Cardiovascular Sonographer Technician - Temporary

Cardiovascular Sonographer Technician - Temporary

Kern Medical has been a community cornerstone since its founding in 1867. Today, we are an acute care teaching center with 222 beds, offering the only advanced trauma care between Fresno and Los Angeles. Kern Medical offers a range of primary, specialty, and multi-specialty services including high-risk pregnancy care, inpatient psychiatric services integrated with county mental health programs, and a growing network of outpatient clinics providing personalized patient-centered wellness care. Kern Medical cares for 15,500 inpatients and 125,000 clinic patients a year.

Position: Cardiovascular Sonographer Technician - Temporary

Definition: Under direction, the Cardiovascular Sonographer Technician is responsible for the independent operation of echocardiographic equipment, and performing and communicating results of diagnostic examinations using echocardiography. The Cardiovascular Sonographer Technician is responsible for daily operations of the echocardiographic laboratory, equipment maintenance, the report of equipment failures, and quality assessment (QA). The Cardiovascular Sonographer Technician maintains a high standard of medical ethics at all times and is self-motivated to increase level of understanding and knowledge of the field, disease, and new procedures as they evolve.

Distinguishing Characteristics: The Cardiovascular Sonographer Technician is a singleton position classification. The Cardiovascular Sonographer Technician is a Diagnostic Ultrasound Professional that is qualified by professional credentialing and academic and clinical experience to provide diagnostic patient care services using ultrasound and related diagnostic procedures. The duties of the Cardiovascular Sonographer Technician include those procedures, acts and processes permitted by law, for which the individual has received education and clinical experience, has demonstrated competency, and has completed the appropriate ARDMS/CCI certification(s) through either which is the standard of practice in ultrasound.

Essential Functions:

• Makes patient appointments for the cardiac diagnostic service unit in accordance with Kern Medical policies and procedures;
• Serves as a resource to other faculty departments, onsite clinics and other health care providers regarding patient appointments and services;
• Performs transthoracic echocardiography, including regular, contrast and Dobutamine types, as a separate procedure in conjunction with Cardiac Stress Testing procedures to aid in the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease or abnormalities;
• Selects the appropriate transducers for the specific examination;
• Selects and stores images for diagnosis by the cardiology staff;
• Assists the cardiology staff with performing the above testing procedures as required.
• Demonstrates customer service;
• Establishes and promotes interpersonal relations;
• Functions within the team concept with the patient as the focus;
• Greets, interacts, offers assistance, answer questions, provides information regarding programs and services, explains testing procedures, and witnesses informed consent.
• Prepares preliminary reports as determined by the cardiology staff;
• Reviews images obtained and stored, and final reports with cardiology staff;
• Prepare final reports for inclusion in the patient's medical record using available report generation hardware and software;
• Maintains retrievable records of studies done using appropriate storage media;
• Performs procedures;
• Sets up patient and equipment;
• Assesses and monitors patient throughout exercise stress and pharmacologic stress testing; delivers age specific patient care while considering factors related to the safe and effective use of technology and resources;
• Inspects and adjusts malfunctioning electro-diagnostic equipment to restore it to use or notifying supervisor of needed repairs;
• Assists with the monitoring and maintaining of appropriate inventory levels of service and office supplies;
• Maintains a clean and organized work environment.
• Evaluates new products, techniques, and equipment for possible future use;
• Participates in developing new techniques and procedures;
• Prepares protocols and instructional materials for new equipment and techniques based upon the manufacturer's manual and specifications for approval management.

Additional Duties:

• Performs other job related duties as required.

Employment Standards:

High School graduate or equivalent; Successful completion of a Cardiac Sonography or Cardiovascular Technology program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) preferred or a program accepted for certification as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer or Registered Cardiac Sonographer by American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).

Possession and maintenance of a valid certification as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) issued by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) issued by the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) is required, OR Eligible for Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) within 90 days of employment with Two years of full-time or full-time equivalent experience in cardiac ultrasound.

• Must have participated in a minimum of 600 cardiac ultrasounds.
• Must obtain RDCS or RCS within 90 days of employment.

Possess a current American Heart Association Responder or Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS) card at time of hire. As a continued condition of employment, employee must maintain RQI Responder certification and competency;

Depending on assignment incumbents may be required to possess and maintain specific certificates of competency as a condition of employment;

Employees must maintain all health requirements designated by Kern Medical;

Knowledge of: The principles, techniques and methods applicable to the specific specialty area; The operation, adjustment and care of sonographic imaging equipment; Federal, state and local laws and regulations governing sonography; effective verbal and written communication skills and computer skills.

Ability to: Understand and follow detailed instructions; Learn to understand, operate equipment; Deal effectively with and understand the various types and conditions of patients; Produce quality images; Prepare records and reports; Deal tactfully and professionally with patients, physicians and staff; and maintain the strictest levels of confidentiality.

Supplemental: Dependent upon assignment, applicants may be required to pass an extensive background investigation, and be fingerprinted. Disqualification for felony, misdemeanor, and traffic offenses will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

All Kern Medical employees are designated "Disaster Service Workers" through state and local laws (CA Government Code Sec. 3100-3109 and Ordinance Code Title 2 - Administration, Ch. 2.66 Emergency Services.) As Disaster Service Workers, all county employees are expected to remain at work, or to report for work as soon as practicable following a significant emergency or disaster.

If position responsibilities require driving a personal vehicle, then possession of a current valid California Driver's License and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.

If position responsibilities require driving a vehicle owned, leased or rented by Kern Medical, then possession of a current valid California Driver's license, a signed authorization for Release of Drivers Record Information and adherence to the Kern County Hospital Authority Vehicle Use and Driving Standard Policy (ENG-EC-119) is required.