Breast Sonographer at Parkland Health and Hospital System

Interested in a career with both meaning and growth? Whether your abilities are in direct patient care or one of the many other areas of healthcare administration and support, everyone at Parkland works together to fulfill our mission: the health and well-being of individuals and communities entrusted to our care. By joining Parkland, you become part of a diverse healthcare legacy that’s served our community for more than 125 years. Put your skills to work with us, seek opportunities to learn and join a talented team where patient care is more than a job. It’s our passion.

Operates ultrasound equipment to produce basic diagnostic scans of high quality while ensuring optimal patient care.

Education

• Graduate from an accredited sonography and/or imaging program.

Equivalent Education and/or Experience

• Education completed in sonography in another country with current abdomen credential from the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists - Sonography (ARRT(S)) and hospital sonography experience.

Certification/Registration/Licensure

• Sonographers working in Radiology ultrasound (70420) must be registered in the sub

specialty of abdomen [by ARDMS (RDMS (AB)) or ARRT (S)] or vascular sonography [by ARDMS RVT or CCI-RVS] as a condition of hire.

• If hired with sub specialty of abdomen [by ARDMS (RDMS (AB)) or ARRT (S)] then the

vascular sonography sub specialty [by ARDMS RVT or CCI-RVS] must be obtained

within 12 months of hire date.

• If hired with sub-specialty of vascular sonography [by ARDMS RVT or CCI-RVS] then

sub specialty abdomen [by ARDMS (RDMS (AB)) or ARRT (S)] must be obtained within

12 months of hire date.

• Sonographers working in Mammography (70550) must be registered by the American

Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), or have American Registry of

Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

• If hired with ARDMS, then the breast ultrasound subspecialty RDMS(BR), must be

obtained within 12 months of hire date.

• If hired with ARRT(R), then the breast ultrasound subspecialty (BS) and mammography (M) subspecialties are required.

• Sonographers working in high-risk OB/Gyn (60030) Sonography must be registered as a Sonographer by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers RDMS (OB/GYN) within 6 months of hire date.

• Must have a current Healthcare Provider CPR course completion card or obtain certification during initial orientation at Parkland from one of the following:

• American Heart Association

• American Red Cross Rescuer

• Military Training Network

Skills or Special Abilities

• Must be able to operate various types of ultrasound and ancillary equipment used in

performing ultrasound procedures.

• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge of normal and abnormal anatomy.

• Mammography sonographers must be proficient in breast ultrasound exams.

• Must have effective verbal and written communication skills.

• Must be able to demonstrate patient centered/patient valued behaviors.

Responsibilities

1. Operates ultrasound equipment used to produce general diagnostic scans to ensure optimal patient care. Determines equipment and supply needs in advance for general diagnostic scans, ensuring patient safety and scan efficiency.

2. May participate in complex scans and invasive procedures in order to meet vascular

credential requirements and career development activities.

3. Evaluates and verifies images meet departmental quality standards and established imaging protocols. Follows department protocols for image acquisition, labeling, documentation, and image presentation in PACS.

4. Identifies and distinguishes between normal and abnormal anatomy relevant to imaging subspecialty and documents in images and electronic health record per protocol.

5. Maintains required quality standards through use of Peer View and other department metrics reported on a regular basis. Participates in image review and feedback sessions with physicians, senior sonographers, and supervisor.

6. Observes patients during scan to ensure their safety and well being. Able to assess and respond to urgent and emergent patient events and demonstrates ability to obtain appropriate level of emergency assistance.

7. Ensures the accuracy of all data entered into the patient record such as arrival, begin and end exam information. Completes other computerized data entry and charging tasks with correct data to ensure the accuracy of patient records and charges.

8. May access and handle selected medications and contrast media within scope of practice and with supervision and guidance of a Sr. sonographer and/or provider.

9. Maintains and performs basic troubleshooting of ultrasound equipment and informs

supervisor and submits tickets as needed to ensure equipment is operable and safe. Ensures broken equipment is taken out of service.

10. Inspects, cleans, and prepares exam rooms after each patient to ensure the efficiency of patient flow within the area. Follows infection prevention practices and completes any logs or documentation as required. Participates in Environment of Care (EOC) rounds and inspection readiness activities.

11. Actively participates in training of sonography students on clinical rotation in department.

12. Maintains positive working relationships using Parkland Colleague Behavior guidelines.  Serves as a resource person for physicians, other sonographers, students, and patients to ensure an efficient flow of patient information and care.

13. Assists in the department orientation and on boarding of new sonographers, APP staff,  support staff and/or resident physicians.

14. Follows departmental and organizational behavioral expectations and receives no written corrective actions within the evaluation period - or shows significant improvement in behavior since the corrective action occurred.

15. Attends department meetings or department sponsored continuing education sessions. This

provision may be waived at manager's discretion due to shift or emergency circumstances.

Parkland Health and Hospital System prohibits discrimination based on age (40 or over), race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, disability, national origin, marital status, political belief, or veteran status. As part of our commitment to our patients and employees’ wellness, Parkland Health is a tobacco and smoke-free campus.