Cardiac Sonographer I

Advocate Health; Town of Grafton (WI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health in Wisconsin seeks a skilled Cardiac Sonographer to perform routine and emergency echocardiograms, including 2D, 3D, Doppler, Transesophageal, and Stress studies, following protocols and physician directives.

The role requires patient instruction, quality reporting, on-site coverage across locations, equipment maintenance, documentation, and participation in education and quality improvement activities; weekend/holiday/on-call shifts may apply.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Valid Sonography credential registration (ARRT(S), RDMS, RDCS) through ARRT and/or ARDMS.
• Must be registered in appropriate cardiology specialties within one year of hire.
• Completion of CPR Course – BLS Certification Required.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and emergency echocardiograms per protocol.
• Explain procedures and possible side effects to the patient or family.
• Record quality information while performing echocardiographic imaging and following protocols.
• Provide echocardiography service at all necessary locations, ports, working variable shifts, weekends, and on-call as scheduled.
• Operate equipment to perform procedures and obtain diagnostic recordings; use transducers and digital systems.
• Maintain equipment in working order and perform minor adjustments/repairs.
• Analyze patient medical records to obtain history for diagnostic procedures.
• Prepare preliminary reports for review by Cardiologist.
• Participate in quality improvement; evaluate results for quality and accuracy; maintain logs.
• Review department performance and implement changes to improve outcomes.
• Maintain patient and staff confidentiality; instruct students and staff as requested.
• Attend Echo Lab Meetings and related conferences for ongoing education.
• Please note: Level 4 cardiac sonographers have additional expectations including inpatient work on weekends/holidays and acting as a leadership resource.

Skills

Communication

Teaching/Training

Organizational skills

Multitasking

Stress management

Patient care

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree preferred

Cardiac ultrasound training program preferred

Tools

EMR system

Cardiac PAC system

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

Reporting Structure Preferred Job Requirements

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.