• Must maintain current certification through continuing education.
• Must maintain continuing education in accordance with the department accreditation and professional licensure/certification agencies.
• Must maintain Basic Life Support Certification.
• Behaves with Integrity and Builds Trust.
• Cultivates Respect.
• Fosters Accountability.
• Practices Compassion.
• Education: High School Diploma/General Educational Development (GED).
• Preferred: Associates Degree in Sonography or completion of Accredited Sonography Program.
• Working Conditions: Work with computers, typing, reading or writing. Lifting, moving and loading 20 to 30 pounds. Prolonged periods of sitting. Prolonged periods of walking. Potential exposure to hazardous materials. Potential exposure to diseases or infections. Extend body and limbs to reach items. Prolonged periods of standing.