State of Washington Classified Job Specification
DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL SONOGRAPHER SPECIALIST
Definition
Perform highly complex non-invasive and invasive diagnostic ultrasound and/or physiologic examinations and assessments on adult, adolescent, geriatric, infant and neonate patients referred for diagnosis to determine the nature and degree of the patient’s disease; conduct special population studies including transplant studies (liver, kidney and pancreas using two-dimensional, color flow and spectral analysis) and high risk OB and neonate studies using fetal ultrasonography and fetal echocardiography to produce and evaluate fetal cardiac anatomy and blood flow dynamics on pregnant patients to determine the nature and degree of congenital fetal cardiac disease. Integrate clinical information with ultrasound information and related data to tailor the examination and provide accurate diagnostic information used to render a formal, final medical diagnosis. Provide written/oral reports of findings to attending physicians and clinical staff.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Under general direction, perform and analyze comprehensive diagnostic ultrasound examinations for an expanded patient caseload including patients with complex presentations which require specialized ultrasound examinations. Perform Doppler and spectral analysis of solid organs and transplants in clinical areas such as high risk obstetrics and gynecology, liver, kidney, and pancreas transplants, shunt evaluations, and premature neonates. Provide needle guidance for tissue biopsy and/or fluid aspiration, intrauterine fetal blood sampling, fetal blood transfusions, and fetal platelet transfusions. Perform and analyze comprehensive fetal cardiac ultrasound examinations to define complex congenital heart disease. Perform hysterosonograms and examinations in high risk obstetrical, liver, kidney and pancreas transplants as well as neurosonology and abdominal imaging of premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit, labor and delivery, specialty care clinics, trauma center, and/or recovery room.
Typical Work
Perform clinical non-invasive diagnostic ultrasound examinations of high risk pregnant patients; monitor fetal condition during examination; notify appropriate clinical staff if emergency exists;
Exercise ultrasound proficiencies in fetal echocardiography using 2-dimensional, m-mode, and color Doppler, and spectral analysis techniques and develop reports for physician review and signature;
Direct the work of staff in all specialty areas;
Develop protocols for specialty service; ensure standards and protocols are met for services provided;
Develop and present in-services to staff and students in specialty area;
Evaluate post trauma fetal evaluations in trauma setting;
Provide independent ultrasound guidance for biopsies and fluid aspirations for the liver, kidney, and pancreas to include transplant/native renal and liver biopsies; thoracenteses, paracenteses, abscess drainage, evacuation of complicated pregnancies in the operating room, placement of uterine radiation rods for gynecological therapy, fetal umbilical cord sampling, genetic amniocenteses, fetal blood transfusions, chorionic villus sampling, and fine needle aspirates of various superficial soft tissues;
Provide immediate post operative liver, kidney, and pancreas transplant analysis of vascular integrity;
Evaluate pre- and post-shunt liver vascular flows;
Perform the work of Diagnostic Medical Sonographer;
Perform related duties as required.
Legal Requirement(s)
There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.
Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.
Desirable Qualifications
Completion of diagnostic ultrasound program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
AND
registered in abdominal and obstetrical ultrasound by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS);
AND
Two years of experience performing the work of a diagnostic medical sonographer
Equivalent education/experience.
Class Specification History
Revised new class code: (formerly 6348) effective July 1, 2007
Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.