Ultrasound Technologist

Date Published: 03/24/2024

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Ultrasound Manager

GENERAL SUMMARY

Works under the supervision of the Ultrasound Manager. The Ultrasound technologist's primary job function is to perform and record diagnostic ultrasound imaging studies according to regulatory and departmental protocols. Is responsible for ensuring patient privacy and confidentiality of records. Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• High School Diploma or successful completion of an equivalent High School Exam Required
• Completion of Certificate Program or Associate's Degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography program required

Licensure:

• ARDMS registered or ARDMS registry eligible/registered in Abdomen or OB/GYN within one year of hire required. Second registry required as determined in consultation with Ultrasound Manager within 2 years of initial hire required. If a failed attempt was made at passing the first or second registry, an extension may be granted by manager.
• BLS within 90 day introductory required

Experience:

• None

Interpersonal Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal skills necessary tin communicating positively and courteously with patients, patient's families, physicians, and co-workers. Ability to explain procedures, allay apprehensions, and to discuss test results with physicians.

Essential Technical/Motor Skills:

• Hand/eye coordination in order to perform examinations using complex equipment requiring precise calibrations.

Essential Physical Requirements:

• Ability to maneuver heavy equipment and/or patients to perform exams.

Essential Mental Requirements:

• Must be able to determine normal v. abnormal anatomy and disease processes. Must be able to analyze number, ratios, indexes according to protocol. Requires higher levels of mental faculties accompanied by short and long term memory.

Essential Sensory Requirements:

• Ability to utilize sight to perform procedures and interpret results. Ability to distinguish color Doppler and spectral data.

Exposure to Hazards:

• Chemicals, and sharps. Normal patient environment with occasional exposure to dust and odors. Frequently exposed to noise. May be exposed to infectious diseases, body fluids, and aggressive visitors.

Other:

• N/A

 

JOB SPECIFIC DUTIES AND PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

The following is a summary of the major job duties of this job. Other duties may be performed, both major and minor, which are not mentioned below. Specific activities may change from time to time. 

1. Assess physician's orders to ensure correct exam. Obtains and documents patient medical history information.

2. Properly identifies patient.

3. Determines extent of exam and archives images to PACS system.

4. Discusses imaging information with radiologist and other physicians.

5. Assists physicians during procedures as needed.

6. Behaves in a professional manner at all times (includes not abusing telephone privileges, breaks, socializing, and being consistently punctual etc.). Acknowledges and adheres to the Standards of Behavior handbook.

7. Maintains knowledge of current trends and developments in the field.

8. Requests equipment service as needed.

9. Assists in training new or less experienced employees.

10. Maintains clean work area and equipment as well as par level stocking.

11. Pre-cleans, decontaminates and transports contaminated instruments according to policy

12. Performs intermediate-level disinfection and/ or high level disinfection per the Instructions for Use (IFU) by the manufacture. This includes ensuring the scopes or probes used within the department are cleaned, disinfected, maintained and stored per the IFU’s

13. Performs other duties as assigned.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

INSTRUCTIONS: Rate if the employee demonstrates competence, does not demonstrate competence, or if the competence is not applicable during this performance/competence review period.

• Method of Assessment: (DO) Direct Observation, (V) Verbalized Knowledge, (ET) Education/Training, (T) Tested
• Population Served: (I) Infant, (P) Pediatric, (Adol) Adolescent, (A) Adult, (G) Geriatric, (AA) All-age specific, (NA) Non-age specific 

1. Customer Relations: Greets customers in a professional manner. Answers phone using proper telephone etiquette

Method of Assessment: DO or V

Population Served: AA

2. Equipment: Demonstrates basic operating and safety procedures for equipment items. Reports routine problems with equipment. Identifies emergency procedures in the event of equipment failure 

- GE Logiq E10 Ultrasound Systems

- Philips Epiq ultrasound machine

- Blood Pressure Monitor

- Automatic Blood Pressure Monitor 

- IV Pumps 

- Patient Transportation Equipment 

- Suction 

- Crash Cart 

- Oxygen 

- Trophon 2 Disinfecting System

- Laser Printers 

- Trophon Disinfecting System 

- Computer 

- Pyxis

- Fibroscan

- Insight and Insight Schedule 

- Streamway Suction System 

- Siemens Ultrasound System

- Enterprise Imaging Pacs/MQ Pacs

- Copier/Fax/Scanner 

- Medstreaming 

- Meditech

Method of Assessment: DO or V

Population Served: AA

3. Equipment Operation: Performs all the essential functions of the current ultrasound equipment to obtain high quality images. Recognizes equipment malfunction and calls for service

Method of Assessment: DO or V

Population Served: AA

4. Identifies Patient and Confirms Physician's Order: Identifies patient using 2 identifiers and confirms physician's orders. Reviews pertinent exams/reports, and documents thorough medical history

Method of Assessment: DO or V

Population Served: AA

5. Imaging: Performs ultrasound exams according to regulatory and departmental protocols. Produces high quality images, noting all pathology, and tailoring the exam to the patient when necessary to further investigate specific pathology

Method of Assessment: DO or V

Population Served: AA

6. Isolation Precautions: Identifies different types of isolation. Consistently utilizes appropriate PPE based upon type of isolation. Demonstrates appropriate cleaning of equipment/room after use with isolation patient. Consistently demonstrates proper techniques for hand washing. Identifies when hand washing is necessary

Method of Assessment: DO, E/T or V

Population Served: AA

7. MRI Safety: Understands the MRI Magnet is always on. Understands the significance of the MRI screening process for patients, visitors, families and staff. Avoids entering the magnet suite without proper screening

Method of Assessment: DO, E/T or V

Population Served: AA

8. Patient Education: Educates patients and families on exams being performed

Method of Assessment: DO, E/T or V

Population Served: AA

9. Patient Falls Prevention: Identifies and demonstrates appropriate response to a patient/visitor fall. Consistently verifies if a patient is a falls risk. Consistently utilizes additional assistance for falls risk patients

Method of Assessment: DO, E/T or V

Population Served: AA

10. Patient Identification: Consistently uses 2 patient identifiers when interacting with patients or performing exams

Method of Assessment: DO or V

Population Served: AA

11. Patient Safety: Documents consistently and accurately regarding interventional procedures, patient histories and safety incidents

Method of Assessment: DO or V 

Population Served: AA

12. Physician Orders Verification: Verifies appropriate doctor's orders, including patient's name, exam, date, diagnosis, physician's signature and time (only on inpatient orders). Distinguishes the difference between verbal orders and telephone orders, as well as, understands the appropriateness of each

Method of Assessment: DO or V 

Population Served: AA

13. Radiation Safety: Recognizes radiation equipment in their work environment and does not enter rooms that are in use

Method of Assessment: DO, E/T or V

Population Served: AA

14. Reportable Conditions: Recognizes and identifies what changes in patient conditions must be reported to a nurse. Understand how to call a Rapid Response and Code Blue

Method of Assessment: DO, E/T or V

Population Served: AA

15. Respiratory Safety: Recognizes oxygen equipment. Identifies methods of oxygen delivery. Understands how to use oxygen equipment

Method of Assessment: DO, E/T or V

Population Served: AA

16. Teamwork: Interacts with a positive attitude, in a pleasant, professional manner, with patients, patient's families, physicians, and other employees, to promote a team effort through cooperation and respect for fellow workers

Method of Assessment: DO or V

Population Served: NA

17. Timely Service: Provides the customer with service within their scheduled appointment time. Interacts with the radiologist regarding positive exams, to help the customer receive timely diagnosis and follow-up

Method of Assessment: DO or V

Population Served: AA

18. Transporting and Hand Off Communication: Adheres to isolation precautions while transporting. Uses appropriate documentation, written and electronic, while transporting, ticket to ride, QDOC, transporter log, patient log at nurse's station. Recognizes and follows all signage post in patient's room. Identifies patient devices that require a nurse to remove

Method of Assessment: DO, E/T or V 

Population Served: AA

19. UTI Prevention: Maintains the Foley catheter bag below the level of the bladder or clamps tubing when bag must be placed on table. Identifies and reports to a nurse when Foley catheter comes out of the bladder. Appropriately cleans tubing if it becomes disconnected before re-connecting the tubing. Checks with nursing before emptying catheter bag

Method of Assessment: DO, E/T or V 

Population Served: AA

20. Decontamination/Transport of Instruments: Demonstrates appropriate pre-cleaning, decontamination, and transportation of instruments that have been used on patients. Performs intermediate-level disinfection and/ or high level disinfection per the Instructions for Use (IFU) by the manufacture. This includes ensuring the scopes or probes used within the department are cleaned, disinfected, maintained and stored per the IFU’s 

Method of Assessment: DO or V 

Population Served: NA

21. Clinical Cultural Diversity: Demonstrates sensitivity to cultural diversity for services provided to visitors and staff and in the care of patients and their families and cultural influences on the individual's reaction to end of life

Method of Assessment: DO, E/T or V

Population Served: AA

22. Care of Diverse Patient Populations: Demonstrates consideration of the population(s) served by exhibiting knowledge, skills, and ability to provide effective care, treatment, and services consistent with the patient needs to include consideration of age, development, culture, and capabilities and according to established policies, procedures, and protocols. Treatments and procedures are explained to patients so that they understand. Adapts communication methods to patients with special needs, for example, sensory or psychological disabilities. Can state the most common patient populations served by this job

Method of Assessment: DO, E/T or V

Population Served: AA