Registered Ultrasound Technologist

Are you looking for a Challenge? Looking for an innovative organization and the opportunity to learn and grow professionally? We can help! We are seeking a Registered Ultrasound Technologist to support the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS).
I've never heard of Terrestris. What do you do? At Terrestris, we leverage technology to create better mission outcomes through better human performance. We form strong client and team relationships through transparency and strive to create an environment where our team can let their excellence shine through. By finding, developing, and incorporating new ideas, we provide memorable services. Rooted in the USMC values of honor, courage, and commitment, Terrestris seeks to deliver extraordinary value to the American people by helping the Government become more efficient and effective.
So, what will the Registered Ultrasound Technologist at Terrestris do? The Registered Ultrasound Technologist (also known as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer) is a healthcare professional who 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. You will operate diagnostic ultrasound equipment both in the department and in a portable setting, and independently perform a wide range of routine and complex ultrasound exams and vascular studies, recognizing the need to make modifications during the examination. You will coordinate 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. You will apply your knowledge and understanding of the principles of ultrasound and the related highly specialized equipment to provide quality assurance on each scan. You will collaborate on surgical and research procedures under the supervision of a licensed independent practitioner, evaluate the nature of critical and emergency procedures, and rearrange patients scheduled to accommodate them. You will explain examinations to be performed to the patients so that they understand the purpose of the study as well as any requirements of the them so they thoroughly understand the requirements in order to perform an adequate ultrasound study for diagnostic examinations facilitating treatment and diagnosis of disorders. you will advise radiologists or referring clinicians of significant abnormalities that would require their immediate attention and visualization while the patient is undergoing specific examination. You will frequently work independently and make appropriate decisions with little interaction from your supervisor.
What does a typical day look like for the Registered Ultrasound Technologist? You will:
Interpret requests or instructions from radiologists or medical officers.Independently interpret and carry out the requests made by physicians.Prepare rooms, 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.Make certain that 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 utilizing safe patient handling techniques, ergonomic methods, and devices.Position the patient for desired results utilizing positioning cushions and privacy shields as appropriate.Perform 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.Perform Intra-Operative Ultrasound examinations to assist the Interventional Radiologists in tumor ablation procedures in a sterile surgical environment.Set up equipment and make multiple simultaneous settings and adjustments in 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 record, requisition, and through interviewing the patient and/or family.Properly select patient's information from the HIS/RIS list on the workstation and verify patient information prior to scanning.Perform computer work and required forms associated with patient exams, credit of patient visits, complications and/or quality improvement activities of the department.Maintain a neat and clean work area, including desks and countertops at all times, ensuring supplies within assigned work area are properly supplied/stocked so that examinations are not delayed due to lack of necessary equipment and supplies and assist in maintaining inventory of supplies and notifying supervisors of low level of supplies in a timely manner.Maximize patient throughput by contacts with escort, ward secretaries, nursing personnel, etc.Maintain ultrasound equipment as directed by the manufacturer.Maintain responsibility for the quality assurance of the scan (positioning/label/technique/network information) prior to transmission to the PAC's network.Maintain 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.Assist 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.Develop and maintain 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.Explain procedures, answer questions relating to the procedure, position patient for all necessary views and tend to their comfort for the duration of the procedure by exercising judgement to assess and respond to patient's needs prior to, during, and after the procedure.Distribute ultrasound examinations and related information to the radiologist responsible for the interpretation of the exams so that treatment based on diagnosis may be effectuated in a timely manner.Maintain 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.Perform or schedule routine housekeeping duties to ensure that the ultrasound area is clean and sanitary so that when sterile procedures are required in the ultrasound area, there is minimal possibility of cross contamination due to unsanitary conditions.Permit 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.Evaluate and recommend new procedures to the Ultrasound Supervisor that would improve the operation of the section.Learn new advancements in ultrasound procedures and protocols as they are brought forward to meet patient care needs.Act in a professional, cooperative manner using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy in dealing with the customer base.Encourage working as a "team" with co-workers and communicating appropriately and effectively.Coordinate patient care activities with other services as necessary to facilitate treatment of patients in a timely manner.Demonstrate the ability to perform critical clinical tasks and routine quality assurance tasks without assistance.Perform various sonographic functions, including but not limited to: Intra-operative Ultrasound examinations to assist the surgeons in procedures Upper and Lower extremity Venous DopplerUpper and Lower extremity vein mappingCarotid DopplerUpper and Lower extremity arterial duplexArterial bypass graft and stent assessmentRenal artery DopplerRenal transplant DopplerLiver DopplerP TIPS assessmentPseudo aneurysm assessmentAorta Endograft Leak assessmentAV fistula Doppler What qualifications do you look for? You might be the professional we're looking for if you have:
A minimum of two years' current experience in this field and recent Ultrasound Technologist experience in a hospital setting including covering inpatient units, ED and ICU.Current clinical skill and credentialing through in-service programs and continuing education.A current certificate as a Sonographer from the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) and a registry number, or certificate from another body which the ARDMS recognizes as its credentialing equivalent to perform as an Ultrasound Technologist.Demonstrated technical proficiency in Ultrasound techniques and equipment operation.The ability to speak, understand, read, and write English fluently as well as appropriate bedside manner in service of our nation's veterans.Proof of a negative reaction to PPD testing.Proof of immunization for measles, mumps, rubella or a rubella titer of 1.8 or greater.The ability to perform all activities of the position without restriction including:Moderate physical effort (lift/carry up to 50-100 lbs.)Prolonged extensive, or considerable standing/walkingLifting, positioning, pushing, and /or transferring patientsAssisting with lifting and moving patientsLifting supplies/equipmentPushing/pulling or moving/lifting heavy equipment/suppliesApplication of manual dexterity and mobilityIntermittent exertion when performing examsConsiderable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and crouching What kind of benefits does Terrestris Offer? We offer outstanding benefits including health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, and work-life programs. Our award programs acknowledge employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our service standards. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in our benefit programs. Other offerings may be provided for employees not within this category.
Terrestris is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S.
DILBERT © 2018 Scott Adams. Used By permission of ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION. All rights reserved.