Sonologist Associate - Diagnostic Radiology Full time Days

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

The  Sonographer – Sonologist Associate  reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

Performs diagnostic ultrasound procedures according to industry standards, along with department policies and procedures.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Evaluates the request for diagnostic ultrasound services and assesses the patient to determine the appropriate procedure protocol and methods of application.
• Utilize equipment and accessories, employ techniques and procedures, perform services and demonstrate expertise in accordance with an accepted standard of practice to generate ultrasound images.
• Provides patient education in the form of written material and/or verbal explanation prior to, during and subsequent to the procedure in order to reduce the patient’s anxiety and enhance his/her comfort with respect to tolerance of the procedure.
• Acts as an agent through observation and communication to obtain pertinent information for the physician to aid the diagnosis and treatment management of the patient.
• Responsible for instruction and clinical supervision of students enrolled in an approved ultrasound program and residents
• Cares for the patient throughout the procedure according to department and hospital standards of patient care, age-specific sensitivities, and “patients first” guidelines. Participates in lifting and transporting patients to and from imaging devices.
• Documents imaging procedures manually and/or electronically to insure correct charging, and preliminary results prior to sending to interpreting physician.
• Pursue and maintain cutting-edge technical and clinical updates
• Reports incidences of equipment failure, irregularities in equipment performance, and equipment in disrepair as soon as possible
• Provides technical, image quality, and accuracy oversight for the assessment of sonography examination
• Participates in formal and informal process improvement and problem solving to enhance the quality of service to customers
• Identifies areas for potential improvement and recommends corrective actions.

Additional Functions

• Perform advanced sonography services such as dictating and diagnosing ultrasound exams delegated by the supervising physician, consistent with education, training, and facility protocols, policies and procedures.
• Review patient medical history and supporting clinical information and examination of images and provide preliminary report of sonography examination for use by the interpreting physicians
• Ensure the sonography examination order is complete, contains relevant clinical information and meets the standard for ‘medical necessity”
• Synthesize sonography examination results and prepare the preliminary findings.
• Identify and document any limitations to the sonographers examination
• Except as authorized by written facility policies and procedures, refer specific diagnostic, treatment or prognosis questions to the appropriate physician or healthcare professional
• Document any incidental findings that may impact patient safety or patient care and provide that information to the interpreting physician.
• Ensure staff compliance with clinical and operational protocols, policies and procedures
• Provide leadership and direction in the development and implementation of protocols, policies, procedures, and new technologies
• Assist with the orientation and training of new staff sonographers
• Functions as a technical or clinical leader in sonography
• Work with supervising physician to ensure quality patient care
• Ensure that sonography examination results meet the facility standard for quality assurance before findings are released for interpretation
• Provides re-scanning support to staff sonographers, when appropriate

Required:

• College based two year training program with clinical education in an accredited health care setting
• Technical competency in General Abdominal/Small Parts scanning, Abdominal Doppler, and general Gynecological scanning
• Graduation from an accredited program in Ultrasound
• ARDMS certification in Abdomen (AB)
• Maintains current ARDMS certification relevant to specialty area – i.e. OB/GYN, RMSKS, VT
• Minimum of 3 years of experience as ARDMS certified Sonographer
• CPR Certification (BLS) through the American Heart Association
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Preferred:

• Ability to solve problems – excellent critical thinking skills
• Ability to obtain, understand and preliminarily interpret sonographic examinations
• Extensive clinical experience in providing sonography services and demonstrated ability to mentor and support staff sonographers

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check.  Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. 

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.