X-Ray – Diagnostic Radiologic Technician
Job Description:
- Interpret requests or instructions from radiologists or medical officers.
- Independently interpret and carry out the requests made by physicians.
- Prepare room, equipment, and materials needed for patient procedures.
- Properly verify the patient's identity using two unique identifiers and using active rather than passive identification, following VHA directives and policies.
- Ensure the patient ID band and the request are identical.
- Explain procedures to patients in a manner that will gain cooperation, understanding, and allay apprehension.
- Transfer patients from stretcher or wheelchair to sonographer exam table using safe patient handling techniques and ergonomic methods and devices.
- Position the patient for desired results, utilizing positioning cushions and privacy shields as appropriate.
- Perform diagnostic ultrasound examinations on multiple areas of the body, including, but not limited to, the abdomen, neck, chest, extremities, pelvis, and retroperitoneal space, to acquire high-quality images to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patient medical disorders.
- Perform intra-operative ultrasound examinations to assist Interventional Radiologists in tumor ablation procedures in a sterile surgical environment.
- Set up equipment, make multiple simultaneous settings and adjustments in the operation of the equipment, and manually maneuver the transducer to perform the exam, ensuring accurate results.
- Obtain pertinent clinical data from the patient, electronic health records, requisition, and interviews with the patient and/or family.
- Properly select the patient's information from the HIS/RIS list on the workstation and verify patient information before scanning. Make annotations, ensure the correct orientation of the image, and configure the image before transmitting it to PACS.
- Perform computer work and complete required forms associated with patient exams, credit patient visits, and participate in quality improvement activities of the department.
- Maintain a clean work area, including desks and countertops, and ensure supplies are properly stocked to avoid delays in examinations. Assist in inventory management by notifying supervisors of low supplies.
- Maximize patient throughput by maintaining communication with escort staff, ward secretaries, and nursing personnel.
- Maintain ultrasound equipment as directed by the manufacturer.
- Ensure the quality of the scan (positioning/label/technique/network information) before transmission to the PACS network.
- Maintain electronic records of patient exams, ensuring that images are transferred into the patient record and performing clerical duties as necessary, such as handling the release of information and image disc creation.
- Assist the Interventional Radiologist in performing cyst punctures, aspiration biopsies, and catheter placements for diagnostic treatment using ultrasound techniques, including the use of surgical sterile techniques, syringes, needles, contrast, etc.
- Develop and maintain patient prep procedures to ensure patients and wards understand the proper preparations for ultrasound examinations, minimizing examination delays. Provide this information either in written form or via telephone.
- Explain procedures, answer questions, position patients for necessary views, and attend to their comfort during the procedure. Exercise judgment in assessing and responding to patient needs before, during, and after the procedure.
- Distribute ultrasound examinations and related information to the radiologist responsible for interpretation, ensuring timely treatment based on diagnosis.
- Maintain competency and thorough knowledge of processes for Critical, Semi-Critical, and Non-Critical Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) and follow Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and preparation of RME.
- Perform or schedule routine housekeeping duties to ensure the ultrasound area is clean and sanitary, minimizing cross-contamination during sterile procedures.
- Permit new Ultrasound employees and current staff needing to refresh their knowledge to shadow in the use of protocols, proper patient care, radiation safety, VA computer programs, and equipment operation.
- Evaluate and recommend new procedures to the Ultrasound Supervisor to improve operations.
- Learn and implement new advancements in ultrasound procedures and protocols to meet patient care needs.
- Act in a professional, cooperative manner, using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy in interactions.
- Encourage teamwork among co-workers and communicate effectively.
- Coordinate patient care activities with other services as necessary to ensure timely treatment.
- Demonstrate the ability to perform critical clinical tasks and routine quality assurance tasks independently.
- Duties may vary according to the needs of the shift, along with miscellaneous duties as assigned.
Work Environment:
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 a Sonographer. The Sonographer operates diagnostic ultrasound equipment both in the department and in a portable setting and 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 100% of the workweek. The Sonographer 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 the diagnosis of disease. The Sonographer knows and understands the principles of ultrasound and the specialized equipment well enough to approve the acceptability or reject ability of each scan. The Sonographer collaborates on surgical and research procedures under the supervision of a licensed independent practitioner and evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures, rearranging patients' schedules as necessary. The Sonographer explains examinations to patients so they understand the purpose of the study and any requirements for the ultrasound, ensuring an adequate study is obtained for the diagnosis and treatment of disorders. The Sonographer advises radiologists or referring clinicians of significant abnormalities requiring immediate attention while the patient is undergoing the examination. The Diagnostic Ultrasound Technologist 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. The Technologist performs technical work in support of Diagnostic Radiology under the direction of a physician.
Required Skills:
- Ability to pass any required government background check.
- Registered Ultrasound Technologists must have a minimum of two years of current experience in this field and recent experience in a hospital setting, including covering inpatient units, ED, and ICU.
- Maintain current clinical skills and credentialing through in-service programs and continuing education, which includes evidence of certification as a Sonographer from the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) or another body recognized by the ARDMS, as well as a registry number to perform as an Ultrasound Technologist.
- BLS/ACLS
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