Cardiac Sonographer - Echo

Advocate Health Care; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health Care seeks a Cardiac Sonographer to perform advanced echocardiography including M-mode, 2-D, Doppler, and transesophageal studies. You will prepare patients, collect history, and assist in labs while ensuring quality and ICAEL standards.

Requires RDCS or equivalent and BLS within 6 months. Two years of cardiovascular sonography experience and advanced knowledge of anatomy and function are preferred.

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge and ability to learn and apply complex sonographic principles and techniques.
• Advanced knowledge of cardiovascular sonography procedures including transesophageal and congenital.
• Excellent interpersonal and patient service skills.

Responsibilities

• Performs advanced cardiac ultrasound procedures (M-mode, 2-D, Doppler, Color Flow) and measurements for interpretation.
• Identifies cardiac abnormalities and correlates results with anatomy and function.
• Prepares patients, obtains history, and adapts imaging techniques for diagnostic echocardiograms.
• Assists in transesophageal studies and sterilizes probes.
• Maintains lab equipment, records statistics, and ensures quality processes.

Skills

Advanced sonography knowledge

Transesophageal procedures

Interpersonal skills

Computer skills

Education

Advanced Sonography program

Job description

Major Responsibilities

• Performs advanced cardiac ultrasound procedures such as M-mode, 2-D, Doppler and Color Flow Doppler utilizing a variety of equipment and techniques and makes the necessary measurements required for the interpretation to obtain accurate, high quality results (for example, muscle wall thickness, diameter of chambers, volume of chambers, valve areas, blood flow velocity and direction). May assist physicians in the Catheterization and Electrophysiology Labs by performing echocardiograph studies to aid them in proceeding with complex procedures to decrease risk factors.
• Identifies and defines cardiac abnormalities and extends the scope of the examination appropriately, deviating from standard techniques when necessary and correlating invasive and noninvasive cardiac diagnostic test results with cardiac anatomy and function.
• Prepares patients for procedures and obtains clinical history from the patient including cardiac related physical findings and pertinent laboratory data in order to adapt the imaging techniques to obtain comprehensive and diagnostic echocardiograms to alleviate the probability of erroneous clinical interpretation of the echocardiogram.
• Assists in performing transesophageal studies with cardiologist, calculating appropriate measurements and sterilizes probe.
• Communicates clinical findings to the appropriate staff.
• Records statistics and performs daily maintenance of the Echocardiography Lab and its equipment, reporting all malfunctions as appropriate.
• Acts as a resource to other staff, physicians and students regarding equipment, techniques, procedures and studies to optimize patient care.
• In conjunction with supervisor, implements protocols as new technology evolves, and ensures system echocardiography standards are implemented and adhered to.
• Works closely with medical director to develop and ensure quality processes and protocols are adhered to; works with physicians to perform quarterly reviews, and assists with ICAEL accreditation ensuring all policies, quality processes, reporting, etc. meet standards.
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development over the life span and possess the ability to assess data reflective of the patient's status and interpret the appropriate information needed to identify each patient's requirements relative to his/her age-specific needs, and to provide the care needed as described in the department's policies and procedures. Age-specific information is developed further in the departmental job standards.

Licensure, Registration, And/or Certification Required

• Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS-AE) registration with Adult Echo issued by the ARDMS, or
• Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) registration issued by the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI), and
• Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification issued by the American Heart Association (AHA) needs to be obtained within 6 months unless department leader has determined it is not required.

Education Required

• Advanced training beyond High School that includes the completion of an accredited or approved program in Sonography.

Experience Required

• Typically requires 2 years of experience in cardiovascular sonography which includes experience in digital quantification.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

• Advanced knowledge and ability to learn and apply complex sonographic principles, instrumentation and techniques, and new computer techniques for the capture, display and analysis of echocardiograph data.
• Advanced knowledge and proficiency in cardiovascular sonography procedures such as transesophageal and congenital.
• Advanced knowledge of cardiac anatomy and physiology.
• Excellent interpersonal and patient service skills.
• Intermediate computer skills.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job.
• Must be able to sit 50% and stand and walk 20% of the workday.
• Must be able to:
• Lift up to 50 lbs. from floor to waist.
• Lift up to 20 lbs. over the head.
• Carry up to 40 lbs. a reasonable distance.
• Must be able to:
• push/pull with 30 lbs. of force.
• Perform a sliding transfer of 150 lbs. with a second person present.
• Must be able to frequently push or pull over 100 lbs.
• Able to use hands and feet to operate equipment.
• Functional speech, vision and hearing.
• Will be required to wear protective clothing (i.e., lead aprons, isolation gowns, protective eyewear, etc.) as needed.
• Will be exposed to mechanical, electrical and chemical hazards.
• *Any exceptions to the above requirements must be documented through Employee Health.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.