MAHEC is now accepting candidates for a part-time Sonography Specialist I role supporting OB/GYN at our multidisciplinary Health Center at Cullowhee, NC!

The Sonography Specialist I performs a variety of technical imaging procedures that require independent judgement and initiative in the utilization of ultrasound in a dedicated academic women’s health facility that serves as a regional referral center for both high-risk obstetric and advanced gynecologic care, including level 2 targeted anatomy and 3-D gynecologic ultrasounds as well as a variety of procedures. The sonographer assumes responsibility for procedures performed.  Performs a variety of technical procedures that require independent judgement and initiative in the utilization of ultrasound in a dedicated perinatal and gyn facility.  The sonographer assumes responsibility for procedures performed.  This position will focus on obstetrical and gynecological as needed ultrasound scans. 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

95%, Clinical Activities

• Prepare exam room and ultrasound equipment in accordance with infectious disease, sterilization, and patient safety protocols, policies, and procedures.
• Review patient medical history and supporting clinical information including records received from outside providers, hospital system and EMR.
• Perform ultrasound procedures completely with independent judgement, initiative and accuracy.  Assess the quality of sonographic images produced and state if there are limiting factors affecting the study. Communicate initial findings to patient in a manner appropriate to patient’s ability to comprehend information.
• Accurately label each ultrasound performed.  Complete all preliminary ultrasound reports and assure completeness of all ultrasound records and follow-up with referring care providers for MAHEC patients from all Departments.
• Communicate ultrasound findings to care providers immediately if indicated by preliminary ultrasound findings. Obtain additional images as warranted by screening exam. Notify the maternal-fetal medicine specialist of any suspected abnormalities per protocol.
• Maintain patient privacy and confidentiality in accordance with privacy laws and organizational policies and procedures.
• Assign appropriate priority to patient scheduling of work-ins and accommodates emergencies, if possible.
• Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with co-workers, administrators, support staff, physicians, and other members of the health care team.
• Assist with invasive procedures including amniocentesis, Sono-hysterography, ultrasound guided IUD placement and retrieval.
• Provide educational support and learning opportunities to rotating MFM fellows, OBGYN residents, and sonography students.

5%, Administrative Activities

• Attend monthly Fetal and Maternal Board conference and general office all staff meetings.
• Assist with daily billing/coding responsibilities.
• Assist with scheduling follow-up ultrasound appointments and coordinate with schedulers for patients with multiple appointment needs.
• Provide real time feedback to and written evaluation of various learners rotating in the ultrasound unit.
• Perform and document quality control procedures for ultrasound and sterilization equipment to ensure patient safety, optimal machine performance, and effective preventive maintenance.
• Assist with image capture, reporting, and application preparation necessary to ensure appropriate accreditation is secured and maintained (AIUM, AAAHC, etc.)
• Perform and document quality control procedures for ultrasound and sterilization equipment to ensure patient safety, optimal machine performance, and effective preventive maintenance.
• Assist with image capture and reporting to ensure appropriate accreditation is secured and maintained (AIUM, AAAHC, etc.)

This role description is a general description of the essential job functions.  It is not intended to describe all the duties the Sonographer may perform.

KEY COMPETENCIES:

• Communication Skills

Effectively and respectably communicate with other individuals, whether it be a colleague, patient, or patient’s family member and appropriately enumerate information in a manner easily understood by all parties. We do this to foster a culture of understanding between all parties, especially in complex and difficult situations, to ultimately provide the best care possible to our patients and their families.

• Decision Making

Ability to make the most appropriate decision in a given situation and then taking the next steps to ensure appropriate and timely completion. This requires conflict resolution skills, critical thinking skills, confidence in your ability to make the right decision in most situations. This also includes ability to prioritize your workday appropriately to ensure the most important tasks are completed on time.

• HealthCare Knowledge

Having the drive to keep yourself abreast and up to date on the new breakthroughs in your area of expertise and communicating them to the rest of the team, as appropriate.  This also includes keeping up with your licensure and yearly training requirements within your area expertise along with MAHEC’s organizational training. Finally, the ability to apply the depth of knowledge maintained and gained through this process in real life scenarios as appropriate.

• Interpersonal Skills

Showing the ability to meet difficult situations with grace, professionalism, and understanding. Within your area of expertise, showing respect and showing empathy where appropriate with your colleagues, patients, and their family at all times, even when its most difficult to do so. This is done, in part, by effective listening, being your authentic self, showing responsibility and dependability, and being patient with others.

• Organizational Values

Adherence to MAHEC’s founding principles and incorporating them every day. This includes, among others, having integrity and accountability, reverence for other cultures and equitable practices, ability to manage change, and displaying a clear understanding of organizational dynamics. Doing these things creates a culture where people want to do the best for each other and gives personal ownership towards the goal of helping people in their time of need.

• Problem Solving

Having an analytical mind and ability to work autonomously to solve complex problems that may arise. The wherewithal to think logically through a difficult problem and come to an appropriate resolution for a given issue. This helps to drive continuous improvement by thinking through where we can improve in a novel way. Measures success by understanding where we are currently and where we want to go and then applying those new ideas to affect positive change.

SPECIFIED SKILLS

• COMPUTER
  • Excellent skills with imaging software, Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and database applications preferred.
• FOREIGN LANGUAGE
  • Spanish speaking skills preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Frequently stands, walks, uses hands to handle or feel, reaches with hands and arms, bends, talks, and listens.
• Sometimes sits, climbs, and stoops or kneels.  Lifts up to 50 pounds maximum with frequent lifting/and or carrying objects up to 25 pounds.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school graduate.
• Graduate of an accredited diagnostic medical sonography program
• Passed OBGYN registry
• One year of clinical experience in ultrasound with at least one of those years concentrated in women’s health.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• One or more years’ experience in women’s health imaging

REQUIRED LICENSES:

• ARDMS or ARRT/RDMS registration and active status required.

SCHEDULE:

• This part time role will be typically scheduled for 16-24 hours per week at MAHEC's Cullowhee Health Center.
• Regular attendance on-site is an essential function of this position. Typical business hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (or flexed to best meet the needs of the clients and/or the Division); 40 hours per workweek. Work hours will need to be flexible in order to respond to special work assignments, or evening activities, as requested by the team leader.

Compensation:

• Sonography Specialist I: $43.42/hour

At MAHEC, we strive to equip all team members with Total Rewards (pay + benefits) to honor their service, support their health, manage their financial security, build their career, and thrive.

All MAHEC employees and learners will be required to receive the Flu vaccine or have an approved exemption.

MAHEC Talent Management is located at 121 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC 28803. Equal Opportunity Employer.

MAHEC is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Employees who meet federal requirements may be eligible to have remaining student loan balances forgiven after 10 years of qualifying payments while working full-time at MAHEC.

If you are interested in this role, and you have related experience and qualifications, we encourage you to apply or reach out to AskTalent@mahec.net for support in your job search process. You could be the talent we are seeking for this or other opportunities.