Description
Perform diagnostic medical sonography to visualize organs, tissues, and blood flow for physician interpretation and interventional guidance. Operate and maintain ultrasound equipment, ensure patient safety and comfort, and acquire high-quality images and measurements; may specialize in abdominal, OB/GYN, vascular, or small-parts sonography.
- • Review and evaluate ultrasound images and cine loops to ensure diagnostic quality and completeness.
- • Operate and oversee diagnostic ultrasound equipment, including Doppler modes, to produce images of organs, tissues, and vessels.
- • Position patients and select appropriate transducers and presets to optimize visualization of the requested anatomy.
- • Adjust imaging parameters (depth, gain, focus, frequency, Doppler settings) to optimize image quality.
- • Explain procedures and observe patients to ensure comfort, privacy, and safety throughout exams.
- • Review orders and clinical indications to determine appropriate ultrasound exam protocol.
- • Enter patient data, select exam protocols, annotate images, and document findings in the system.
- • Obtain relevant patient history and symptoms to guide imaging.
- • Acquire required views and measurements; repeat or extend studies to meet diagnostic standards.
- • Prepare exam rooms, ultrasound machines, transducers, gel, and supplies before procedures.
- • Operate PACS and RIS/EHR to manage orders, images, and reports.
- • Assist with transporting or positioning patients as needed.
- • Monitor patient condition during exams and promptly report significant findings or patient distress.
- • Assist radiologists or providers with ultrasound-guided procedures such as biopsies, drainages, aspirations, and line placements.
- • Operate portable ultrasound equipment in the operating room, emergency department, or at the bedside.
- • Record and maintain patient data, worksheets, measurements, and technical impressions per protocol.
- • Perform sonographic exams of abdomen, pelvis/OB-GYN, vascular (Doppler), small parts, musculoskeletal, and limited pediatric studies per credentials.
- • Assist patients with changing and provide support to those with limited mobility.
- • Perform routine equipment quality assurance, transducer checks, and report or escalate malfunctions.
- • Maintain and follow current ultrasound exam protocols and update as directed.
- • Perform administrative tasks such as scheduling, verifying orders, and communicating exam preparations.
- • Precept students or new staff and provide feedback on performance.
- • Prepare sterile fields, supplies, and local anesthetic materials for ultrasound-guided procedures as directed by a physician.
- • Use real-time ultrasound guidance to assist placement of needles, catheters, or guidewires.
- • Assign daily room or case assignments to sonography staff to maintain patient flow.
- • Coordinate workflow with radiologists, nurses, and clerical staff.
- • Perform supervisory duties such as scheduling, supply management, and assisting with equipment purchases or budget inputs.
- • Coach peers and students on additional views, patient positioning, and scanning techniques to improve image quality.
- • Apply ultrasound safety principles (ALARA), monitor thermal and mechanical indices, and follow infection prevention protocols.
- • Clean, disinfect, and perform high-level disinfection of transducers and document per policy.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
