Workload and scheduling. As well as these items the role of the Sonographer is of equal importance & their responsibility for managing their own well being. The Sonographer On starting work for a DHB in the Ultrasound department, all sonographers should have a base line assessment of their physical wellbeing. This assessment should include an assessment of existing or potential MSI. Questions relating to this will be included in the occupation and health questionnaire. Within two weeks of starting work as a sonographer, an education sessions should be held with a nominated DHB physiotherapist which educates the sonographer on the such topics as setting up the workplace correctly to their individual requirements and minimizing the risk of MSI. Sonographers need to think posture all the time. They need to avoid bending, twisting, reaching, lifting, sustained pressure, arm abduction and awkward postures. This is difficult but alternating sitting and standing may assist with this as well as varying scanning techniques and transducer grip. Sonographers must: • Take time to adjust all equipment to suit optimal posture and ensure accessories are on hand before beginning to scan. • Get the patient to move as close to them as possible. • Lower the couch to reduce arm abduction. This also allows gravity to assist when applying pressure with the transducer and allows for a more comfortable transducer grip. If the arm is abducted, support it either by a cushion or rest on the patient. • Rest then stretch their hand and wrist during procedures to relax stressed muscles. • Refocus eyes onto distant objects every few minutes to reduce eye fatigue. • Avoid where possible performing successive similar ergonomically difficult examinations. • Take short regular breaks from scanning. • Stretch before commencing work, during, and in between examinations and at the end of the day. • Ensure that meal breaks are taken, to completely relax. • Report and document any pain and discomfort to employers via an Incident report Sonographers should: • Seek competent medical advice if they suffer any pain or discomfort. Musculoskeletal injuries caused by the repetitive task of scanning are often not apparent until the end of the day, or at night. These injuries often take a long time to manifest and a long time to resolve, if ever. The severity of an acute injury may be exacerbated by an existing chronic musculoskeletal injury. • Undertake a stretching, strengthening and aerobic exercise program. • Exercise approp...
Workload and scheduling. 1a. Definition Wentworth’s day academic program classes shall operate between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Faculty will work a nine (9)-hour window during the times classes operate. Faculty teaching assignments shall be developed by the Xxxx and/or Associate Xxxx after consultation with faculty members. The Xxxx and Registrar will avoid scheduling extensive non-teaching hours between scheduled classes. Scheduling preferences including courses, lab, and class times shall be submitted to the Xxxx and will be considered in determining faculty schedules. If a course or class time request cannot be accommodated, the Xxxx shall explain in writing within 5 business days of the request the reason for the request not being accommodated. A faculty member who has not elected to take on an overload shall not be scheduled to teach 5 days per week for three consecutive semesters excluding summer, unless they so desire. A tentative class schedule will be made available to faculty at least two weeks prior to its publication in order to allow time for consideration of changes requested by the faculty. Faculty will receive tentative Fall assignments before Spring graduation and Spring assignments before the first day of Fall semester final exams. 1b. Faculty Responsibilities A faculty member is expected to be productive both at the individual and institutional levels. A faculty member’s primary responsibilities are to (1) teach and counsel students in academic affairs, (2) engage in scholarly and/or creative activities, and (3) engage in service activities. Faculty are also expected to engage in professional development activities that are both appropriate to and supportive of these three broad responsibilities. Faculty shall maintain high standards of integrity and conduct in their profession with faculty, administration, staff, students and when representing Wentworth, following the standards established by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education, (New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)): Standards for Accreditation: Integrity.
