ECHO ULTRASOUND TECH - PRN

Jackson-County-Regional-Health-Center; Maquoketa (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Jackson County Regional Health Center seeks an ultrasound technologist specializing in echocardiography to perform echocardiograms and related heart imaging procedures.

The role requires collaboration with cardiologists and the healthcare team, patient preparation, accurate image acquisition, and maintaining quality standards. RDCS or ARDMS eligibility is preferred, with limited experience acceptable.

Qualifications

• 3-year college/university program or equivalent; echo technicians typically need an associate or bachelor’s degree, plus a certificate in echocardiography or cardiac sonography.
• RDCS credential preferred or ARDMS eligible.
• Less than 1 year experience accepted.

Responsibilities

• Perform echocardiograms and ultrasound examinations of the heart.
• Prepare patients and position them for exams.
• Operate ultrasound equipment and adjust settings for optimal images.
• Acquire high-quality heart images using various techniques.
• Review preliminary results and report abnormalities to cardiologist.
• Monitor patient vital signs during procedures.
• Document test results and images in the medical record system.
• Collaborate with cardiologists and healthcare team for accurate diagnosis.
• Maintain competency through continuing education.

Skills

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Imaging equipment

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

Assoc./B.S. in Sonography

Tools

RDCS credential (ARDMS) eligibility

Job description

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

1. Patient interaction:
2. Ultrasound imaging acquisition:
3. Collaboration with healthcare team:
4. 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

1. Performing echocardiograms:
2. Conducting ultrasound examinations to capture images of the heart chambers, valves, and blood flow to evaluate cardiac function.
3. Patient preparation:
4. Explaining the procedure to patients, addressing concerns, and positioning them appropriately for the examination.
5. Operating ultrasound equipment:
6. Adjusting settings on the ultrasound machine to obtain optimal image quality.
7. Image acquisition:
8. Carefully capturing clear and detailed images of the heart using different ultrasound techniques.
9. Data analysis:
10. Reviewing and interpreting preliminary echocardiogram results, identifying any abnormalities to report to the cardiologist.
11. Patient monitoring:
12. Monitoring patient vital signs during the procedure and addressing any concerns.
13. Record keeping:
14. Documenting patient information, test results, and image findings in the medical record system.
15. Collaboration with healthcare team:
16. Communicating findings and collaborating with cardiologists to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment plans.
17. Maintaining competency:
18. 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.

Experience -

Less than 1 year experience required.

Interpersonal Skills

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.