Medical Sonography Technical Standards

• Utilize sonographic concepts as a basis for determining patient acuity and/or cognitive ability in order to achieve the best possible images.
• Apply sonographic knowledge and skills taught in the lab and classroom to the clinical setting.
• Understand anatomy and associated pathology when performing sonography procedures.
• Correctly operate sonographic consoles and make necessary optimization techniques as needed for the performance of exams.
• Read and correctly carry out written instructions given on requisitions, treatment charts, notes, and other records.
• Follow the correct procedures in case of an emergency in the scanning area (contrast reaction, fire emergency, code blue, etc.)
• Monitor and evaluate patients' vital signs, including taking temperatures and reading standard thermometers, taking blood pressure, and monitoring respiration and pulse rate.
• Ability to remember, recall, and comprehend a large amount of information.
• Evaluate sonography images for technical quality, including visual perception of contrast, evidence of motion, and evaluation of minute structural details for evidence of blur

• Establish rapport with patients, instructors, and colleagues.
• Conduct oneself in a composed, respectful manner in all situations and with all persons.
• Demonstrate skills to remain calm and professional in an emergency/stressful situation.
• Adapt rapidly to a changing environment/stress.

• Give verbal directions to or follow verbal directions from other members of the healthcare team and participate in healthcare team discussions of patient care.
• Elicit and record information about health history and current health state from patients or family members.
• Recognize and report critical patient information to other caregivers.
• Communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, with the patient, the patient’s family, clinical personnel, and others to obtain or disseminate information relevant to coursework, patient care, and work duties.
• Give verbal directions to or follow verbal directions from other members of the healthcare team and participate in healthcare team discussions of patient care.
• Elicit and record information about health history and current health state from patients or family members.
• Recognize and report critical patient information to other caregivers.

• Demonstrate skills to remain calm and professional in an emergency/stressful situation.
• Adapt rapidly to changing environment/stress.

Physical abilities are sufficient to move in one’s environment with ease and without restriction.

Gross and fine motor abilities are sufficient to provide safe and effective skills.

• Possess physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces; a full range of motion to twist/bend, stoop/squat, and reach forward/reach overhead; and stand and walk for extended periods of time.
• Possess physical abilities to lift 75 lbs. while performing the following activities frequently – carrying, pushing, and pulling from cart height, pushing and pulling from shoulder height.
• Possess physical abilities to lift 75 lbs. while occasionally lifting from static knuckle height, bench height, ankle height, and shoulder height.
• Possess the physical ability to wear a leaded apron.
• Assist in turning and lifting patients.
• Possess gross and fine motor skills sufficient to provide safe and effective care, position patients, and manipulate equipment.
• Possess the physical ability to move fingers and manipulate objects rapidly and quickly.
• Have full use of hands, wrists, and shoulders, and work standing 90% of the time.
• Safely move standard wheelchairs and stretchers with patients from emergency or waiting areas to examining rooms and safely assist mobile patients from the stretcher or wheelchair to the examining table and back, without assistance.
• Safely move immobile patients from the stretcher to the examining table and back with assistance from department personnel.
• Demonstrate fine motor coordination/dexterity to be able to grasp, handle, hold, cut, push, pull, and feel.

• Hear sounds within the audible range
• Hear internal body sounds (auscultation, Doppler).
• Hear auditory alarms (monitors, fire alarms, call bells).
• Monitor equipment and background sounds during equipment operation and report unusual or abnormal sounds to the appropriate person
• Understand and correctly carry out oral instructions given by instructors and clinical personnel.

• Possess the ability to observe patient status, behaviors, and changes in skin color.
• Possess the ability to read digital medical records and equipment settings.
• Possess the ability to see close up and far away.
• Possess the ability to differentiate shades of grey.
• Possess the ability to work in dimly lit rooms.
• Read various sizes of print located on equipment and computers.
• Visually monitor patient for retention of correct position, correct breathing motion or evidence of physical and emotional distress during the performance of sonography procedures, including in dimly lit environments and from across a room. Requirements for visual acuity are correctable vision to 20/40 in both eyes.

• Performs palpation of anatomical landmarks during patient positioning, as well as vessels for contrast injections.
• Utilizes touch-screens and computer keyboards for data input.

• Adapts to a variety of clinical settings and equipment. Works in small areas that may be crowded and/or noisy.
• Practices Standard Precautions and sterile techniques. May be exposed to communicable diseases, body fluids, toxic substances, and/or medicinal preparations.
• Adjusts to working in extreme temperatures, dependent on the procedure or patient condition.

• Follow the rules of professional conduct outlined in the handbook.
• Demonstrate intellectual curiosity, enthusiasm, and initiative.
• Perform exams with accuracy and maintain organization under stressful circumstances, such as increased workload, difficult patients, instrument malfunction, emergency situations, etc.
• Demonstrate emotional stability and mental alertness in day-to-day interactions with patients, visitors, staff, and peers in high-stress situations that occur in the imaging environment.
• Demonstrate emotional intelligence to remain calm and professional in an emergent and stressful atmosphere.
• Deliver adequate patient care regardless of the patient’s race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or diagnosis.
• Demonstrate a positive, respectful attitude toward all patients, peers, and other healthcare workers, regardless of appearance, condition, or beliefs.
• Appreciate constructive feedback.
• Present self in a composed, respectful manner in all situations and with all persons.
• Adapt to changes in a work environment.
• Demonstrate ethical behaviors as set forth by the SDMS.
• Demonstrate ethical behaviors as set forth by the ultrasound societies and ARDMS.
• Take responsibility for one's actions.