Echocardiography Sonographer

$20,000 sign-on bonus.

SUMMARY:

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

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

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's degree or equivalent from two-year college or technical school providing a sonography programor two (2) years of experience performing echocardiograms under the direction of a registered sonographer. 

EXPERIENCE:  Six months to one year of diagnostic medical sonography experience preferably in an acute care setting.  Prefer two (2) years of experience doing echocardiograms in an acute care setting.

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION: Cardiac Sonographers are required to obtain ARDMS or Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) within twelve (12) months of hire.  Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification required for General Ultrasound Sonographers and Vascular and Cardiac Sonographers upon hire.    

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.