Cardiac Vascular Sonographer

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Work Shift
Day (United States of America)

8a-430p (Tuesday-Friday)

Job Summary:

• Wellstar Cobb - Cardiovascular Medicine in Austell, Georgia is seeking a Cardiac Vascular Sonographer.
• The Cardiac Vascular Sonographer functions in a dual-role position as both Cardiac and Vascular Sonographer.
• Functions under the direction of the Manager orChief or Lead Sonographer and is responsible for performing all cardiac imaging, including adult, pediatric, transesophageal and stress echocardiograms (as applicable to location).
• Performs all vascular imaging including carotid duplex imaging, Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) with and without exercise, AAA screening, aorta, and upper and lower extremity arterial and venous scans.
• Experience with venous reflux studies preferred but not required (if applicable).
• Performs measurements and calculations according to laboratory protocol.
• Provides written or oral summary of preliminary findings to interpreting physician.
• Responsible for the safety and well-being of all patients in the department.
• Must possess the ability to communicate effectively with patients and the healthcare team.
• Must be flexible with work hours to meet department needs.
• Must be dependable, accountable and cooperative.
• Has the knowledge and ability to obtain a quality diagnostic study properly and safely.
• May be asked to inject/administer ultrasound image enhancing agents 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 (if applicable).

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.
• Explains test procedures to patients; addresses concerns and answers questions appropriately.
• Follows established procedures for the administration of contrast medias to prevent deterioration of patient condition or unnecessary pain.
• Ensures that all studies have proper patient identification and right/left marker utilization.
• Reviews ultrasound images for clinically acceptable results and releases patients.
• Responds to emergency situations and restocks crash cart and life-support equipment.
• Assists other technologists in all modalities when needed.
• Observes patient condition and evaluates when physician intervention is necessary.
• Verifies correct identity using 2 unique identifiers per hospital policy.
• Ensures patient's privacy and comfort; maintains patient dignity.
• Demonstrates competence in selecting and applying procedures, equipment, supplies and techniques based on patient age.
• Organizes schedule, time and priorities to accomplish required activities.
• Follows physician instructions when assisting with procedures and exams.
• Demonstrates proficiency with loading and operating power injection.
• 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 procedure.
• Demonstrates and understands sterile technique.
• Ability to perform all vascular ultrasound and echocardiography exams.

Education and Communication

• Patiently and clearly explains purpose and nature of exam to patient prior to starting the procedure using AIDET.
• Ensures patient questions, concerns or contraindications are addressed, notifying physician when necessary.
• Participates in the orientation and training of departmental employees.
• Provides preparatory instructions and explanations of procedures to patients.
• Required documentation is concise, legible and precise.
• Reads email each workday and follows through with assignments.
• Completes mandatory departmental and hospital-wide education without prompting.
• Maintains appropriate patient care documentation including echocardiograph tapes, patient charts and logs.
• Appropriately identifies procedures for accurate charging.
• Maintains credentials and documentation required for continued lab accreditation.
• Develops and maintains policies and procedures related to echocardiography.

Quality Control

• Consistently produces acceptable images with a first-time acceptance rate based on radiologist feedback and audits.
• Performs echocardiograms, treadmill, bicycle or stress echoes per physician orders and established practices.
• Confers with physician regarding requirements for non-standard examinations and determines appropriate technical factors.
• Performs pre-procedure verification process per hospital policy.
• Performs measurements and calculations according to protocol.
• Ensures equipment is operational by checking calibration and deficiencies prior to each use.
• Sends studies to PACS immediately; prints CDs as needed.
• Prints and scans after-hours reported studies from teleradiography to PACS when applicable.
• Completes all studies in RIS prior to completing in PACS.
• Prints completed teleradiography log sheets and submits them to Radiologist when applicable.
• Follows infection control policies.

Operations

• Restocks linens and supplies; maintains a clean and orderly environment.
• Transports, positions and assists patients on/off procedure table.
• Performs patient charging activities on the day services are rendered.
• Applies shielding, supportive and immobilization devices and equipment.
• Willingly lends knowledge and assistance to others as needed and when time allows.
• Performs clerical and support duties as required to maintain continuity and quality of services.
• Keeps supervisor informed of responsibilities and promptly reports problems or potential issues.
• Maintains individual productivity equal to co-workers.
• Ability to operate all workstations in the ultrasound department.
• Ability to push/retrieve images from the ultrasound console to PACS.
• Maintains Joint Commission and other regulatory standards.
• Takes call when necessary.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Equipment

• Maintains clinical competency in all areas of echocardiography and vascular studies through ongoing practice and education.
• Demonstrates competency in performing all studies and modalities.
• Consults with cardiologists and other resources to increase knowledge.
• Maintains registry certification.
• Maintains equipment in working order through routine cleaning and preventive maintenance.
• Reports equipment malfunctions promptly.
• Cleans, disinfects and maintains equipment according to infection control policy.
• 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 or equivalent from accredited program - Required
• Graduate of a formal Diagnostic Medical Sonography program or accredited Cardiovascular Technology program - Preferred

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

(All required upon hire unless otherwise stated)

• Basic Life Support (BLS) through AHA - Required
• ARRT Vascular Sonography or Registered Vascular Specialist or Registered Vascular Technologist
• Registered Cardiac Sonographer (CCI) or Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer or Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer Adult Echo

Required Minimum Experience:

• Minimum 1 year experience in echocardiography or vascular sonography - Required

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 cooperation.
• Must be able to function independently and under pressure while actively participating in a team environment.
• Must consistently demonstrate excellent customer service skills.
• Must perform effectively in a stressful, fast-paced environment.
• Must have the ability to prioritize appropriately.
• Must be detail-oriented and able to multitask effectively throughout the shift.
• Must interact professionally with a wide variety of individuals including patients, families, co-workers, volunteers and physicians.
• Must be able to function independently yet cooperatively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Must comply with all hospital policies, 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 assigned exams.
• Has the knowledge and ability to safely obtain quality diagnostic studies.
• Performs a wide variety of technical procedures requiring judgment, ingenuity and initiative.
• Proficient in all aspects of vascular ultrasound.
• Able to independently perform job functions.
• Sets up equipment and positions patients for procedures.
• Competent in all aspects of cardiac and vascular ultrasound, patient positioning and exposure factors.
• Must understand anatomy and pathology and how they affect exam quality.

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