Cardiac Sonographer - Cabarrus/University Echocardiography

Advocate Health; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health seeks an experienced echocardiography technologist to perform routine and emergency echocardiograms across multiple departments. You will record quality information, explain procedures to patients, and prepare preliminary reports for Cardiologist review.

The role requires maintaining equipment, adhering to protocols, and providing on-call coverage including weekends and holidays, with opportunities for teaching and collaboration within the Echo Lab.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED is required.
• Valid sonography credentials (ARRT(S), RDMS, RDCS) within one year of hire.
• CPR (BLS) certification required.
• Registration in appropriate cardiology specialties within one year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates proficiency by performing routine and emergency echocardiograms according to protocols.
• Records quality information while performing echocardiographic imaging and following guidelines.
• Explains procedures and possible side effects to patients.
• Provides echocardiography service at all necessary locations and on-call as scheduled.
• Operates equipment and maintains calibration; uses transducers, digital networking, and off-line analysis systems.
• Maintains equipment in working order and reports malfunctions.
• Performs routine cleaning and preventive maintenance.
• Analyzes patient records to obtain history for diagnostic procedures.
• Prepares preliminary reports for review by Cardiologist.
• Participates in quality improvement; evaluates results for quality and accuracy.
• Reviews department performance and implements changes to improve outcomes.
• Maintains patient confidentiality.
• Instructs students, fellows, nurses, or health personnel as requested.
• Communicates technical and patient-care information per established processes.

Skills

Communication skills

Multitasking

Organizational skills

Ability to work under stress

Judgment and decision-making

Team collaboration

Education

Associate's degree preferred

High school diploma or GED required

Cardiac ultrasound training program preferred

Tools

ARRT(S)/RDMS/RDCS credentials

Job description

Major Responsibilities

• Demonstrates proficiency by performing routine and emergency echocardiograms, including but not limited to 2-dimensional, 3- dimensional, Doppler, Transesophageal, and Stress Echocardiogram, as requested by physician and in accordance with established protocols.


• Records quality information while performing echocardiographic imaging and following procedural guidelines and protocols


• Explains procedures and possible side effects to the patient or family members.


• Provides echocardiography service at all necessary locations, portables, working variable shifts, weekends, and providing emergent call coverage as scheduled.


• Operates equipment necessary to perform all required procedures and to obtain optimal diagnostic recording; utilize ancillary devices such as selected transducers, digital networking system, and off-line analysis systems.


• Maintain equipment in working order, making minor adjustments and repairs.


• Performs routine cleaning, preventive maintenance, and report any equipment malfunction to echo lab manager.


• Analyze patient's medical record to obtain history of symptoms and necessary information for performance of diagnostic procedures.


• Prepares preliminary reports for review and interpretation by Cardiologist.


• Participate in quality improvement activities; evaluate procedure results for technical quality and accuracy; maintain appropriate logs, files, and records.


• Review department performance in relation to established goals, implementing changes to affect outcomes.


• Maintain confidentiality of patients, employees and corporation-related activities.


• Instruct students, fellows, nurses, or health personnel as requested.


• Communicates technical and patient care related information according to established processes and timelines.


• Attends Echo Lab Meetings, participates in Echo related conferences through attendance, ensuring continuing education and professional growth.


• Works weekends, holidays and on-call, as needed


• Cultivates a collaborative and cooperative work environment within department.


• Level 4 Cardiac Sonographers have the additional following expectations:
  
  
  
  • Participates in dedicated research protocols, as needed.
  
  
  • Performs portable and lab echocardiograms in an inpatient setting on weekends, holidays, and on an on-call basis (Level 4 cardiac sonographers must work in inpatient setting to qualify.)
  
  
  • Acts as a resource in the absence of the leadership team to provide coverage.
  
  
  • Actively participates in educational opportunities both internally and externally.
  
  
  • Is a role model for other cardiac sonographers.
  
  
  • Has the ability to troubleshoot Cardiac Ultrasound equipment issues and follows through until corrected.
  
  
  
  


• Troubleshoots issues with EMR and Cardiac PAC system.

Education

High school diploma or GED required.

Certification / License

• Valid Sonography credential registration (ARRT(S), RDMS, RDCS) through American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and/or American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS).

• Must be registered in appropriate cardiology specialties within one year of hire.

• Completion of CPR Course – BLS Certification Required.

Work Experience

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with physicians, staff, and other Medical Center personnel regarding patient care


• Ability to communicate with patients of varying age groups


• Ability to teach and provide instruction and assess quality of other sonographers' work


• Strong organizational skills


• Ability to maintain a positive, effective working relationship with staff and leadership


• Ability to work in a stressful environment and maintain self-control


• Ability to use sound judgment in decision-making


• Ability to multitask and prioritize


• Possible exposure to infectious and contagious diseases


• Potential exposure to risk of blood borne diseases


• Occasional exposure to unpleasant patient or unit elements


• Contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances


• Subject to varying and unpredictable situations


• Exposure to housekeeping/cleaning agents and chemicals


• Pressure due to multiple calls and inquires


• Subject to many interruptions

Preferred Job Requirement s

Education

• Associate's degree preferred.


• Completion of a cardiac ultrasound training program preferred.

Certification / License

ACS and/or RCS through Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) preferred.

Experience

One year experience with patients preferred.