PRN Echo Tech (Cardiac Sonographer)

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Work Shift

Various (United States of America)

Job Summary

• The PRN Echo Tech (Cardiac Sonographer) functions under the direction of the Manager or Lead/Chief Sonographer and is responsible for performing all cardiac imaging; which includes, if performed at your designated facility, adult, pediatric, transesophageal (including structural heart) and stress echocardiograms.

• Performs measurements and calculations according to laboratory protocol, provides an oral summary of preliminary findings to the interpreting Physician, if requested, is responsible for the safety and well-being of all patients in the Echo department, must possess the ability to communicate effectively with the patient(s) and health care team.

• The Cardiac Sonographer may also be asked to inject/administer Ultrasound Enhancing Agents (UEA) as well as saline bubble studies.

• Performs other work-related duties as assigned.

• Must be available to take call, work weekends and Holidays on a rotating basis.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions

Patient Care

• Verifies proper clinician order for procedure.

• Obtains complete clinical history, gathers examination data and assesses for contraindicating conditions.

• Follows established procedures for the administration of UEAs, so that no patient condition deteriorates, and no patient suffers undue pain, due to error or poor technique.

• Ensures that all studies have proper patient identification.

• Reviews ultrasound images for clinically acceptable results and releases patients.

• Assists other team members in all modalities when needed.

• Observes patient condition and properly evaluates situations when physician intervention is necessary so that no patient condition deteriorates.

• Verifies correct identity of patient using 2 unique identifiers prior to performing a procedure per hospital policy and procedure.

• Ensures patient's privacy and comfort is accommodated. Maintains patients dignity throughout the exam/procedure.

• Demonstrates competence in the determination and application of appropriate procedures, equipment, supplies and techniques based on the age of patients.

• Organizes schedule, time and priorities so that required activities are accomplished within designated time frames.

• Follows physicians instructions when assisting with procedures and exams.

• Uses critical thinking skills.

• Dialogs with patient/family.

• Asks clarifying questions.

• Seeks clarification on ambiguous orders.

• Understands, demonstrates and documents preprocedural verification and Time Out process when appropriate.

• Demonstrates and understands pre-and-post procedural care.

• Preps the patient for the procedure.

Education and Communication

• Patiently and clearly explains purpose and nature of exam to patient prior to starting procedure, so as to minimize anxiety and facilitate cooperation using AIDET; Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explain, and Thank you of all patients and family members.

• Ensures that patient's questions, concerns or contraindications are satisfactorily addressed, notifying physician when this cannot be accomplished, prior to the initiation of the procedure.

• Participates in the orientation and training of departmental employees.

• Provides patients with preparatory instruction and explanation of procedures.

• Required documentation is concise, legible and includes precise terminology.

• Reads email each day scheduled to work and follows through with assignment.

• Completes mandatory departmental and Hospital-wide education without prompting.

Quality Control

• Ensures that equipment is fully operational prior to each use, by checking for proper calibration and operating deficiencies.

• Sends all studies to PACS immediately after completion, prints CDs as needed.

• Follows infection control policies.

Operations

• Restocks linens and supplies, and maintains the department in clean and orderly condition.

• Transports patients, positions patients, and helps them on and off procedure table.

• Performs patient charging activities on the day the service is rendered.

• Willingly lends knowledge and assistance to others upon request as needed and routinely as time is available, without prompting, so that all working time is used for departmental advantage.

• Performs routine duties of clerical and support personnel in accordance with procedure when warranted to ensure continuity and quality of services.

• Keeps supervisor informed on all responsibilities on an ongoing basis, ensuring prompt notification in the event of problems or potential problems.

• Maintains an individual productivity rate equal to other co-workers.

• Ability to operate all work stations associated with the US department.

• Ability to push / retrieve images from the Ultrasound console to PACS.

• Maintain Joint Commission standards and any other regulatory agency standards.

• Takes call when necessary.

• Any other duties as assigned.

Equipment

• Reports problems regarding malfunctioning equipment to supervisor or service provider, so that problem can be corrected in a timely manner.

• Cleans, disinfects and maintains equipment in accordance with infection control policy and department cleaning schedule.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Complies with all Wellstar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Required Minimum Education

• High School Diploma General or GED General

• Trade School Diploma/Degree Diagnostic Medical Sonography - Preferred

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s)

• All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated.

• ARDMS - Registered Medical Sonographer or RCS - Reg Cardiac Sonographer - CCI or RDCS - Reg Diag Cardiac Sonographer or RDCS-AE - Reg Diag Card Sono Adult Echo

• BLS - Basic Life Support or ARC-BLS - Amer Red Cross Basic Life Support or BLS-I - Basic Life Support - Instructor

Additional License(s) and Certification(s)

Required Minimum Experience

• Minimum 1 year experience in echocardiography Preferred or

• Graduate of a formal Diagnostic Medical Sonography program Preferred or

• Graduate of an accredited Cardiovascular Technology program Preferred