Ultrasound Technologist

Advocate Health Care; Libertyville (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health Care in Libertyville is seeking an ultrasound technologist to perform ultrasound examinations per department protocols and ACR standards, using proper imaging techniques to ensure optimal quality.

Responsibilities include patient positioning, assisting physicians, operating portable equipment, documenting histories, communicating STAT reports, maintaining safety and CPR/ARDMS requirements, and supporting the Ultrasound Department daily operations.

Qualifications

• Graduate of AMA approved School of Ultrasound.
• Able to make diagnostic judgments and present to Radiologist.
• CPR certification within 30 days of hire.
• ARDMS certification within 1 year of graduation.
• Current Advocate associates must be ARDMS certified within 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Perform ultrasound examinations according to department protocols and ACR standards.
• Position patient, adjust equipment, and immobilize patients for quality exams.
• Assist physician during invasive procedures with sterile techniques.
• Operate portable ultrasound equipment for hospital-wide procedures.
• Document pertinent history; communicate STAT reports to physicians.
• Maintain safety standards and infection control; CPR and OSHA compliance.
• Provide technical support and coordinate daily ultrasound department operations.
• Attend in-services and ensure exam accuracy and patient identification.

Skills

Ultrasound imaging

Patient positioning

Sterile technique

Communication

On-call readiness

Team collaboration

Education

AMA approved School of Ultrasound

Tools

Ultrasound equipment

PACs system

Job description

Major Responsibilities

Perform all ultrasound examinations according to department protocols and ACR standards. Uses proper imaging techniques and equipment to obtain scans of optimal quality.

• Positions patient, adjusts equipment and immobilize patients to ensure optimal quality exams are obtained.
• Assist physician during invasive procedures, adhering to sterile techniques, conducting timeout and completing all paperwork accuratly.
• Operates portable ultrasound equipment when required to perform portable procedures as requested throughout the hospital.

Major Responsibilities

Perform all ultrasound examinations according to department protocols and ACR standards. Uses proper imaging techniques and equipment to obtain scans of optimal quality.

• Positions patient, adjusts equipment and immobilize patients to ensure optimal quality exams are obtained.
• Assist physician during invasive procedures, adhering to sterile techniques, conducting timeout and completing all paperwork accuratly.
• Operates portable ultrasound equipment when required to perform portable procedures as requested throughout the hospital.

Resposible for documenting pertinent history for each procedure, in order to provide the radiologist with adequate information prior to interpretation.

• Obtains appropriate medical histories and completes comment sheet for each patient.
• Communicates and/or Fax "STAT" reports to physician offices, nursing units, and Emergency Department upon request, complying with critical value criteria.
• Correlate current exam data with that from the patient's prior exams.
• Routine operation of department PAC's system.
• Communicates with Radiologists in order to assure exam completeness.

Adherence to all accepted safety standards and practices to insure patient safety and quality patient care.

• Maintains CPR certification to futher ensure safety of patients in department.
• Complies with OSHA Standards for infection control to prevent cross-contamination to patients and instruments.
• Maintains awareness of safety hazard labels, pathology specimen, completed lab requisitions for delivery to appropriate lab departments.
• Cleans, prepares, and sanitizes transducers for scanning according to manufacturer recommendations and established infection control standards.
• Attends mandatory in-services / meetings.
• Assures accuracy of exam perfromed and patient identification according to hospital policy.
• Compliance with Accrediting Organization, ACR, IDPH, and EPA standards is required.

Provides technical support for smooth and efficient operation of Ultrasound Department.

• Interacts closely with the Ultrasound supervisor to provide for smooth daily operation of the department.
• Helps in answering telephone, creating requisitions, etc. as needed.
• Demonstrates reliability for attendance and punctuality.
• Demonstrates adaptability and flexibility for change. May be asked to work at any Condell location.
• Works as a team member.
• Transports patients as requested.
• Explains to patients any delay in testing.

Responsible for staying abreast of current ultrasound skills and new developements in the field of ultrasound.

• Maintains continuing education required for ARDMS certification.
• Shares knowledge obtained from attending seminars and through articles with other staff.
• Performs the required tasks to compile data required for continuous quality improvement.

Provision of instruction and orientation to students, technologists, and new technologists to effectively participate in the the assessment of their performance reviews.

• Provides direction and instruction to U/S technologist or student in need of assistance with specific procedures.

Participation in problem-solving issues addressing patients, department operations, quality assurance procedures, interdepartmental relationships and emplyee morale.

• Maintains positive "guest relations" and telephone etiquette following prescribed departmental policies and procedures.
• Thoroughly communicates technical procedural infromation to patient in a positive and freindly manor without revealing diagnosis.

Education/Experience Required

Graduate of AMA approved School of Ultrasound

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

Possess high degree of technical knowledge to perform U/S studies.

Able to make diagnostic judgments when scanning and present them to the Radiologist.

Registry eligible

CPR Certification within 30 days of hire.

New hire must be ARDMS certified within 1 year of graduation.

Current Advocate associates must be ARDMS certified within 6 months.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Must be able to take call on rotation basis.
• Ability to adjust to flexible hours at minimal notice as required.
• Ability to work holidays and weekends.
• Ability to operate portable equipment.
• May be exposed to hazardous materials and life-threatening diseases.
• Perform emergency procedures as required
• Requires good judgment, needs reliability, responsibility, independent thought and action.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with established time constraints.
• Must be conscientious in practicing high quality patient care.
• Must have good oral and written communication skills
• Ability to lift and move patients. Heavy lifting: 50-100 pounds occasionally and/or 25 to 50 pound frequently and/or 10-20 pounds constantly.
• This postilion can recognize needs and behaviors of the following age groups: pediatric(newborn, toddler, school age), adolescent, adult, older adult. Evidence of this can be shown by recognizing levels of development and modifying approach and exhibiting communication skills necessary to interpret age specific responses. 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. Addendum: addendum 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.