ULTRASOUND TECHNOLOGIST

Independence Health System; Mount Pleasant (Westmoreland County); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Independence Health System is seeking a diagnostic medical sonography professional to produce ultrasound images and support physicians in diagnosis and procedures. You will collect patient data, verify orders, obtain consent, and optimize imaging parameters while coordinating with departments and maintaining image quality.

The role requires completion of an accredited ultrasound program, leadership and communication skills, and current BLS/ARDMS credentials.

Qualifications

• Completion of CAAHEOP accredited Medical Ultrasound Program.
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.

Responsibilities

• Collects pertinent data about the patient and procedure and verifies orders.
• Provides information to the patient about the procedure and obtains informed consent.
• Analyzes assessment data to determine imaging parameters and selects appropriate ultrasound equipment and scanning techniques.
• Sends images to PACS for radiologist interpretation and communicates findings per protocol.
• Documents patient care, exams, and history in HIS/RIS and PACS systems.
• Maintains equipment and performs daily QC, reports malfunctions, and coordinates downtime procedures.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Independent thinking

Analytical thinking

Education

CAAHEOP accredited Medical Ultrasound Program

Tools

Ultrasound equipment

Job description

Produces diagnostic images using ultrasound equipment to assist physicians in the diagnosis of disease and for interventional procedures.

Essential Job Functions

• Collects pertinent data about the patient and procedure.
  • Confirms the patient's identification and verifies the physician's order.
  • Assures the proper screening protocol is completed.
• Provides information to the patient about the procedure.
  • Verifies the patient has consented to the procedure and answers any questions the patient may have.
  • Provides accurate explanations and instructions at an appropriate time and at a level the patient can understand.
• Analyzes the information obtained during the assessment phase to determine optimal imaging parameters per diagnosis.
  • Determines whether the patient has been appropriately prepared for the procedure.
  • Assess factors that may contraindicate procedures such as medications and insufficient patient preparation.
  • Selects appropriate ultrasound equipment and scanning techniques based on the age and size of the patient and the objective of the exam to optimize the procedure and minimize patient exposure to acoustic energy.
• Adjusts as needed to better visualize the anatomy or pathology according to established protocols and guidelines.
• Sends images to PACS for interpretation by radiologist.
• Acts based on patient and procedural variances.
  • Notifies appropriate healthcare provider when immediate clinical response is necessary based on findings and patient condition.
  • Initiates additional scanning techniques for further investigation of area of interest.
  • Collects and documents additional images and patient data as needed.
  • Provides the interpreting physician with a summary of findings according to hospital protocol.
• Documents information about patient care, exams, and patient history in appropriate record.
  • Verifies correct order is entered into HIS/RIS.
  • Documents appropriate patient history into PACS system.
  • Documents any exceptions to the established guidelines.
• Facilitates correspondence with all departments to assure procedures are done in a timely manner.
  • Works with centralized scheduling, nursing units and ER to accommodate STAT or ASAP orders.
  • Responds to emergency call per department procedures.
• Maintains equipment and workstation in optimum condition.
  • Performs daily QC on equipment.
  • Assures adequate patient care and office supplies are maintained.
  • Reports equipment malfunction to service provider and supervisor.
• Implements downtime procedures when necessary.
  • Coordinates rescheduling of patients during equipment downtime.
  • Initiates established downtime procedures during HIS/RIS and PACS downtime.
• Attends department meetings/reviews minutes as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Competency and Experience [Knowledge, Skills and Abilities]

Required Qualifications/Experience

• Completion of CAAHEOP accredited Medical Ultrasound Program
• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.

Preferred Qualifications/Experience

• One (1) year experience in Ultrasound
• Experience in Healthcare setting.

License, Certification & Clearances

• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) approved curriculum of the American Heart Association (CPR and AED) program.
• Current registry with the American Registry Diagnostic Medical Sonographers with 1 certifications of the following: Abdominal, Vascular, OB/GYN, Breast, or Nuchal Translucency.
• Act 33 clearance
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on‑call, etc.).
• Travel may be expected locally between System locations.

Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Effective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelines

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

Essential – Absolute Necessity.

Marginal – Minimal Necessity.

Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.

Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.

Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.

Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.

Physical Condition

Marginal

Constantly

Frequently

Occasionally

Rarely

Never

Extreme Heat

x

Extreme Cold

x

Heights

x

Confined Spaces

x

x

Mechanical Hazards

x

x

Use of Vibrating Tools

x

Operates Vehicle (company)

x

x

Use of Lifting/Transfer Devices

x

x

Rotates All Shifts

x

x

x

x

x

x

On-Call

x

x

Overtime(+8/hrs/shift; 40/hr/wk)

x

x

x

x

x

x

Respirator Protective Equipment

x

x

Eye Protection

x

x

Hearing Protection

x

Hand Protection

x

x

Feet, Toe Protection

x

x

Body Protection

x

x

Latex Exposure

x

x

Solvent Exposure

x

Paint (direct use) Exposure

x

Dust (sanding) Exposure

x

x

Cytotoxic (Chemo) Exposure

x

x

x

x

x

Mist Exposure

x

x

x

x

x

x

Laser Exposure

x

Physical Demands

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

Essential – Absolute Necessity.

Marginal – Minimal Necessity.

Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.

Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.

Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.

Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.

Physical Condition

Marginal

Constantly

Frequently

Occasionally

Rarely

Never

x

x

x

x

Walking

x

x

x

x

Climbing Ladders

x

Standing

x

x

Kneeling

x

x

Squatting (Crouching)

x

x

Twisting/Turning

x

x

Keyboard/Computer Operation

x

x

Gross Grasp

x

x

x

x

Hand/Arm Coordination

x

x

Pushing/Pulling(lbs. of force)

x

<20#

Carry

x

<10#

Transfer/Push/Pull Patients

x

x

Seeing Near w/Acuity

x

x

Feeling (Sensation)

x

x

x

x

Hearing Clearly

x

x

Pulling/Pushing Objects Overhead

x

x

Reaching Above Shoulder Level

x

x

Reaching Forward

x

Lifting Floor to Knuckle

x

<10#

Lifting Seat Pan to Knuckle

x

Lifting Knuckle to Shoulder

x

<10#

Lifting Shoulder to Overhead

x

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.