Sonographer

How would you like to work in a place where your contributions and ideas are valued? A place where you can serve with compassion, pursue excellence and honor every voice? At Wellstar, our mission is simple, yet powerful: to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve. We are proud to have become a shining example of what's possible when the brightest professionals dedicate themselves to making a difference in the healthcare industry, and in people's lives.

Work Shift

Job Summary

• Wellstar Cobb in Austell, Georgia is seeking a PT Weekend Sonographer.
• The days and hours for the position are Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5:00pm - 1:00am.
• This position will receive evening and weekend shift differentials.
• The Sonographer must be flexible with work hours to meet department needs.
• Must be dependable, accountable and cooperative.
• Assists with providing safe, age-appropriate care by performing all exams per department protocols.
• Has the knowledge and ability to properly and safely obtain a quality diagnostic study.
• Responsible for performing a wide variety of technical procedures requiring independent judgment, ingenuity and initiative.
• Able to independently perform job functions.
• Sets up equipment to provide imaging service and positions patient for the procedure.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions

Equipment

• Demonstrates the ability to adjust technique so that the patient receives the lowest possible dose of ionizing radiation while maintaining image quality.
• Reports malfunctioning equipment to supervisor or service provider for timely correction.
• Cleans, disinfects and maintains equipment according to infection control policy and department cleaning schedule.

Patient Care

• Verifies proper clinician order for procedure.
• Obtains complete clinical history, gathers examination data and assesses for contraindicating conditions.
• Ensures proper patient identification and correct right/left marker use.
• Reviews ultrasound images for clinically acceptable results and releases patients.
• Responds to emergency situations and maintains life-support equipment.
• Assists other technologists in all modalities when needed.
• Observes patient condition and evaluates when physician intervention is necessary.
• Verifies correct identity of patient using two unique identifiers per hospital policy.
• Ensures patient privacy and comfort; maintains patient dignity throughout the exam/procedure.
• Demonstrates competence in selecting and applying appropriate procedures, equipment, supplies and techniques based on patient age.
• Organizes schedule, time and priorities to complete required activities on time.
• Follows physicians' instructions when assisting with procedures and exams.
• Uses critical thinking skills.
• Dialogs with patient/family.
• Asks clarifying questions.
• Seeks clarification on ambiguous orders.
• Understands, demonstrates and documents preprocedural verification and Time-Out when appropriate.
• Demonstrates and understands pre- and post-procedural care.
• Preps the patient for the procedure.
• Demonstrates and understands sterile technique.

Education and Communication

• Patiently and clearly explains procedure purpose using AIDET to minimize anxiety and facilitate cooperation.
• Ensures patient questions, concerns or contraindications are addressed; notifies physician when unresolved.
• Participates in orientation and training of departmental employees.
• Provides preparatory instruction and explanation of procedures.
• Documentation is concise, legible and precise.
• Reads email each scheduled workday and follows through with assignments.
• Completes mandatory departmental and hospital-wide education without prompting.

Quality Control

• Consistently produces acceptable images as evidenced by provider feedback and quality audits.
• Ensures equipment is operational prior to each use by checking calibration and operating deficiencies.
• Sends all studies to PACS immediately after completion; prints CDs as needed.
• Prints and scans after-hours teleradiography studies into PACS when applicable.
• Completes all studies in RIS before completing in PACS.
• Prints completed teleradiography log sheet and submits to Radiologist when applicable.
• Performs and maintains quality control logs for probe disinfection and follows all infection control policies.

Operations

• Restocks linens and supplies and maintains the department in clean and orderly condition.
• Transports patients, positions them and assists on and off procedure table.
• Performs patient charging activities on the day of service.
• Applies supportive and immobilization devices and equipment.
• Willingly lends knowledge and assistance to others when needed and as time allows.
• Performs clerical and support duties to ensure continuity and quality of services.
• Keeps supervisor informed and promptly reports problems or potential issues.
• Maintains individual productivity equal to other coworkers.
• Ability to operate all workstations associated with the ultrasound department.
• Ability to push/retrieve images from the ultrasound console to PACS.
• Maintains Joint Commission and other regulatory standards.
• Takes call when necessary.
• Any other duties as assigned.

Required Minimum Education

• Graduate of an accredited Sonography Program - Required

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s)

(All required upon hire unless otherwise stated)

• Registered Medical Sonographer or ARRT Sonography
• Basic Life Support (BLS) through American Heart Association

Required Minimum Experience

• Successful completion of a Sonography Training Program - Required
• Minimum 1-year clinical experience - Preferred

Required Minimum Skills

• Must exhibit excellent verbal and written communication skills with physicians, patients, visitors, departmental staff and nursing staff.
• Routinely obtains, presents and discusses clinical information regarding job responsibilities.
• Able to explain or give directions to maintain goodwill and cooperation.
• Must function independently and under pressure while actively participating in a team environment.
• Must consistently exhibit excellent customer service skills.
• Must perform effectively in a stressful and fast-paced work environment.
• Must have the ability to prioritize appropriately.
• Must be detail oriented and able to multitask effectively throughout the shift.
• Must communicate professionally with patients, families, coworkers, volunteers and physicians.
• Must function independently yet productively as a cooperative team member.
• Must be compliant with all Hospital policies and established practices, protocols and professional standards.
• Must be flexible with work hours to meet department needs.
• Must be dependable, accountable and cooperative.
• Assists with providing safe, age-appropriate care by performing all exams according to department procedures.
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