Diagnostic medical sonographer job description

This post includes 3 parts: duties list, job qualification and job description writing tips for Diagnostic medical sonographer in details. A complete job description concludes Diagnostic medical sonographer key duties/responsibilities, Diagnostic medical sonographer job qualifications (knowledge, education, skills, abilities, experience…KSA model) and other ones such as daily tasks, key activities, key/core competencies, job functions/purpose…

I. List of Diagnostic medical sonographer duties:

1.        Perform specialized tasks associated with operation of Ultrasound scanners and related equipment in accordance with prescribed biological safety practices.

2.        Demonstrates competent instrumentation skills.

3.        Assist Radiologist with interventional procedures.

4.        Evaluate scans for technical quality, appropriate labeling and transmit to PACS.

5.        Charge procedures and supplies as appropriate to procedures being performed.

6.        Demonstrates ability to teach responsibly to student technologists, staff technologists and residents as required.

7.        Demonstrates cognitive sonographic skills to identify, record and adapt procedures in order to display appropriate anatomical, pathological and diagnostic information.

8.        Demonstrates independent judgement skills to analyze sonograms, synthesize sonographic information and medical history, and communicate accurate assessments.

9.        Provide safe care for the psychological and physical needs of patients for Ultrasound procedures.

10.     Follow institutional practices of Infection Control.

II. List of Diagnostic medical sonographer qualifications

1.        American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) in good standing, is preferred or eligible to take the registration examination.

2.        Must have BLS Healthcare Provider.

3.        Additional multiple certification by ARDMS defined specialty areas preferred.

4.        Graduate of a ARDMS accredited educational program in ultrasonography preferred.

5.        Advanced cross-sectional anatomy, pathophysiology and its effect on normal anatomy; basic knowledge of Obstetrical, and/or vascular anatomy/physiology.

6.        Knowledge of electrical safety and infection control guidelines.

7.        Extensive experience in the acute care hospital setting performing sonographic categories of obstetrics, gynecology, abdominal, small parts, neurosonology, and/or vascular imaging is required.

8.        Requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgment and the ability to work unsupervised or with minimal supervision.

9.        Must be able to work in a rapidly changing and challenging environment and take appropriate actions in emergent situations.

10.     Must maintain competencies in two ARDMS defined specialty areas.

III. Tips to write job description

1. Too-long job description:

Looking at a too-long job description can frighten the candidates off and drive the away. A job description, no matter how important the job is, should not be included in more than 3 pages. If one focuses on too many things at a time, he shall definitely lose focus on the main items and get overwhelmed by the remaining; So, keep it concisely.

2. Too-short job description:

While too-long can be a problem, too-short is more a problem. It will ruin the meaning of the job description. A too-short one means it lacks necessary details and therefore, the candidate will not be able to understand while reading it.

3. Listing unnecessary functions or job duties:

Just classifying these into the “others” category will save you a lot of effort and space. On the other hand, the job description will become more dilute and easy to be neglected.

4. Key functions

Not listing key functions as required for the job can be a fatal mistake to a job description.

5. Grammar and spelling

Poor grammar and having spelling errors can ruin the job description, too. Never think that as you are the employer, you may have the right to make grammar or spelling errors while requires other not to. A job description with such errors is easily to be mistaken as a fake or ghost ads; as a result, the candidate will turn away from it.

6. Not specific enough:

Be specific and concise; if you don’t address the specific, then what the job description is for. It is for the candidate to understand just exactly what he needs to do or needs to have. Lacking details can confuse the candidates very well.

7. Not having the job description reviewed by others:

This is also a common mistake. One may be subject to bias, but more than one, especially with the help of those external advisor, the job description can be more perfect.

8. Using buzzwords or abbreviations:

In fact, it is not necessary at all to use such in a job description.

9. Using slang or legal words:

Just use common wording to communicate with others and don’t do anything extraordinarily.

10. Not updating the job description:

The same job may require different duties and responsibilities in different times, so, you cannot use the same job description for 2 different times.