Pediatric Cardiac Sonographer

Wellstar Health System; Augusta (GA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Wellstar Health System seeks a Pediatric Cardiac Sonographer to perform comprehensive echocardiography for pediatric and adult patients. The role requires accuracy, patient-centered care, and teamwork in a busy echo lab.

The ideal candidate will have ARDMS/RCDS/RCS certification and BLS, with a strong commitment to quality, safety, and patient experience. On-site at Wellstar facilities, with a rotating schedule and some call.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED; Diagnostic Medical Sonography degree preferred.
• ARDMS or RDCS/RCS certification required upon hire.
• BLS (Basic Life Support) certification required upon hire.

Responsibilities

• Perform cardiac imaging, including pediatric and adult echocardiograms.
• Ensure patient safety, privacy, and comfort during procedures.
• Transmit studies to PACS and print CDs as needed.

Skills

Excellent communication

Verbal and written communication

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Diagnostic Medical Sonography degree

Job description

How would you like to work in a place where your contributions and ideas are valued? A place where you can serve with compassion, pursue excellence and honor every voice? At Wellstar, our mission is simple, yet powerful: to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve. We are proud to have become a shining example of what's possible when the brightest professionals dedicate themselves to making a difference in the healthcare industry, and in people's lives.

Work Shift

Job Summary

• This position is a Pediatric Cardiac Sonographer.
• The shift/schedule of this role is Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm (may vary).
• Must be available to take call, work weekends and Holidays on a rotating basis.
• The Cardiac Sonographer functions under the direction of the Manager or Lead/Chief Sonographer and is responsible for performing all cardiac imaging; which includes, if performed at your designated facility, adult, pediatric, transesophageal (including structural heart) and stress echocardiograms.
• Performs measurements and calculations according to laboratory protocol, provides an oral summary of preliminary findings to the interpreting Physician, if requested, is responsible for the safety and well-being of all patients in the Echo department, must possess the ability to communicate effectively with the patient(s) and health care team.
• The Cardiac Sonographer may also be asked to inject/administer Ultrasound Enhancing Agents (UEA) as well as saline bubble studies.
• Performs other work-related duties as assigned.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions

Patient Care

• Verifies proper clinician order for procedure.
• Obtains complete clinical history, gathers examination data and assesses for contraindicating conditions.
• Follows established procedures for the administration of UEAs, so that no patient condition deteriorates, and no patient suffers undue pain, due to error or poor technique.
• Ensures that all studies have proper patient identification.
• Reviews ultrasound images for clinically acceptable results and releases patients.
• Assists other team members in all modalities when needed.
• Observes patient condition and properly evaluates situations when physician intervention is necessary so that no patient condition deteriorates.
• Verifies correct identity of patient using 2 unique identifiers prior to performing a procedure per hospital policy and procedure.
• Ensures patient's privacy and comfort is accommodated. Maintains patients dignity throughout the exam/procedure.
• Demonstrates competence in the determination and application of appropriate procedures, equipment, supplies and techniques based on the age of patients.
• Organizes schedule, time and priorities so that required activities are accomplished within designated time frames.
• Follows physicians instructions when assisting with procedures and exams.
• Uses critical thinking skills.
• Dialogs with patient/family
• Asks clarifying questions.
• Seeks clarification on ambiguous orders.
• Understands, demonstrates and documents preprocedural verification and Time Out process when appropriate.
• Demonstrates and understands pre-and-post procedural care.
• Preps the patient for the procedure.

Education and Communication

• Patiently and clearly explains purpose and nature of exam to patient prior to starting procedure, so as to minimize anxiety and facilitate cooperation using AIDET; Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explain, and Thank you of all patients and family members.
• Ensures that patient's questions, concerns or contraindications are satisfactorily addressed, notifying physician when this cannot be accomplished, prior to the initiation of the procedure.
• Participates in the orientation and training of departmental employees.
• Provides patients with preparatory instruction and explanation of procedures.
• Required documentation is concise, legible and includes precise terminology.
• Reads email each day scheduled to work and follows through with assignment.
• Completes mandatory departmental and Hospital-wide education without prompting.

Quality Control

• Ensures that equipment is fully operational prior to each use, by checking for proper calibration and operating deficiencies.
• Sends all studies to PACS immediately after completion, prints CDs as needed.
• Follows infection control policies.

Operations

• Restocks linens and supplies, and maintains the department in clean and orderly condition.
• Transports patients, positions patients, and helps them on and off procedure table.
• Performs patient charging activities on the day the service is rendered.
• Willingly lends knowledge and assistance to others upon request as needed and routinely as time is available, without prompting, so that all working time is used for departmental advantage.
• Performs routine duties of clerical and support personnel in accordance with procedure when warranted to ensure continuity and quality of services.
• Keeps supervisor informed on all responsibilities on an ongoing basis, ensuring prompt notification in the event of problems or potential problems.
• Maintains an individual productivity rate equal to other co-workers.
• Ability to operate all work stations associated with the US department.
• Ability to push / retrieve images from the Ultrasound console to PACS.
• Maintain Joint Commission standards and any other regulatory agency standards.
• Takes call when necessary
• Any other duties as assigned.

Equipment

• Reports problems regarding malfunctioning equipment to supervisor or service provider, so that problem can be corrected in a timely manner.
• Cleans, disinfects and maintains equipment in accordance with infection control policy and department cleaning schedule.
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Complies with all Wellstar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.

Required Minimum Education

• High School Diploma General or GED General
• Trade School Diploma/Degree Diagnostic Medical Sonography-Preferred

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s)

• All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated.
• ARDMS - Registered Medical Sonographer or RCS - Reg Cardiac Sonographer - CCI or RDCS - Reg Diag Cardiac Sonographer
• BLS - Basic Life Support or BLS-I - Basic Life Support - Instructor

Additional License(s) and Certification(s)

• (No content provided)

Required Minimum Experience

• Minimum 1 year experience in echocardiography Preferred or
• Graduate of a formal Diagnostic Medical Sonography program Preferred or
• Graduate of an accredited Cardiovascular Technology program Preferred

Required Minimum Skills

• Must exhibit excellent communication skills because this position requires frequent verbal and written communications with: physicians, patients, visitors, departmental staff and nursing staff.
• The employee obtains, presents and discusses clinical information regarding job responsibilities on a routine basis.
• Candidate must be able to explain or give direction