Cardiac Sonographer

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Work Shift

Day (United States of America)

Job Summary:

• The Cardiac Sonographer functions under the direction of the Manager or Lead/Chief Sonographer and is responsible for performing all cardiac imaging, including adult, pediatric, transesophageal (including structural heart) and stress echocardiograms (as applicable to facility).
• Performs measurements and calculations according to laboratory protocol.
• Provides an oral summary of preliminary findings to the interpreting physician if requested.
• Responsible for the safety and well‑being of all patients in the Echo department.
• Must possess the ability to communicate effectively with patients and the healthcare team.
• May be asked to inject/administer Ultrasound Enhancing Agents (UEA) as well as saline bubble studies.
• Performs other work‑related duties as assigned.
• Must be available to take call, work weekends and holidays on a rotating basis.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

Equipment

• Reports problems regarding malfunctioning equipment to supervisor or service provider so that issues can be corrected in a timely manner.
• Cleans, disinfects and maintains equipment in accordance with infection control policy and department cleaning schedule.

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.
• Verifies correct identity of patient using 2 unique identifiers per hospital policy and procedure.
• Ensures patient privacy and comfort is accommodated; maintains patient dignity throughout the exam/procedure.
• Demonstrates competence in selecting and applying 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 procedure using AIDET to minimize anxiety and facilitate cooperation.
• Ensures patient questions, concerns or contraindications are satisfactorily addressed; notifies physician when unresolved prior to 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 equipment is fully operational prior to each use by checking 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 assists them on and off the procedure table.
• Performs patient charging activities on the day the service is rendered.
• Willingly lends knowledge and assistance to others as needed and whenever time allows.
• Performs routine clerical and support duties when required to ensure continuity and quality of services.
• Keeps supervisor informed on all responsibilities and provides prompt notification of problems or potential issues.
• Maintains an individual productivity rate equal to other coworkers.
• Ability to operate all workstations associated with the ultrasound department.
• Ability to push/retrieve images from the ultrasound console to PACS.
• Maintains Joint Commission and other regulatory agency standards.
• Takes call when necessary.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Minimum Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent from accredited program — Required
• Graduate of a formal Diagnostic Medical Sonography program — Preferred
• Graduate of an accredited Cardiovascular Technology program — Preferred

Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s):

(All required upon hire unless otherwise stated)

• Registered Medical Sonographer or
• Registered Cardiac Sonographer – CCI or
• Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer
• Basic Life Support (BLS) or BLS Instructor

Required Minimum Experience:

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

Required Minimum Skills:

• Must exhibit excellent communication skills due to frequent verbal and written interactions with physicians, patients, visitors, departmental staff and nursing staff.
• Routinely obtains, presents and discusses clinical information regarding job responsibilities.
• Must be able to explain or give directions to maintain goodwill and obtain cooperation with all contacts.
• Must be able to function independently and under pressure while actively participating in a team environment.
• Must exhibit excellent customer service skills at all times.
• Must perform effectively in a stressful and fast‑paced work environment.
• Must have the ability to prioritize appropriately.
• Must be detail oriented and able to multitask effectively throughout the work shift.
• Must interact professionally with a wide variety of customers including patients, families, coworkers, volunteers and physicians.
• Must be able to function independently yet productively as a cooperative team member.
• Must comply with all Hospital policies as well as applicable practices, protocols and professional standards.
• Must be flexible with work hours to meet department needs.
• Must be dependable, accountable and cooperative.
• Assists with providing safe, age‑appropriate care by performing all exams per department procedures.
• Has the knowledge and ability to obtain a quality diagnostic study properly and safely.
• Responsible for performing a wide variety of technical procedures requiring independent judgment, ingenuity and initiative.
• Able to independently perform job functions.
• Sets up the equipment to provide imaging service and positions patient for the procedure.
• Competent in all aspects of Cardiac Ultrasound, patient positioning and exposure factors.
• Must understand anatomy and pathology and how they affect the quality of a procedure.

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