Ultrasound Technologist - Interventional Radiology

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention, and through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees and the public.

SUMMARY

Perform Ultrasound imaging and patient care on patients with an Ultrasound exam ordered by a physician.

Shift / Hours : Monday - Friday / 8 : 30am - 5pm

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES

Technical Skills, Accuracy, Communication and Critical Thinking

• Functions within professional scope of practice to provide high quality care while working in a dynamic, complex team oriented highly productive patient care environment.
• Images patients utilizing approved protocols / procedures and brings questions forward before imaging patients. Responsible for provision of high quality exams while working in a dynamic, complex, team-oriented and highly productive patient care environment.
• Performs studies / procedures as outlined in the department manuals / guidelines including routine, immediate care, portable, on-call, biopsy procedures and intraoperatives cases by applying principles of ultrasound in the execution of imaging requirements.
• Properly utilizes sterile or aseptic technique and administers contrast agents where applicable. Reviews medications and patient allergies.

Follows the five rights of drug administration.

Demonstrates the ability to address and handle patient care concerns or other problems by utilizing critical thinking to analyze and evaluate cause and affect outcomes and effectively implement solutions.

Corrects problems as they arise and notifies supervisor / manager when assistance is required to do so.

• Demonstrates skills required to successfully complete clinical competencies and can function independently without direct supervision.
• Ensures that patient studies are reviewed for accuracy, coded and charged appropriately.
• Demonstrates the ability to address and handle patient care concerns, notifies the radiologist if when gross pathological findings are discovered.
• Responsible for quality assurance activities on technical equipment and collaborates with appropriate parties to resolve image quality issues.
• Communicates professionally, effectively and in a timely manner with all patient care providers, patients and guests. Practices responsible use of communication tools (whiteboard, paging systems, telephones, email, fax, etc.).
• Technical accuracy : imaging studies are appropriately imaged and error rates are minimized to appropriate established levels.
• Responsible for in depth knowledge of all routine section specific protocols / procedures. Able to perform specialized procedures / protocols with limited assistance.
• Accurately enters data into systems, (, PACS, equipment systems, electronic medical record, and other computer systems).

Patient Care and Safety

• Ensures all patients are provided care in a safe environment, free of hazards. Provides full attention to the patient and the procedure.
• Demonstrates knowledge of Age Specific Criteria in carrying out work duties and tasks.
• Correctly identifies patients using approved identifiers.
• Implements all safety and fall precautions and communicates needs with team members through effective methods. Recognizes patient distress signs, initiates and follows emergency procedures : nurse / physician, DIURT, CODE.

Documents incidents, variances, unusual circumstances or patient concerns and notifies appropriate personnel as needed.

Properly administers contrast agents, utilizes sterile or aseptic technique where applicable. Reviews medications and allergies.

Follows the five rights of drug administration.

• Ensures work areas and equipment is safe, clean, organized and appropriate supplies are available for the procedures and checklists are completed (includes emergency supplies).
• During system failure, performs down time procedures and immediately reports to supervisor for reassignment of duties.
• Relays all equipment malfunctions to the DI Engineering Team, supervisor and manager with appropriate information readily available.
• Protect patients by following ALARA and Image Gently principles.

Service, Productivity and Efficiency

• Exhibits and maintains a high level of professionalism and customer service at all times. Respectful and professional at all times when interacting with patients and guests, staff and faculty.
• Maintains high productivity levels. Actively seeks opportunities to assist in overall patient care activities in the department.

This may include escorting patients from holding areas to scanner, offering to work over when needed, assisting peers and nursing staff.

Effectively manages patient flow and minimizes delays by utilizing critical thinking to analyze and evaluate cause and affect outcomes and effectively implement solutions.

Demonstrates flexibility and the ability to work effectively and efficiently.

• Ensures completion of all duties and conducts daily verbal hand-off communication to relief technologist at shift end.
• Must be able to work flexible schedules to cover early and late hours of operation in all locations of the department. Must be able to take rotational call including holidays if needed by the department.
• All other duties as assigned.

Other duties as assigned

REQUIREMENTS

Education : Graduation from an accredited program of ultrasound technology or radiologic technology.

Preferred Education : Bachelor's Level Degree

Certification : One of the following :

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists : Sonography (ARRT - S); Breast Sonography (ARRT - BS); Vascular Sonography (ARRT - VS);

Cardiovascular Credentialing International - Registered Vascular Specialist (CCI - RVS); OR, American

One of the following :

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists : Sonography (ARRT - S); Breast Sonography (ARRT - BS); Vascular Sonography (ARRT - VS);

Cardiovascular Credentialing International - Registered Vascular Specialist (CCI - RVS); OR, American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) - Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS).

Basic Life Support (BLS).

Preferred Certification : Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (RDMS) through ARDMS (AB, OB / GYN, or RVT)

Sonography (S) or Vascular (VS) through ARRT

Experience : None.

Preferred Experience : None

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity / expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.