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 or Chief 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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