Ultrasound Technologist

Aurora Health Care; Downers Grove (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurora Health Care in Downers Grove, IL seeks a Medical Sonographer to perform high-quality ultrasound exams, position patients, and assist radiologists. The role requires CPR and safety compliance, ability to work flexible hours, and teamwork in a busy hospital setting.

The candidate must graduate from an ARDMS-approved program and obtain RDMS/OB-GYN, RVT, or ARRT registrations within the specified timelines. On-site work with hospital equipment.

Qualifications

• Provide ultrasound exams and image optimization
• Position patients for quality imaging and use immobilization when needed
• Assist radiologists with technical factor selections and study optimization
• Maintain proper patient history for procedures and communicate with radiology team
• Keep up to date with ultrasound skills and developments
• Treat patients with respect and maintain confidentiality

Responsibilities

• Position patients and select technical factors for optimal scans
• Secure patient history and provide radiologist with necessary information
• Maintain safety standards and CPR certification; follow hospital policies
• Document department records, prep ultrasound rooms, and operate HIS systems
• Stay updated on ultrasound techniques and mentor students or technologists
• Provide a respectful environment and phone etiquette

Skills

Ultrasound

Patient positioning

Equipment operation

Collaboration with radiologist

Portable ultrasound

Education

ARDMS approved program graduation

Job description

Major Responsibilities:

• Positioning of patients and proper selection of technical factors and equipment to obtain scans of optimal quality, making use of any necessary immobilization techniques.
  • 1)Ability to position, transfer and immobilize patients for procedures to ensure optimal quality exams are obtained.
  • 2)Ability to operate portable ultrasound equipment when required to perform portable procedures as requested throughout the hospital.
  • 3)Ability to assist physicians with various recommendations for obtaining optimal studies by suggesting selections for technical factors for procedures.
• Responsible for securing pertinent history from the patient for each procedure, in order to provide the radiologist with adequate information before film interpretation
  • 1)Obtains patient history to ensure that the radiologist will have pertinent information explaining why the diagnostic test is being performed
  • 2)Works closely with the radiologist when requested to ensure an optimal outcome for each procedure performed
  • 3)Maintains positive guest relations when dealing with patients, fellow employees or any personnel encountered during daily activities.
• Compliance with established Accrediting Organization and hospital safety standards to ensure patient and staff well being at all times
  • 1)Maintains annual CPR certification to further ensure safety of patients in department
  • 2)Ability to operate all equipment in a safe manner in accordance with hospital and department’s policies and procedures on safety
  • 3)Uses standard Precautions/protects self from bodily fluid exposure
  • 4)Maintain hospital dept. disaster, fire, and evacuation policy
  • 5)Promotes patient safety by reporting issues through established channels and participating as requested in safety initiatives
  • 6)Attends mandatory in-services / meetings
• Documentation for department records (i.e.: inventories of supplies and patient statistics) to ensure adequate supplies and proper patient records
  • 1)Maintains correct patient records as required. Assembles daily patient schedules and prepares patient folders to enable the department to properly preserve patient’s records.
  • 2)Prepares ultrasound rooms ensuring that necessary equipment and supplies are available before performing procedures.
  • 3)Knows and operates Hospital Information Computer Systems as required.
• Responsible for keeping abreast of current ultrasound skills and new developments in the field of ultrasound
• Instruction and assistance as required by students or fellow technologists orientating in ultrasound
  • 1)Treat all patients and customers with respect and compassion
  • 2)Utilize appropriate phone etiquette
  • 3)Provide an environment conducive to privacy for all patients.
  • 4)Maintain patient confidentiality according to the hospital policies.

Education/Experience Required:

• Graduation from a program approved by ARDMS.

Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required:

• Medical Sonographer (RDMS) registration with Abdomen issued by the American Registry of Diagnostic Med Sonography (ARDMS) needs to be obtained within 3 months unless department leader has determined it is not required, and
• Medical Sonographer (RDMS) registration with OB/GYN issued by the American Registry of Diagnostic Med Sonography (ARDMS) needs to be obtained within 3 months unless department leader has determined it is not required, and
• Vascular Technologist (RVT) registration issued by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) needs to be obtained within 3 months unless department leader has determined it is not required, or
• Vascular Sonography (VS) registration issued by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) needs to be obtained within 3 months unless department leader has determined it is not required, or
• Vascular Specialist (RVS) registration issued by the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) needs to be obtained within 3 months unless department leader has determined it is not required, and
• Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS-AE) registration with Adult Echo issued by the ARDMS needs to be obtained within 18 months unless department leader has determined it is not required, or
• Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) registration issued by the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) needs to be obtained within 18 months unless department leader has determined it is not required, and
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providerscertification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 6 months.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• Possess technical knowledge to perform all U/S studies with minimal amount of assistance from Radiologist. Provide new hires and students basic knowledge of protocols, procedures and images. Able to access pathology and abnormalities when scanning and present these findings to the Radiologist for their interpretation.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• -Ability to adjust to flexible hours at minimal notice as required -Ability to work odd hours (late hours on-call) -Ability to respond to emergency call back in minimal time. -Ability to stand for long periods of time. -Ability to constantly view small CRT screens during exam. -Ability to perform lifting activities related to patients. -Exposed to radiation. -Ability to operate portable equipment. -Ability to deal with extremely ill patients. -Ability to communicate with patients. -Ability to adjust to flexible work hours. -Ability to weekends, holidays,, and emergency call-back. -Ability to participate on-call program and available to department needs with minimal notice. -Ability to do light, medium or heavy lifting. LIGHT: Lifting up to 20-50 pounds occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently. MEDIUM: Lifting up to 20-50 pounds occasionally and/or 10 to 25 pounds frequently and/or 10 pounds constantly. HEAVY. Lifting 50 to 100 pounds occasionally and/or 25 to 50 pounds frequently and/or 10 to 20 pounds constantly. -Ability to make independent professional decisions using good judgment skills. -Ability to practice high quality patient care and technical competence. -Ability to function with minimal assistance in performing job activities. -Ability to demonstrate oral and written communication skills. -May be exposed to hazardous chemicals, such as film processing chemicals. -Ability to attend out-of-town site visits to view equipment. *This position will need to recognize needs and behaviors of a variety of age groups of patients treated, i.e., understand child growth and development; normal patterns of adolescent behavior and look for signs of normal aging, prior experience with various age groups is preferred.
• If position has direct patient care or direct patient contact the following lifting requirement supersedes any previous lifting requirement effective 06/01/2015. Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available. Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.