The Sonographer reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Memorial, adheres to the organizationās Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Programs, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.
Performs diagnostic ultrasound procedures according to industry standards, along with department policies and procedures.
Responsibilities:
- Evaluates the request for diagnostic ultrasound services and assesses the patient to determine the appropriate procedure protocol and methods of application.
- Utilize equipment and accessories, employ techniques and procedures, perform services in accordance with an accepted standard of practice to generate ultrasound images and demonstrates expertise in limiting the exposure to the patient.
- Provides patient education in the form of written material and/or verbal explanation prior to, during and subsequent to the procedure in order to reduce the patientās anxiety and enhance his/her comfort zone with respect to tolerance of the procedure.
- The Sonographer acts as an agent through observation and communication to obtain pertinent information for the physician to aid the diagnosis and treatment management of the patient.
- Responsible for set-up and sterile tray preparation, including procedure specific needs, medications, guide wires, catheters, and other ancillary equipment.
- Responsible for instruction and clinical supervision of students enrolled in an approved ultrasound program.
- Cares for the patient throughout the procedure according to department and hospital standards of patient care, age-specific sensitivities, and āpatients firstā guidelines. Participates in lifting and transporting patients to and from imaging devices.
Additional Functions
- Documents imaging procedures manually and/or electronically to insure correct charging, and patient and film file tracking.
- Sends acquired images to PACS system correctly using the appropriate accession numbers for future retrieval by medical staff.
- Monitors stock of supplies in imagining rooms to assure their regular availability by timely reordering, rotation of dated items, and by maintenance of a clean and orderly environment.
- Reports incidences of equipment failure, irregularities in equipment performance, and equipment in disrepair to supervisor as soon as possible.