How do you act to remain professional as an intern in order to have a successful internship? There are so many things that you can do every single day that will impress your clinical instructor (CI) and radiologists that you work with. Let’s discuss.
Arrive 15 Min Early
In today’s world many people for some reason show up late to class and late to work. When you enter the ultrasound field, this is incredibly unacceptable. This will definitely get you fired in the long run.
We can’t be late because our ultrasound team and our patients rely on us every single day. Arriving 15 minutes early allows you time to get dressed into scrubs (if you work at a hospital), turn on and sign into your computer, get the schedule ready for the day, and a moment to become mentally or physically ready to start work. This is a great time to stretch!
Restock Linen and Supplies
As an intern it is very important to take the initiative to restock linen in all the US rooms either throughout the day or at the very end of the day before going home. Also, when doing that make sure that the gel is restocked, including other supplies such as transvaginal transducer covers, Trophon stickers, ect.
It also doesn’t hurt to restock the procedure cart once a week as well to make sure that we are always ready for whatever procedure comes our way.
Some students have an issue with doing this for some reason. However, restocking is an easy way to say “thank you” to the team of sonographers that are teaching you and helping you reach your goal of graduating and starting a career.
Students that don’t restock… just know that it is very frowned upon by the ultrasound department. You should be helping out.
Wear the Appropriate Attire
Listen, I understand that we all want to wear what we want to wear. However, you are working in a professional setting. Therefore, you may not get to wear what your heart desires.
Some clinics and hospitals do have a dress code where we all wear the same color and same brand of scrubs. Some places don’t care. Some place even wear lab coats. Make sure that you are asking your CI what the dress code policy is before beginning your clinicals!
Other things to keep in mind:
- Make sure to be wearing CLEAN scrubs
- Make sure that the scrubs are not too TIGHT or too LOOSE (either is not best)
- Don’t make risky decisions when purchasing your scrubs (with fit or pattern) – you know what I mean.
- Ask about the tattoo, piercing, and hair color policy. Some places are very strict and require covering up tattoos, only allowing 2 piercings in each ear, and only “natural colored” hair. Where other places don’t have a policy about your general appearance.
- Wear closed toed shoes – open toed is not allowed (especially in the hospital setting)
- Jackets – scrub jackets are always ok. Other jackets… just check the policy.
Proper Communication
This is important to have with your CI, radiologists, and patients. We chat with so many people throughout the day that it is easy to get sloppy with the way we talk.
I know this sounds as a no-brainer, but always communicate clearly and respectfully while in the workplace.
When speaking with patients, make sure to introduce yourself as the intern, explain exactly the exam you are doing and how you are performing it, and at the end remember to explain to the patient how they will be getting their results. It is also very important to ask permission to scan the patient because you are learning. And to let them know that your CI will be in to back scan once you are completed with the exam.
Provide Patient Comfort and Dignity
I always ask if the patient is comfortable or doing ok during the exam. I don’t want my patient to suffer through something because they are in sever pain. I learned to do this as an intern when scanning multiple abdomen patients.
As you know we must decub the patient when evaluating the gallbladder. It turns out that 3 patients I did that week had left shoulder surgery just recently. Because of that we could not decub the patient to the left. This is why it doesn’t hurt to check in with our patients.
Always think about patient dignity. Whenever scanning a pelvis or scrotum, close the door AND pull the curtain. This provides a 2nd barrier just in case someone just happens to walk in. (It does happen on accident from time to time. I’ve had other patients – not mine – get lost in the halls and just start opening random doors. My exam room just happened to be one of them. Therefore, always have 2 barriers for sensitive exams.)
Cover up the patient as much as possible. Only expose the part of the body that we actually need. This is important for pelvic, breast, and scrotum exams. No need to leave the patient’s business hanging out for everyone to see.
Be Punctual
Punctuality is so important as a sonographer and as a student! Please don’t be late! It is not cute nor is it funny. Your team and patients rely on you to show up on time and get through the patient worklist.
In healthcare, my biggest pet peeve is not getting my patients on time! Let me put it this way, when you are a patient would you like to be called back on time for your appointment or would you rather be taken late? Exactly.
That's A Wrap
If you can follow these 6 things you are going to set yourself up for success. I know scanning is a huge learning curve while in clinicals, but if you can implement these 6 things, you will show your CI just how impressive and driven to learn you are.
Good luck!
