Description

Overview
At a high level, the Veterinary Imaging Center of San Diego (VICSD) DVM sonographer job requires someone passionate about ultrasound, improving their ultrasound skills and interacting with DVMs on their cases on-site at local clinics. This is a much-needed service in San Diego which highlights the DVM sonographer as a key part of the RDVM’s team.

To ensure success for VICSD’s DVM sonographers, it is important to begin with several months of in-house ultrasound training followed by ongoing mobile support between the DVM sonographer and the VICSD in-house team. It is also crucially important that the DVM sonographers work together to ensure coverage and growth of the mobile service. Success of the mobile ultrasound service is heavily dependent on the front-line & customer-facing VICSD team providing best-in-class service, with our team leader being the DVM sonographer.

This DVM sonographer job description is meant to provide highlights and expectations of the job for both on-the-job ultrasound training and performing real-time ultrasounds.

This is a job description only and does NOT imply or constitute a job offer.
This job description is for information purposes only.
Additional specifics about the job will be provided in separate VICSD training and employment documents for hired applicants.

Position Summary

The DVM sonographer position is split into 2 phases, detailed below. Phase 1 is training, Phase 2 is working as a DVM sonographer. Phase 1 is approximately 6 months, Phase 2 is approximately 18 months.

As a sonographer in training, you will undergo several months of training in-house at VICSD. Ultrasound training will very much be a self-driven process. You will have the support of the VICSD team, and you will be required to take initiative on reading about cases, doing preliminary scanning, writing ultrasound reports and following up on cases. During the training period you will be paid a base salary only. (Specific job requirements are in the training document provided to those hired for the DVM sonographer position)

Phase 1 Training Schedule & Expectations

Four consecutive workdays weekly in-house for training periods 1 and 2.
Training period 3 will be spent both in-house and on the road performing mobile ultrasounds with a VICSD DVM Sonographer.
During the training period, the DVM sonographer will be required to read and understand the contents of the Mattoon/Nyland and/or Pennick/d’Anjou small animal ultrasound textbooks.
Reading published papers on articles pertaining to cases coming in-house or after a scan.
Phase 1 / First training period- Watching ultrasounds being performed and assisting with holding the animals, learn & understand client communication both in-house at VICSD and on mobile cases.

Phase 1 / Second training period- Performing preliminary ultrasound scans with an over scan by a VICSD radiologist:

Responsible for monitoring the ultrasound schedule and alerting the in-house radiologist as to schedule changes, proactively anticipating the day to make it go smoothly
Writing preliminary ultrasound reports for the scans performed which the radiologist will review and correct
Phase 1 / Third training period- Performing real-time scans under the supervision of a DVM sonographer and remote consultant.

At the end of the Phase 1 training period the DVM sonographer is expected to have a minimum acceptable knowledge base in the following:

Anatomy
Dog
Cat
Physiology
Pathophysiology
Systemic
Clinical
Hematology
Clinical chemistry
Histology
Small Animal Medicine
Radiology
Ultrasound knowledge
Ultrasound physics
Ultrasound anatomy
Ultrasound pathology
Cardiothoracic
Abdominal
Hands on ultrasound practical

Phase 2 DVM Sonographer Real-time Ultrasound Schedule & Expectations

As a full-time VICSD DVM sonographer, your work is crucial to helping the San Diego clinics by providing mobile ultrasounds in the county and occasionally providing in-house ultrasound coverage at VICSD. As a VICSD DVM sonographer, you will be paid a base salary plus production for scans performed and additional diagnostic tests such as coags or sampling.

(Specific job requirements are in the training document provided to those hired for the DVM sonographer position)

As a DVM sonographer completing Phase 2 training, you will:

Work closely with your support tech, VICSD remote scheduling support and DVM clinic staff to optimize your day
Be responsible for the “pre scanning” of patients prior to transmitting and discussing each case with the remote radiologist
Be responsible for discussing the results of the ultrasound examination and case with the overseeing DVM
Perform ultrasound guided diagnostic procedures at overseeing veterinarian clinics

Experience

Doctor, Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, licensed to practice in the United States 
Completion of a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery or 3 years of small animal private practice;
Passion for ultrasound and diagnostic imaging
Interest and initiative in learning and improving your ultrasound skills
Excellent skills with people and time management.
Physical Demands & Working Conditions

The real-time DVM sonographer position can be demanding. Here are some of the job requirements:

Must be able to travel in a car between clinics, help with moving equipment in and out of a car (approximately 40 lb. equipment case) and help with the restraint and imaging of animals
Pick up animals greater than 30lbs
Able to work closely and respectfully with VICSD and RDVM support staff
Be a self-starter
Comfortable working with varied DVM personalities
Able to present a case and findings concisely for remote specialists
Able to clearly and articulately communicate with colleagues and specialists about ultrasound findings, conclusions and recommendations                                Prior formal ultrasound training
Able to work with varying table heights for ultrasound scans
Comfortable with sedation protocols
Comfortable with performing fine needle aspirates (FNAs) and cystocentesis
Available to work at least 8 hours per day and 4 days per week
Must pass personal and driving background checks
Recommended, not required:
Ability to draw blood consistently for pre-FNA screening
Comfort and familiarity with basic computer and laptop troubleshooting

Salary Transparency

The range of our base salary cash compensation for this role is between $66,500-$110,000. All final offers are determined using multiple factors including experience and level of expertise.
Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

401(k)
Employee discount
Health insurance
Paid time off
Professional development assistance

Requirements

Doctor, Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, licensed to practice in the United States 
Completion of a rotating internship in small animal medicine and surgery or 3 years of small animal private practice;
Passion for ultrasound and diagnostic imaging
Interest and initiative in learning and improving your ultrasound skills
Excellent skills with people and time management.