ECHO ULTRASOUND TECH - PRN

JACKSON COUNTY REGIONAL HEALTH CENTER; Maquoketa (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Jackson County Regional Health Center is seeking a skilled echocardiography technologist to perform and interpret cardiac ultrasound studies. You will acquire high-quality images, prepare patients, and communicate findings to cardiologists.

The role involves operating ultrasound equipment, ensuring patient safety, and maintaining accurate records. Candidates should have an appropriate degree, prefer ARDMS/RDCS credentials, and at least 1 year of echocardiography experience.

Qualifications

• Education: 3 year college/university program or equivalent; echo specialty training preferred.
• Field of Study: Sonography; licensure/registration may be required depending on state.
• Experience: Less than 1 year in echocardiography; RDCS/ARDMS credentials highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Perform echocardiograms and image acquisition of heart chambers and valves.
• Explain procedures and prepare patients for imaging; monitor during examination.
• Operate ultrasound equipment and optimize image quality.
• Review preliminary results and report abnormalities to cardiology.
• Document findings in medical records and collaborate with care team.
• Maintain competency with latest echocardiography practices and safety standards.

Skills

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Imaging equipment

Patient communication

Education

Associate or Bachelor’s degree

RDCS/ARDMS credential

Tools

Echocardiography machine

Cardiac ultrasound software

Job description

Purpose

Provides general and specialized diagnostic imaging service and care to patients during both diagnostic and therapeutic imaging procedures. The technologist is accountable for optimal diagnostic images.

Description

Purpose

Provides general and specialized diagnostic imaging service and care to patients during both diagnostic and therapeutic imaging procedures. The technologist is accountable for optimal diagnostic images.

Essential Job Functions

• Patient interaction:
• Ultrasound imaging acquisition:
• Collaboration with healthcare team:
• Quality assurance and safety:
• This list is not inclusive of all duties and responsibilities that may be assigned. They are only listed as typical. Any other duties and responsibilities assigned will be of a similar nature requiring the same relative skill and capabilities.

Responsibilities And Duties

• Performing echocardiograms:
• Conducting ultrasound examinations to capture images of the heart chambers, valves, and blood flow to evaluate cardiac function.
• Patient preparation:
• Explaining the procedure to patients, addressing concerns, and positioning them appropriately for the examination.
• Operating ultrasound equipment:
• Adjusting settings on the ultrasound machine to obtain optimal image quality.
• Image acquisition:
• Carefully capturing clear and detailed images of the heart using different ultrasound techniques.
• Data analysis:
• Reviewing and interpreting preliminary echocardiogram results, identifying any abnormalities to report to the cardiologist.
• Patient monitoring:
• Monitoring patient vital signs during the procedure and addressing any concerns.
• Record keeping:
• Documenting patient information, test results, and image findings in the medical record system.
• Collaboration with healthcare team:
• Communicating findings and collaborating with cardiologists to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment plans.
• Maintaining competency:
• Staying updated on the latest advancements in echocardiography technology and clinical practices through continuing education

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities - Competencies

• Teamwork
• Echo technicians work with other healthcare professionals to gather information and diagnose heart conditions.
• They need to be able to communicate patient concerns to the team.
• Attention to detail
• Echo technicians need to be able to create accurate images of the heart.
• They need to be able to label, organize, and file the images so they are easy to access.
• Imaging equipment
• Echo technicians use ultrasound devices and other imaging tools to create images of the heart.
• They need to be able to use the equipment to capture accurate images.

Supervisory Responsibility

No Supervision. The job does not require the provision of guidance or supervision to others. There is no formal responsibility for directing others.

Materials Responsibility

Limited: Work requires limited responsibility for material resources. Examples for resources could include supplies, equipment, inventories, small budgets, and other similar material assets. The employee has a limited amount of control over these resources. The cost of errors is also limited in terms of damage, waste of financial loss. Problems associated with material resources are not complex. The volume of resources may vary, but the level of difficulty in dealing with these resources is uncomplicated.

Requirements

Education - 3 year college/university program or equivalent experience; Echo technicians typically need an associate or bachelor's degree, as well as a certificate program in echocardiography or cardiac sonography. Some states require a license to practice as a cardiac sonographer.

Field of Study - Sonography

Special Training - Obtain the Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) credential from a recognized body, such as the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), (ARRT) also acceptable. An echocardiographer, involves specialized training in the use of ultrasound technology to assess heart health.

Training Preferred - N/A

Licensure / Registration - American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) and ARDMS eligible in one area to apply for position.

Interpersonal Skills

Experience - Less than 1 year experience required.

Interaction is with a variety of people inside or outside the organization. Communications are of moderate difficulty and sensitivity. Contact with others may involve detailed & lengthy dialogues & exchanges of information. Requires a moderate amount of interpersonal skills. Interactions involve dealing with moderately complicated problem situations or stressful encounters.

Working Conditions

There is exposure to moderately adverse and undesirable environmental conditions. There are some health and safety risks. Position may require safety equipment and precautions. The amount of time the employee may experience these moderate conditions is limited to 70% or less of the work day.

Possible Exposure to Blood Borne Pathogens - Yes

Service Excellence Expectations

• Adheres to the “Values and Behavior Statement” of Jackson County Regional Health Center.
• Adheres to HIPAA and maintains confidentiality as relates to all patient and medical information.
• Works in a safe manner at all times and adheres to our safety programs and service expectations.