Diagnostic Medical Sonographer - Echocardiography

Hours are 08-1630 Saturday - Wednesday with alternating weekend call.

SUMMARY:

Cardiac Sonographers/Echo utilizes high-frequency sound waves to perform non-invasive ultrasound procedures of the heart to assess the function as well as the structures of the heart in adult and geriatric patients. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Performs ultrasound procedures of the heart such as echocardiograms, stress echoes, dobutamine stress echoes on adult and geriatric patients and provides the cardiologist with preliminary report.

Notify physician of critical findings.  Assists cardiologist with Transesophageal Echocardiograms. 

Participates in the call rotation for the department as needed.  Performs echocardiograms at the bedside when necessary. 

Cleans the equipment and probe after each patient and disinfects the TEE probe after each procedure, making sure to adhere to safety, environmental and infection control policies and procedures as set forth by the hospital and the department.

Explains the procedure, answers patient questions and addresses their concerns.

Assists medical staff during special procedures.

Obtains patient history, answers patient questions, explains procedures and comforts patients.

Abstracts relevant information from the patients’ clinical record and obtains additional information if necessary; verifies prescription, diagnosis, patient identification and chart.

Maintains records of examination data and other pertinent information on patients.

Maintains sonographic and other equipment in efficient operating order; assists with preventative maintenance on a regularly scheduled basis.

Performs advanced tests with portable equipment in patients’ rooms when necessary.

Positions patients and operates equipment to produce the most reliable and informational data; observes patient for any unusual reactions or event.

Cleans instruments on fixed and movable equipment associated with surgical sonography activities.

Operates specialized equipment to calibrate and record test results; prepares room and equipment for patient; and instructs hospital personnel and students on examination procedures, evaluation of results, equipment maintenance and calibration, as well as anatomy and physiology pertaining to exam and principles utilized by equipment.

Assists in inventory control and ordering supplies.

Takes call responsibilities as needed in department.

Adheres to TMC organizational and department-specific safety, confidentiality, values policies and standards.

Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION:  Associate degree or equivalent from two-year college or a certification from a technical school providing a sonography program.

EXPERIENCE:  Preferred (2) years of full-time clinical experience specializing in adult echocardiography.

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION: Cardiac Sonographers are required to obtain RDCS through American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or RCS through Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) within twelve (12) months of hire.  AHA Basic life support required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

·         Knowledge of sonography best practices and procedures.

·         Skill in performing ultrasound techniques and examinations, and evaluating scans.

·         Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

·         Ability to complete routine reports and correspondence; ability to listen and accurately interpret others' communication or instructions to take appropriate action.

·         Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

·         Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

·         Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. 

·         Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.