The BB Imaging Clinical Technical Assistant

Sonographers have an essential job; our goal at BB Imaging is to give them the resources they need to provide the highest quality care. One valuable resource we provide is a Clinical Technical Assistant (TA), a position that is rare or nonexistent elsewhere in the imaging field.

The duties of a TA can differ from region to region. They may include filling out invoices, patient billing, ensuring sonographer and patient comfort, and stocking rooms before each appointment. The priority of a TA is to handle administrative tasks allowing the sonographer to keep their primary focus on patient care, scanning patients, and writing reports. TAs anticipate sonographer needs, which can alleviate stress and reduce sonographer burnout.  Often on the front line, the TA provides the first impression of BB Imaging and the clinic.  They can offer a calm, friendly face to help alleviate patient anxiety. 

TAs arrive at the clinic 30 minutes before the sonographer to clean and stock exam rooms, print the schedule, and triage the patients for the day. These tasks prepare the sonographer for the day’s expectations. As soon as the room is ready and stocked with necessary supplies, the TA records the patient’s information allowing the sonographer to begin scanning right away. Having the help of a TA also cuts down on time between appointments and makeup time if an exam is taking longer than anticipated. Once the patient and sonographer have begun the exam, the TA starts cleaning the vital stations outside the room and prepping for the next appointment. 

After the last appointment of each day, TAs assist with billing by submitting invoices for each patient. They often become code experts who can quickly enter proper insurance and billing information. This service drastically cuts down on the time sonographers need to write reports and creates an efficient workflow. TAs then prepare for the next day by reviewing the schedule. They record all the necessary information about patients. This enhanced workflow cuts down on the time a sonographer spends reviewing the patient’s history.

The TA position is vital to the healthcare ecosystem and often serves as an effective means to acquire industry experience. Technical Assistants will gain first-hand knowledge about imaging and administration, which is valuable for developing careers in the medical field.

Unlike most of the ultrasound industry, BB imaging views TA support as a necessity in sonography clinics.  They allow our sonographers to keep their focus where it should be – on patient health. We strive to provide the best experience for our patients and our team. The role of the TA is vital for both.