Cardiac Sonographer

Under the general supervision of the Medical Director of the Echocardiography Lab and Director of Echocardiography with direct supervision by the Adult Echo Lab Supervisor, performs and records routine echocardiographic ultrasound studies in accordance with departmental guidelines and protocols. Operates various types of ultrasound equipment, transducers, and adjunct devices on varied patient groups. Recognizes normal and pathological conditions and modifies the exam accordingly to ensure complete and accurate information is obtained. Prepares and positions patient for procedure by using established standards to achieve the highest quality image. Interprets acquired data and creates preliminary reports according to departmental procedures and job standards. Completes job duties with general clinical supervision. Works alongside other sonographer staff in a collegial manner to facilitate the completion of scheduled or ordered echocardiographic exams. Novice skillset in providing all clinical modalities offered in the UCSF Echo Lab. Contributes to the team dynamic through communication, initiative, and productivity.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

%

of time

Essential Function (Yes/No )

Key Responsibilities

(To be completed by Supervisor)

40

Yes

Performs transthoracic echocardiograms on adult and geriatric patient populations.

15

Yes

Performs echocardiographic stress testing (treadmill, bike, dobutamine),

5

Yes

Performs cardiac ultrasound enhancement agent studies (saline, Optison, Definity, etc).

15

Yes

Performs pre-reading of acquired echocardiographic exams.

5

Yes

Participates in huddles, all-staff meetings, noon conferences, etc.

5

Yes

Contributes to IAC required data collection and IAP goal initiatives.

5

Yes

Participates in research studies, including being assigned specific research protocols

5

Yes

Assists with the onboarding of new staff sonographers and housestaff

5

Yes

Other duties as assigned, including limited fundamental/POCUS instruction to housestaff/students

0

0

0

0

100%

(To update total %, enter the amount of time in whole numbers (without the % symbol - e.g., 15, 20) then highlight the total sum (e.g., 1%) at the bottom of the column and press F9. The total sum should add up to 100%.)

• Demonstrates ability to work independently with limited guidance in an outpatient clinic environment or an acute care hospital-based echo laboratory.
• Supports the inpatient services and outpatient ambulatory clinics with echocardiography studies for UCSF Health.
• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of ultrasound principles and theory, anatomy and pathology processes utilizing the most appropriate techniques
• Performs ultrasound tests on inpatients, outpatients, research patients utilizing 2-dimensional, 3-dimensional, M-mode, spectral Doppler, color flow Doppler, tissue Doppler, strain imaging, speckle tracking, and other post-processing functionality at a novice level.
• Performs stress echo exams (treadmill, supine bicycle, and dobutamine) once trained with leadership approval.
• Places peripheral intravenous catheters and administers ultrasound enhancement agents with leadership approval.
• Communicates effectively with patient to obtain history, explains purpose and procedure of each test to the patient answering questions about the process in a professional and friendly manner.
• Communicates professionally with staff, faculty, referring physicians, office personnel, and other individuals/organizations that utilize the laboratory services.
• Completes a preliminary clinical report based on study findings. This includes data entry and analysis of study data into the standard format used by the lab.

May participate in limited teaching of fundamental echo principles and/or POCUS examination workflow to housestaff and/or ultrasound students

OTHER FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties listed in this section are not essential or intrinsic to the job but are performed at times.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Covers additional UCSF sites as needed.

• May be asked to assist during interventional studies or transesophageal cases.

• Acts as a department resource for other staff and departments.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Completion/graduation of an approved cardiac sonographer training program
• Flexibility in scheduling, ability to rotate shifts and coverage for weekends and holiday work at all UCSF Medical Center locations
• Previous experience performing adult cardiac echocardiograms
• Requires registry through ARDMS (RDCS) or CCI (RCCS, RCS) within 4 months of onboarding
• Excellent communication skills
• Attention to detail

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

• RDCS - Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer, or RCS - Registered Cardiac Sonographer, or RCCS - Registered Congenital Cardiac Sonographer
• BLS- Basic Life Support

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION

• Graduate of a formal accredited ultrasound training program from an approved school
• Academic hospital experience
• Experience with congenital heart disease patients and/or HCM patients
• Prefer adult congenital, structural heart, heart and lung transplant, and advanced heart failure experience. Experience with VAD, ECMO, TAVR, Mitra-Clip, and other advanced therapies.
• Prefer EPIC EMR and Syngo Dynamics system experience.

About UCSF

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world's leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells.

Pride Values

UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence - also known as our PRIDE values.

In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity - both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available here.

Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Salary Information

The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy.

Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.

To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Completion/graduation of an approved cardiac sonographer training program
• Flexibility in scheduling, ability to rotate shifts and coverage for weekends and holiday work at all UCSF Medical Center locations
• Previous experience performing adult cardiac echocardiograms
• Requires registry through ARDMS (RDCS) or CCI (RCCS, RCS) within 4 months of onboarding
• Excellent communication skills
• Attention to detail

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

• RDCS - Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer, or RCS - Registered Cardiac Sonographer, or RCCS - Registered Congenital Cardiac Sonographer
• BLS- Basic Life Support

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION

• Graduate of a formal accredited ultrasound training program from an approved school
• Academic hospital experience
• Experience with congenital heart disease patients and/or HCM patients
• Prefer adult congenital, structural heart, heart and lung transplant, and advanced heart failure experience. Experience with VAD, ECMO, TAVR, Mitra-Clip, and other advanced therapies.
• Prefer EPIC EMR and Syngo Dynamics system experience.