Ultrasound Technologist

Position Summary
We currently have openings for an Ultrasound Technologist. The work will be on-site at the VA Outpatient Clinic in Salem, OR.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement
To succeed in this job, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• The Registered Ultrasound Technologist works directly with patients and Physicians and operates equipment that uses high-frequency soundwaves to take images and scans of the body's internal organs.
• An Ultrasound Technologist is also known as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer or as a Sonographer. Operates diagnostic ultrasound equipment both in the department and in the portable setting.
• The Sonographer independently performs a wide range of routine and complex ultrasound exams and vascular studies; recognizing the need to make modifications during the examination. These exams will be performed at a minimum 100% of the work week.
• Coordinates a variety of technical procedures that require independent judgment, ingenuity, and initiative in the application of non-ionizing high frequency ultrasonic waves to humans for diagnosis of disease.
• Knows and understands the principles of ultrasound and the highly specialized equipment well enough to essentially approve the acceptability or reject ability of each scan.
• Collaborates on surgical and research procedures under the supervision of a licensed independent practitioner.
• Evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures, and rearranges patients scheduled to accommodate them.
• Explains examinations to be performed to the patients so that an understanding of the purpose of the study as well as any requirements of the patients is thoroughly understood. This is done so that an adequate ultrasound study may be obtained to get diagnostic examinations for the purpose of treatment and diagnosis of disorders.
• Advises radiologists or referring clinician of significant abnormalities that would require their immediate attention and visualization while the patient is undergoing specific examination.
• The Diagnostic Ultrasound Technologist at this level must be able to work independently and make appropriate decisions with little interaction from the supervisor.
• The incumbent works at a teaching medical center and will support the training and mentoring of Ultrasound students. Technologists perform technical work in support of Diagnostic Radiology, under the direction of a physician.
• Interprets requests or instructions from radiologist or medical officers.
• Independently interprets and carries out the requests made by physicians.
• Prepares room, equipment and materials needed for patient procedures.
• Properly verifies the patient's identity using two unique identifiers and using active rather than passive identification; follows VHA directives and policies.
• Makes certain that the patient ID band and the requests are identical.
• Explains procedures to patients in a manner that will gain cooperation, understanding, and allay apprehension.
• Transfers patients from stretcher or wheelchair to sonographer exam table utilizing safe patient handling techniques; ergonomic methods and devices.
• Positions the patient for desired results; utilizing positioning cushions and privacy shields as appropriate.
• Performs diagnostic ultrasound examination on multiple areas of the body, including, but not limited to the abdomen, neck, chest, extremities, pelvis and retroperitoneal space, for the purpose of acquiring high quality examinations that assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patient medical disorders.
• Performs Intra-Operative Ultrasound examinations to assist the Interventional Radiologists in tumor ablation procedures in a sterile surgical environment.
• Sets up equipment, makes multiple simultaneous settings and adjustments in operation of the equipment, and manually maneuvers the transducer to perform the exam; insuring accurate results.
• Obtains pertinent clinical data from the patients, electronic health record, requisition, and interviewing the patients and/or families.
• Properly selects patients' information from the HIS/RIS list on the workstation, verifies patient information prior to scanning. Annotations are made, correct orientation of the image, configures the image before transmitting to PACS.
• Performa computer work and required forms associated with patient exams, credit of patient visits, complications and/or quality improvement activities of the department.
• Maintains a neat and clean work area, including desks and countertops at all times. Ensures supplies within assigned work area are properly supplied/stocked so that examinations are not delayed due to lack of necessary equipment and supplies. Assists in maintaining inventory of supplies and notifies supervisor of low level of supplies in a timely manner.
• Maximizes patient throughput by contacts with escorts, ward secretaries, nursing personnel, etc.
• Maintains Ultrasound equipment as directed by the manufacturer.
• Responsible for the quality assurance of the scan (positioning/label/technique/network information) prior to transmission to the PAC's network.
• Maintains electronic records of patient exams assuring that the images acquired are transferred into the patient record and perform clerical duties as related to patient care as it pertains to release of information and image disc creation.
• Assists the Interventional Radiologist in the performance of cyst punctures, aspiration biopsies, and catheter placements for the purpose of diagnostic treatment using ultrasound techniques. This requires the use of surgical sterile techniques, syringes, needles, contrast, etc.
• Develops and maintains patient prep procedures so that patients and wards understand the proper preparations for ultrasound examinations in an effort to minimize delays of examinations. These preps are disseminated either by written preparation information or by telephone conversation.
• Explains procedure, answer questions relating to the procedure, position patient for all necessary views and tends to their comfort for the duration of the procedure. Requires the exercise of judgement to assess and respond to patient's needs prior to, during, and after the procedure.
• Distributes ultrasound examinations and related information to the radiologist responsible for the interpretation of the exams. This is done so that treatment based on diagnosis may be effectuated in a timely manner.
• Maintains competency and thorough knowledge of the processes for Critical, Semi-Critical, and Non-Critical Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) and Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) that document the process and procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and preparation of RME and follow established procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and preparation of RME and follow established procedures for all RME.
• Performs or schedules routine housekeeping duties to assure that the ultrasound area is clean and sanitary. This is done so that when sterile procedures are required in the ultrasound area, there is minimal possibility of cross contamination due to unsanitary conditions.
• Permits new Ultrasound employees and current Ultrasound staff needing to refresh their knowledge on equipment to shadow in the use of Ultrasound protocols, proper patient care, radiation safety, VA computer programs as they pertain to Ultrasound procedures and operation of the Ultrasound equipment.
• Evaluates and recommends new procedures to the Ultrasound Supervisor that would improve the operation of the section.
• Learns new advancements in ultrasound procedures and protocols as they are brought forward to meet patient care needs.
• Acts in a professional, cooperative manner; uses tact, diplomacy, and courtesy in dealing with the customer base.
• Encourages working as a team with co-workers and communicates appropriately and effectively.
• Coordinates patient care activities with other Services as necessary to facilitate treatment of patients in a timely manner.
• Demonstrates the ability to perform critical clinical tasks and routine quality assurance tasks without assistance.
• In addition to the above Medical Sonographer Functions the incumbent will perform:
• Intra-operative Ultrasound examinations to assist the surgeons in procedures such as vascular surgeries
  • Upper and Lower extremity Venous Doppler
  • Upper and Lower extremity vein mapping
  • Carotid Doppler
  • Upper and Lower extremity arterial duplex
  • Arterial bypass graft and stent assessment
  • Renal artery Doppler
  • Renal transplant Doppler
  • Liver Doppler
  • P TIPS assessment
  • Pseudo aneurysm assessment
  • Aorta endograft leak assessment
  • AV fistula Doppler
• Duties may vary according to the needs of the shift, along with miscellaneous duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must have three (3) years of current experience in this field including a minimum of six (6) months of recent experience covering inpatient units, emergency departments (ED) and intensive care units (ICU).
• Active certification through the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) in abdomen / small parts and at least 2 certifications such as RVT, OB/GYN, Muscular Skeletal, etc.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification through the American Heart Association
• Proven ability to speak, understand, read, and write English fluently.
• Authorized to work in the U.S. indefinitely without sponsorship.
• Ability to obtain public trust.

Compensation & Benefits

PFS offers a benefits package that may include health, dental, and vision coverage; flexible spending accounts; disability and life insurance; a retirement plan; paid time off; and other programs to support employees and their families. Learn more about PFS Benefits.

The posted salary range represents PFS's good-faith estimate for this role. Actual compensation offered will be determined by a combination of factors, including but not limited to: the candidate's education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience;internal equity; geographic location; and contract and organizational requirements. PFS is committed to fair, consistent, and equitable compensation practices across the organization, and offers are calibrated to maintain internal pay equity while remaining competitive in the external market.
SCA Salary Range: $48.84 / Hour + $5.42 H&W