Echo Tech/Cardiac Sonographer

Cardiac Sonographer II

The cardiac sonographer (Echocardiographer) functions as a healthcare provider who, working under the delegated authority of the supervising cardiology physician, serves as a medical imaging professional providing clinically relevant information to assist the cardiologist with the diagnosis and treatment of patients. The cardiac sonographer role and responsibilities include providing diagnostic medical sonography images of the heart, cardiac chambers, valves, and vessels. The cardiac sonographer activities are performed consistent with their education and training and in accordance with facility policies and procedures and applicable professional standards. Patient care assignment may include neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric age groups.

Detailed responsibilities include:

• Following patient safety-related policies, procedures, and protocols
• Demonstrating a proactive approach to patient safety by seeking opportunities to improve patient safety through questioning of current policies and processes
• Identifying and reporting/correcting environmental conditions and/or situations that may put a patient at undue risk
• Reporting potential or actual patient safety concerns, medical errors, and/or near misses in a timely manner
• Encouraging patients to actively participate in their own care by asking questions and reporting treatment or situations that they don't understand or may "not seem right"
• Preparing exam room and ultrasound equipment to conduct sonography examinations in accordance with infectious disease sterilization and patient safety protocols, policies, and procedures
• Reviewing patient medical history and supporting clinical information
• Assuming responsibility for the safety of the patient during the sonographic examination
• Conducting patient clinical assessment and performing the diagnostic medical sonography examination ordered by the supervising physician in accordance with professional facility protocols
• Applying independent judgment during the sonography examination to ensure that appropriate anatomical, pathological, and clinical conditions are accurately captured in the examination images
• Referring specific diagnostic, treatment, or prognosis questions to the appropriate physician or healthcare professional, except as authorized by written facility policies and procedures
• Reviewing examination images, synthesizing examination results, and preparing the preliminary findings for use by the interpreting physician
• Performing quality control procedures to ensure that the ultrasound equipment operates at optimal levels
• Exercising responsibility to ensure that the ultrasound equipment is functioning accurately
• Exercising responsibility for the maintenance and accuracy of facility reports, database records, and logs
• Ensuring that the sonography examination results meet the facility standards for Quality Assurance before findings are released for interpretation
• Carrying out Quality Assurance protocols and quality improvement measures within the facility
• Establishing and maintaining collaborative working relationships with co-workers, administrators, and members of the healthcare team

Qualifications:

• Education: Associate Degree, Program Graduate, Related Discipline, Allied Health Accredited Program Graduate
• Experience: None preferred
• Credentials: CPR for Healthcare/BLS Prov or Prof Rescuers w/in 30 days, ARDMS or Ult Cert ARRT or CCI, NM Med Imag & Rad Therapy Lic (NMMIRT)

Physical Conditions: Medium Work

Working conditions: Med Haz: Mod exposure to chemicals/dangerous equip/materials, May be required or is required to perform on-call duties, Tuberculosis testing is completed upon hire and additionally as required