Vascular Technol - Reg (SI)

Job Description

Performs vascular studies on assigned patients. Maintains and equipment for daily workload.

Job Responsibility

*Patient Care:

*Properly identifies oneself and properly identifies patient prior to start of procedure as established by departmental policies and procedures. Use two patient identifiers at each patient encounter.

*Initiates and maintains quality patient care throughout patient procedure.

Assesses and responds to individual patient need.

*Considers patient comfort and emotional needs.

*Interacts courteously and respectfully in all contacts.

*Explains procedure and requirements to patient and family members, within a reasonable amount of time, prior to beginning procedure.

Answers questions competently.

*Reviews Ultrasound/Vascular order against physicians referral or patient medical record to ensure correctness and appropriateness of procedure ordered.

*Establishes appropriate and effective communication with the patient and/or family members in order to successfully and optimally complete the procedure. Keeps patient and/or family members informed of progress and/or delays associated with their procedure.

*Readily and willingly contributes to the team approach, in order to provide the best possible patient care and services.

*Interfaces with patient, staff and physicians both within and external to the department to facilitate the improvement of the patient experience in every possible way.

*Works continuously to improve Press Ganey scores via patient

satisfaction.

**Infection Control:

*Correctly and consistently follows department procedures for cleaning and disinfecting external transducers.

*Correctly and consistently follows department procedures for

sending/receiving internal transducers to Central Sterile for high-level disinfection.

*Keeps room/work station neat, orderly and clean per IC and department standards.

*Practices sterile technique and prevents cross-contamination during special procedures.

**Clinical / Technical Skills:

*Performs ultrasound/vascular procedures, which may include, but is not limited to abdominal, OB/GYN, neuro-sonology, pediatric, vascular physiologic evaluations, vascular duplex, intra-operative duplex and ultrasound guided biopsy.

*Performs general ultrasound examinations following ACR Ultrasound Standards and departmental policies.

*Performs vascular ultrasound and vascular physiologic testing

examinations following ICAVL Standards and departmental policies.

Extends the basic standard as needed to include and document

abnormal findings or normal variants in multiple planes and

measurements.

*Adjusts technical factors appropriately to patient and body part being examined.

*Assists physician with special procedures requiring ultrasound guidance, such as biopsies, aspirations and pseudoaneurysm injections.

*Records patient history and pertinent clinical data related to procedure.

Performs brief physical exam including auscultation of bruits, bilateral blood pressure measurement, visual observations for physical signs of ischemia, etc., based on clinical symptoms. Documents same in IDX technologist notes fields.

*Appropriately and accurately labels all images with regard to side, organ, quadrant, vessel patient position and transducer orientation.

*Demonstrates cross-sectional anatomy through proper patient positioning and transducer selection.

*Reviews images for identification, technique and completeness prior to verifying them in PACS.

*Consistently completes Vascular Preliminary Report Form per

department policy.

*Transports patients when necessary to expedite work flow and enhance patient experience.

*Performs physiologic arterial testing of upper/lower extremities utilizing analogue waveforms, segmental pressures, photoplethysmography, pulse volume recording, exercise or hyperemia response, duplex imaging as ordered by physicians.

*Performs intracranial cerebrovascular testing using transcranial duplex imaging.

*Performs upper/lower extremity venous testing utilizing duplex imaging.

Assesses for venous reflux as requested.

*Recognizes untoward signs/symptoms and initiates interventions, such as calling rapid response or other relevant codes to prevent complications.

*Recognizes and interprets abnormal results of non-invasive vascular and general ultrasound examinations. Communicates pertinent information to physicians in a clear and concise manner, both verbally and in written format. Communicates significant findings to physician in a timely fashion.

Employs read back for all verbal reporting.

*Initiates and performs various testing modalities beyond basic test order to facilitate an accurate diagnosis by interpreting physicians.

*Coordinates scheduling of patients in order to meet needs of department, hospital and physician and provide for quality patient care and optimal productivity.

*Completes routine vascular and ultrasound studies within time frame allotted on a consistent basis.

*Follows specific procedures and precautions in ultrasound equipment operations manuals in order to maintain and protect equipment from frequent and/or unnecessary repairs and maintenance.

*Recognizes and trouble-shoots ultrasound equipment malfunctions and takes appropriate action to facilitate repair in a timely fashion.

*Obtains previous pertinent medical information from within and outside of the departmental files, as needed. May require telephone calls to physicians offices, other departments and / or hospitals.

*Maintains active status on all professional credentials, meeting CME requirements within prescribed timeframes.

*Keeps informed of latest developments in fields of general ultrasound and vascular technology.

*Attends training sessions and learns new testing modalities, as required by medical and administrative leadership.

*Completes/revises/cancels Ultrasound orders in the IDX as per

department policies.

**Supplemental Duties and Responsibilities:

*Assists in the clinical training of ultrasound and vascular technology students as required. Participates in cross-training of Vascular Lab and General Ultrasound staff.

*Assists in the orientation and competency evaluations of new personnel as required.

*Notifies appropriate supervisory personnel of shortages of supplies, unusual problems or situations within the department or changes inpatient scheduling.

*Notifies appropriate supervisory personnel of infection control deficiencies or unsafe working conditions or practices.

*Performs quality control and preventive maintenance checks as assigned.

*Performs related duties as required.

*ADA Essential Functions

Job Qualification

*Graduate from accredited Ultrasound Technologist program, required. Bachelors

*Degree, preferred.

*Registered ARDMS in abdominal/pelvic ultrasound and RVT in Vascular Technology, required.

*1 year of hospital experience or completion of a clinical rotation at a healthcare facility required.