Job Description
Join Decypher and make a direct impact on the health and readiness of Americas service members, veterans, and their families. Since 2008 Decypher has offered healthcare industry professionals careers where their expertise is valued, and their work makes a meaningful impact. Decypher partners with the Defense Health Agency to deliver professional services, technology, and management solutions. Our mission is to provide and support quality care for our veterans, servicemembers and their families, across the United States. Job Summary: The Diagnostic Medical Sonographer performs diagnostic ultrasound and echocardiographic examinations for inpatient and outpatient populations. Responsibilities include transthoracic and stress echocardiography, Doppler imaging, and general ultrasound studies, while ensuring accurate documentation, image quality, and patient safety. The Sonographer collaborates with physicians to identify abnormalities, assist with advanced procedures, maintain equipment, and respond to emergent patient conditions in accordance with facility protocols. Education: Graduate from an academic program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). Certifications: Eligible for certification by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) in the specialty identified in the TO. Experience : Ability to perform exams independently Key Responsibilities: Correlate the patient's clinical history with the requested examination to be performed and obtain the results from previous pertinent diagnostic tests to correlate with the ultrasound study. Recognize normal anatomic variants. Also, recognize anatomic changes created by medical and surgical procedures. Document arrival, departure, and completed tests as required by MTF policy. Send appropriate image series to the radiologist for reading according to MTF protocol. Perform system warmups, calibrations, and quality control tasks according to manufacturer and MTF policy. Recognize artifacts and equipment errors and notify designated Government personnel of outlying values. Explain process to patient and instructs and assists patient in assuming physical position for examination. Assist in the compiling and archiving of records for procedures performed. Observe and report to the Cardiologist any symptoms which have direct bearing on the patient's condition as a result of adverse reaction to contrast media and inform the radiologist of any condition requiring his/her attention. Recognize the need for and initiate emergency measures for critical situations such as respiratory or cardiac arrest. Identify abnormalities during testing and determine need for additional scans of affected area. Perform a full range of diagnostic ultrasonic examinations as appropriate to the discipline. Receive patients and explain procedures, providing humane and appropriate care and communication to alleviate fear of examination. Correctly position the patient for the examination and adjust as necessary for the required examination. Determine if any special patient preparation is required. Operate Sonography/Ultrasonography equipment (scanners, linear/sector/endovaginal probes, pulse/color Doppler, PACS equipment) as per manufacturer recommendations and the radiology department protocols. Receive and interpret requests or instructions for diagnostic ultrasound scans; perform daily warm up and assigned quality control checks of the ultrasound scanners. Explain process to patient and instructs and assists patient in assuming physical position for examination. Key test data and patient information into computer of ultrasound equipment to maintain record of test results. Perform a full range of diagnostic ultrasonic examinations to include but not limited to: Obstetrical sonography - imaging of all fetal anatomy in order to obtain accurate dating and growth parameters and evaluate for fetal abnormalities and problems with the pregnancy. Pelvic sonography imaging of all pelvic anatomy to attain accurate assessment of suspected pathology; abdominal sonography - imaging of all major organs within the abdominal and retroperitoneal spaces (the HCW will assist in any interventional techniques and localize ascites for paracentesis, as required). Thoracic sonography - localize area of pleural effusion for thoracentesis; small parts sonography - imaging of the scrotum, breast, cervical regions, and superficial soft tissues. Assist in intervention procedures as required. Pediatric sonography. Be familiar with and utilize Doppler signals for spect