Sonographer PRN - Full-time / Part-time

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Executes All Varieties Of General Diagnostic Ultrasound Exams Presently Offered By This Department.

a. Always performs OB/GYN ultrasound examinations in accordance with the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) standards.

b. Always performs Abdominal ultrasound examinations in accordance with department protocols, utilizing appropriate patient positioning as necessary. The General sonographer should also be proficient in the use of abdominal Doppler and Color Doppler when called for.

c. Always performs Small Parts sonography in a manner consistent with department protocol. Utilizes the correct frequency transducers and the correct techniques (off-sets, water baths, etc.) to obtain images. highest resolution and quality. These examinations include Breast, Thyroid, Testicular, Intra-Operative, Neonatal or other superficial structures that we may be called to evaluate.

d. Determines suitable areas for needle aspirations and/or tissue biopsies for pathologic diagnosis; assists physicians by ultrasonically guiding needle placement into areas of interest (this also includes Amniocenteses or other invasive prenatal diagnostic testing).

e. Always identifies self to patient and verifies patient identity along with the physicians order for the requested exam. The sonographer also should always review the charts of all in house patients to confirm that the correct exam has been ordered.

f. Determines a provisional diagnosis, performs exam calculations, and participates with the supervising Radiologist in the final exam diagnosis.

g. Always exercises discretion and judgment in the performance of all sonographic exams.

h. Prepares the examination rooms and equipment for specific procedures. This includes performing calibration tests, adjusting equipment, and cleaning the equipment and the exam rooms after each exam in a timely manner.

i. Demonstrates cooperation and good rapport with fellow staff sonographers recognizing that clear communication improves efficient patient

Serves As A Liaison Between Patients, Interpreting Physicians (Radiologist) And Referring Physicians.

a. Always informs the patient of the testing procedure, explaining the use of ultrasound as it relates to the patient, including the risk capabilities and limitations of the exam.

b. Communicates with the patient in such a manner that will obtain the patient's cooperation in producing a high quality exam (positioning, breathing, etc.)

c. Always ensures that emergent exam results are relayed promptly to the appropriate physician or medical floor. Also ensures that patients receive the correct instructions or directions upon completion of the exam (where to go, what to do, etc.).

Performs Office Duties As Necessary To Maintain The Completeness Of The Patient Record.

a. Always ensures that patient data is correctly entered into the department log book, enabling the department to maintain a complete patient database.

b. Determines that each patient is billed appropriately, and that sufficient records of all exams and charges are documented after the exam but no later than end of shift.

c. Occasionally assists with patient scheduling, ensuring that all patients are scheduled in accordance with department protocols.

Uses Universal Precautions Including Personal Protection Equipment For Anticipated Contact With Blood Or Other Potentially Infectious Materials.

a. Uses gloves, gowns and masks and other personal protective equipment when contact with infectious materials is anticipated.

b. Maintains sterile technique during all ultrasound guided invasive procedures, including the correct use of the biopsy guides and probe covers.

Demonstrates competency in adjusting the delivery of care and/or clinical techniques as appropriate to address the age specific needs of the patient.

a. Demonstrates the knowledge and skills to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served in his/her assigned area(s).

b. Demonstrates knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possesses the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interprets the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age specific needs and to provide the care needed.

c. Patient populations served in assigned area are within age specific categories listed:

1. Neonatal (0 - 28 days)

2. Infancy (28 days - 1 year)

3. Pediatric (1 year - 12 years)

6. Adolescence (12 years - 20 years)

7. Adult (18 years - 61 years)

8. Geriatric (62 years )

Service Delivery Standards:

Values Behaviors: It is essential that all employees are able to support the values of St Anthony Hospital and Catholic Health Initiatives. Each person is expected to interact effectively with physicians, patients, visitors, and staff, as well as demonstrate a commitment to service, hospital values, and professionalism through appropriate conduct and demeanor at all times.

REVERENCE:

Pass a Smile! (First Impressions)

* Introduce yourself.

* Initiate greetings with a smile, eye contact, open body language, and a handshake or touch.

* Use patient or co-worker's name in conversation. Be genuine.

* Listen attentively and confirm back to customer what you have heard.

* Always say "hello" with a smile to patients, visitors, and co-workers in hallways and elevators.

Celebrate Differences! (Diversity)

* Treat all patients, visitors, and co-workers with respect as unique, valued individuals.

* Provide the highest level of service to everyone, regardless of who they are.

* Create a supportive environment and encourage people to freely express themselves.

* Behave in a professional, collaborative, supportive manner, regardless of personal feelings at all times.

Look the Part! (Professional Image)

* Make sure employee badge is visible and appropriately placed.

* Stay well groomed.

* Keep clothing neat, clean, and in accordance with department and hospital policy.

* Ensure that personal conversation, demeanor, and all behaviors present and "on-stage" appearance.

Maintain an attitude of confidence and proficiency.

INTEGRITY

Make it Right! (Service Recovery)

* Anticipate and correct problems before they become complaints.

* Acknowledge mistakes when they occur, without placing blame.

* Apologize for the mistake, even if you are not at fault.

* Make amends for mistakes by taking corrective action as a tangible indication of our sincere regret.

Let's Talk! (Communication)

* Follow through on all requests and promises in a timely manner.

* Whenever you see a person who needs help, ask them "What can I do for you?"

* Respond in a timely manner to all requests -- conveying clear, concise, and accurate information.

* Answer all phones promptly. State name, department, and give appropriate greeting. Always use a friendly tone.

Lean on Me! (Teamwork)

* Balance personal agenda with team and organizational goals.

* Value all team members and their opinions by treating everyone equally and with respect.

* Seek to resolve conflicts in a respectful way. Do so directly with the individual(s) involved and promptly.

* Arrive on time to work.

* Fully share information that people need to do their job.

* Express ideas, opinions and reactions constructively.

COMPASSION

Welcome to our Home! (Safe/Healing/Calm Environment)

* Maintain a safe, neat, clutter-free work environment.

* Pick up linen and put it away.

* Keep voice down in and around patient areas.

* Recommend changes to the director on policies, procedures, and environment to enhance everyone's ability to provide optimum service to all patients, visitors, and employees.

Keep in Touch! (Provide information and explanations)

* Apologize for delays and inconveniences.

* Communicate anticipated timeline for procedures and keep family updated when possible.

* Use easily understood and appropriate language when giving information to patients, visitors and co-workers.

* Avoid technical and professional jargon and acronyms if possible.

Privacy Matters! (Privacy/Confidentiality)

* Be sensitive to individual privacy needs.

* Always speak kindly and positively about patients and co-workers. Show in all ways that patient is the first priority.

* Maintain strict confidentiality at all times with patient, visitors, co-workers, physician information, and with proprietary organizational information.

EXCELLENCE

Thank Somebody! (Recognition/Appreciation)

* Find ways to specifically recognize and appreciate a co-worker.

* Catch people doing something special and let them know you appreciate it.

* Commend a team member when they demonstrate one or more of our customer service standards and behaviors.

* Openly praise and acknowledge the good work of co-workers by announcing specific professional and personal accomplishments.

Show the way! (Give Directions)

* Make it your job to know where services are at in the facility.

* If someone appears to needs directions, offer to help.

* Offer to escort patients and visitors to their destination.

* If unable to personally escort, take him/her to someone who can, or show him/her the way with a facility map.

* Stock supplies, file, clean room, etc. with free time.

Keep Growing! (Technical competency)

* Maintain a high level of competence; continue to grow in skill and encourage others to do the same.

* Consistently demonstrate excellent technical knowledge on the job.

* Encourage and contribute innovative ideas and ways of doing things that increase efficiencies.

Performance Improvement: Understands and actively supports the organizational and departmental Performance Improvement Initiatives.

* Can verbalize employee's overall responsibility and role in the St. Anthony Hospital Performance Improvement Program.

* Can identify PDCA as St. Anthony Hospital's guide for Process Improvement.

* Can submit evidence of participation in a Performance Improvement activity completed within the last 12 months. (Organizational, departmental, or individual.)

Complete required continuous training and education, including department specific requirements.

Safely cleans, maintains and troubleshoots equipment. Performs periodic quality control and maintains adequate inventory levels and patient records.

Demonstrates knowledge of policies, procedures, standards and guidelines of department/

Responsible for continuing education and training, including department specific requirements.

Performs other duties as needed in order to support the achievement of established goals and objectives.

Age Specific Population Served:

Check the Age Categories that the position commonly serves.

x Neonatal (0-28 days) x Infant (28 days -- 1 yr.) x Pediatric (1 -- 12 yrs.)

x Adolescent (12 -- 20 yrs.) x Adult (20 -- 61 yrs.) x Geriatric (62 yrs. )

* Must be open to additional responsibilities as required by administration.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

High School graduate or equivalent. Must be a graduate of an accredited training program in General diagnostic sonography or equivalent experience

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills:

Must be able to prioritize daily activities to assure efficient operation of patient flow. Must possess skills in oral communications between staff, physicians and other departments. Must demonstrate an appropriate knowledge of anatomy, physiology and exams as it relates to exams performed by the department. Must demonstrate a thorough understanding of laboratory values and other clinical information as it relates to the exams.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand. The employee regularly is required to walk, talk, read, write and hear. The employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Security Access: HIGH - Incumbent has access to restricted or confidential patient information and must comply with the terms of the St. Anthony Hospital security policies as it applies to their job roles.

Working schedules include day shifts. May be required to take standby call or have shift reduced or cut. May be requested to work overtime. When on call, be in hospital within 20 minutes. Physically and mentally stressful situations including acute/medical situations, infectious or hazardous materials, and short patient through put times in a high volume department.

The worker is reasonably anticipated to have Occupational Exposure to bloodborne pathogens, i.e., skin, eye, mucous membrane or parental contact with blood or other potentially infectious material, in the course of performing job duties..

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Nothing in this document is intended to exclude the opportunity for modifications or adjustment to the job or the manner of performing it consistent with the requirement to provide reasonable accommodation to the disabled. With or without accommodation, the essential functions must be performed. Employees unable to accomplish any functions may request reasonable accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Certifications

American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Education

High School graduate or equivalent. Must be a graduate of an accredited training program in General diagnostic sonography or equivalent experience