Lead - Ultrasound Technologist
Advocate Sherman Hospital
Elgin, IL
Days

Major Responsibilities:

Responsible for direct and in-direct patient care.

• Provides clinical coverage as dictated by patient volume, access, or workflow.
• Ability to competently position patients for all exams. Perform problem solving as it relates to physical limitations of patients during patient positioning

• Competent to perform image reviews to determine if more views are necessary to complete the exam
• Able to select and adjust technical factors governing the imaging process
• Ability to identify artifacts on image and assist in problem solving
• Has minimal repeat work
• Efficiently communicates normal and abnormal anatomy that is captured on the scans for the radiologists, including filling out worksheets
• Accurately measures and labels anatomical structures as needed
• Operates all equipment in a competent manner
• Perform start-up and shut down procedures on all equipment
• Ensures that all images are labeled and marked correctly
• Follows the process/policy for using high level disinfectants
• Performs Time Out before starting any procedures
• Follow the process/policy for clean procedures
• Stocks rooms as needed
• Participate in AOS checks as assigned
• Assist other team members/physicians as needed
• Participate in patient education
• Act flexibly to rotate through sites and shifts to provide coverage as warranted

Responsible for daily team operations to ensure overall work standards and goals are achieved.

• Coordinates staffing schedule and works to address staffing issues providing for coverage when warranted.
• Manages and completes teammates time and attendance
• Carries out process audits to confirm maintenance of standard work, policies, and protocols.
• Actively seeks to drive waste out of the process.
• Ensures visual management is maintained and shares feedback with team members regularly.
• Engages and encourages teammates while executing process improvement initiatives.
• Ensures high flexibility of staff to minimize downtime and allow for job rotation while ensuring that effective work balance in the team is maintained.
• Teaches and encourages problem solving/critical thinking in team members as situations warrant; i.e., equipment malfunction, physical limitations of equipment, and physical limitations of patients during patient positioning
• Oversees that documentation of preventative maintenance, equipment repair, recalls, and equipment manufacturer alerts are complete and up-to-date.

Under the direction of the department leaders, manages orientation, training, and performance. Upholds clinic policies and serves as a role model by acting in a manner consistent with Behavior Expectations.

• Ensures teammates meet daily, monthly, and annual accountabilities as depicted by position job description and department procedures.
• Motivates staff, provides praise, and constructive feedback to elicit high levels of productivity.
• Participates in preparing annual teammate performance reviews,
• Verifies licensure/certification of teammates to ensure clinical compliance, (CPR, ARRT, ARDMS, etc.); views original and documents primary source verification.
• Administers, monitors, and ensures compliance with annual competencies, HIPAA, Safety Training, Business Conduct, and OSHA.
• Responsible for the department orientation and training of new teammates
• Conducts ongoing assessment of orientation and training effectiveness, adjusting as appropriate.
• Assists supervisor/manager in recruiting, interviewing, hiring of technologists.  Provides input during interviewing and selection process of new hires
• Understands and acts in support of department work standards, procedures, initiatives, and continuous process improvement to positively impact Key Result Areas and guides teammates as appropriate.
• Consistently recognizes problem situations that require action and proceeds accordingly in a calm, professional manner, demonstrating strong customer service, effective conflict resolution and service recovery skills.
• Ensures regular communication of clinic, site, and department information to team as necessary or appropriate.

Supports supervisor / manager in a variety of department / administrative functions as directed.

• Creates and maintains essential data and files to provide for department reports as directed by manager/supervisor, (i.e. Budget/finance, staffing, inventory).
• Provide consistent feedback on overall operations of department(s) to their direct supervisor/manager.
• Coordinates preventive maintenance and on-demand service for all equipment, as applicable.
• Delegate problems through proper channels and follows through to seek completion.
• Attend and assist with department meetings.
• Monitor and maintain an appropriate supply inventory and coordinate ordering of supplies on a routine or as needed basis.
• Promote cost reduction targets within the team.

Self-Development

• Consistently manages time and demonstrates resource management skills effectively to complete daily activities.
• Maintains licensure/certification(s) and required amount of continuing education credits.
• Completes clinic competencies as required.
• Maintains knowledge of clinic and department policies, procedures, and standards. (i.e. Documentation Policy, Attendance Policy, etc.)
• Participates in developmental/skills training.
• Maintains CPR certification
• Understands and acts in support of department work standards, procedures, initiatives, and continuous process improvement to positively impact Key Result Areas and guides others as appropriate.
• Delegate problems through proper channels and follows through to seek completion
• Completes mandatory courses

Quality Coordination as assigned

• Administers initial and annual competencies
• Audits productivity, scanning, protocols, and technical factors ensuring teammate competency. Reviews audits with teammates and coaches to ensure teammate development.
• Prepares annual competencies for teammate annual performance evaluation.
• Evaluates the need for and develops team/individual training sessions to reinforce standardization, flexibility, and build new skill sets.
• Expert in all ultrasound protocols/exams (with the exception of level 2 ultrasounds).
• Acts as a technical, PACS, EPIC, and equipment resource for ultrasound.
• Provides technical counseling and/or education to all identified staff to improve technical competency. Monitors to ensure technical competency improvement
• Documents all aspects of technical meetings/coaching with team members.
•  Rounds routinely at each ultrasound site and provides technical counseling and/or education to ensure continued technical competency.
• Round with site leaders to educate and answer questions
• Works with technologist's one up and Radiology Practice Manager to address technical competency concerns
• Acts as a liaison between technologists and radiologists regarding quality/feedback, evaluates feedback and determines if additional coaching or education is required.
• Trains technologists on QC testing and oversees/verifies that QC testing is being performed at appropriate intervals and documented.
• Leads American College of Radiology accreditation/reaccreditation process
• Assists supervisor/manager in interviewing technologists by performing technical portion of interview.

Other duties as assigned

Education/Experience Required:

• •Graduate of AMA approved school/program of Ultrasonography •3 years experience as a Ultrasound Technologist.
• Registered/Certified by American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:

• •Highly proficient in ultrasound procedures and equipment • Must have performed ultrasound exams in the last 12 months. • Demonstrates effective communication and interpersonal skills. • Good PC skills; basic keyboard & typing skills. •Previous outpatient service preferred • Demonstrated customer service skills. • Previous experience with EMR and/or scheduling systems. Current CPR. Previous experience supporting, training and mentoring others. Proven ability to use good judgment in stressful situations. Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks.  Previous experience with EMR and/or scheduling systems a plus.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Must be flexible with hours/days and able to adapt to a rapidly changing and fast paced environment •Must demonstrate confidence in one’s own ability and have a calming effect on patients, students and staff •Must keep abreast of changes in regulatory requirements, including ARDMS and ACR. •Must understand and take seriously the social and psychological issues associated with Imaging procedures •Must engage in continual learning and review of new and emerging technologies and operational functions •Must be able to function in an environment with multiple physical movements that are repetitive in nature and associated ailments. •Understand and operate safely ultrasound equipment •Ability to travel to various sites for working and meetings as needed.
• If position has direct patient care or direct patient contact the following lifting requirement supersedes any previous lifting requirement effective 06/01/2015. Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other teammate, when available. Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.