Cardiac Sonographer

MISSION, VALUES and SERVICE GOALS

• MISSION: We deliver outstanding care, inspire health, and connect with heart.
• VALUES: Trust. Respect. Integrity. Compassion.
• SERVICE GOALS: Personally connect. Keep everyone informed. Be on their team.

Performs cardiac ultrasound, 2-D, 3-D, M-Mode and color doppler by:

• Preparing the patient for test, explaining the purpose and procedure in-depth.
• Preparing ultrasound equipment for use.
• Performing and recording accurate imagery and calculations, and quantification of ultrasound data.
• Providing initial preliminary findings in writing and assisting the cardiologist to interpret, as requested.
• Transporting equipment to patient's bedside for all Hospital patients.

Supports the efforts of the management team by:

• Assisting with the scheduling of all diagnostic echo testing and coordination of the echo lab and physician schedules.
• Using knowledge of cardiac diseases in judgment of cardiac emergency needs when performing cardiac studies and notifying physicians of emergency situations.
• Responding to emergency calls and taking on-call assignment as requested by the Coordinator.
• Maintaining working relationship with reading cardiologist and cardiology team members by maintaining knowledge of individual cardiologist requirements.
• Maintaining current schedules of physicians on call for reading, daily, and team members on call.

Maintains clean equipment and clean environment in the Echo Lab by:

• Cleaning and maintaining the ultrasound equipment, as well as logging all cleanings.
• Identifying and resolving equipment problems and malfunctioning equipment; notifying Coordinator of equipment failure.
• Ordering and maintaining adequate levels of supplies, per Coordinator, by using appropriate ordering system within the Hospital.
• Maintaining a manual log of echo patient statistics and patient index card files.

Helps accomplish department functions by:

• Demonstrating a willingness to vary hours to cover team members absences as requested by Coordinator.
• Maintaining current registry in cardiology.
• Assisting with clerical duties.
• Participating in the planning and organizing of in-service programs for the Echo Lab and other Cardiology services.

Performs other functions to maintain personal competence and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the department by:

• Completing other job-related duties and projects as assigned.

ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Associate complies with the following organizational requirements:

• Attends and participates in department meetings and is accountable for all information shared.
• Completes mandatory education, annual competencies and department specific education within established timeframes.
• Completes annual employee health requirements within established timeframes.
• Maintains license/certification, registration in good standing throughout fiscal year.
• Direct patient care providers are required to maintain current BCLS (CPR) and other certifications as required by position/department.
• Consistently utilizes appropriate universal precautions, protective equipment, and ergonomic techniques to protect patient and self.
• Adheres to regulatory agency requirements, survey process and compliance.
• Complies with established organization and department policies.
• Available to work overtime in addition to working additional or other shifts and schedules when required.

• Leverage innovation everywhere.
• Cultivate human talent.
• Embrace performance improvement.
• Build greatness through accountability.
• Use information to improve and advance.
• Communicate clearly and continuously.

The knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated below are normally acquired through successful completion of a high school diploma, continuing education in the form of college level courses and/or specialized technical training in cardiac ultrasound. Credentialing as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) in adult and/or pediatric through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or as a Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) through Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) with an active status is required. Registry eligible candidates may also be considered, however, completion of required credentialing must be completed within 2 years of employment. Basic EKG skills and knowledge of related cardiac testing is preferred.

Knowledge & Skills

• Demonstrates a thorough and complete knowledge of cardiac ultrasound equipment, as well as skills in troubleshooting.
• Requires knowledge of cardiac and pediatric anatomy, associated adult cardiac and congenital heart diseases and associated abnormalities, and complete knowledge of cardiology and echo operations, including current EKG and stress testing interpretation procedures.
• Requires skill in cardiac ultrasound analysis and quantification of cardiac ultrasound studies.
• Demonstrates good decision making skills to evaluate patient heart status to fully evaluate specific cardiac problems and solve daily scheduling concerns as they arise.
• Demonstrates interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with physicians and team members, as well as excellent guest relations skills with patients and their families.
• Requires good vision and color vision to assess color doppler, as well as excellent hearing skills to assess individual cardiac doppler sounds.
• Requires good manual dexterity to manipulate ultrasound probe to provide optimal images.

Working Conditions

• Works in a patient care environment.
• Hours may vary to cover team members absences or as requested by Coordinator.

Physical Demands

• Requires the physical ability and stamina (i.e. to walk/stand for prolonged periods of time, transport heavy equipment up to and from the patient's bedside, push carts/wheelchairs up to 50 pounds, to position/lift patients at a maximum of 35 pounds unassisted, over 35 pounds requires assistance, provide CPR, etc.) to perform the essential functions of the position.

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