Echo Sonographer

Cardiac Sonographer

We've made a lot of progress since opening the doors in 1942, but one thing has never changed - our commitment to serve, heal, lead, educate, and innovate. We believe that every award earned, every record broken and every patient helped is because of the dedicated employees who fill our hallways.

At Ochsner, whether you work with patients every day or support those who do, you are making a difference and that matters. Come make a difference at Ochsner Health and discover your future today!

This job provides individualized, direct patient care of assigned patients by performing a variety of sonographic procedures and/or test; not limited to, electrocardiograms and associated stress tests, echocardiograms to include 2D/M Mode, Doppler and Color Flow imaging, Exercise Stress Echo and Dobutamine Stress Echo. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, compiling history and diagnostic information from the examination, and presenting the preliminary sonographic findings. Provides the highest quality personalized patient care and maintains a positive work relationship with the health care team.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at Ochsner's discretion.

Education

Required - High School diploma or equivalent

Work Experience

Required None

Preferred 1 year experience in cardiac ultrasound

Certifications

Required - Active RDCS registry through ARDMS Credentialing Agency or RCS registry through CCI Credentialing Agency within 6 months of hire

Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association

Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Must have computer skills and dexterity required for data entry and retrieval of information.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present information clearly and professionally.
• Must be proficient with Windows-style applications, various software packages specific to role and keyboard.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work with and maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to work efficiently and calmly under pressure.
• Ability to work self-directed and to function without direct supervision.
• Ability and willingness to have and maintain flexibility in work duties and hours (may require flexible schedule such as nights, evenings, weekends, holidays, extended shifts, etc.).
• General knowledge of cardiac anatomy, Doppler physics, and the hemodynamics of blood flow in relation to the various disease states.
• Skills to preliminarily identify stenosis or occlusion based on nationally published criteria.
• Skills to assist attending physicians with interventional procedures requiring ultrasonic guidance.
• Ability to provide care and/or support services in a manner consistent with the patient's age, social, spiritual, and cultural needs and other special consideration.

Job Duties

• Prepares, instructs, and educates patient on procedures.
• Performs diagnostic procedures.
• Documents and keeps records.
• Prepares work area.
• Effectively plans, organizes, and displays good judgment and decision making.
• Maintains professional development and required clinical knowledge, technical skills, training, and credentials.
• Adapts behavior to the specific patient population, including but not limited to: respect for privacy, method of introduction to the patient, adapting explanation of services or procedures to be performed, requesting permissions and communication style.
• Other related duties as required.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this description amended at any time.

Remains knowledgeable on current federal, state and local laws, accreditation standards or regulatory agency requirements that apply to the assigned area of responsibility and ensures compliance with all such laws, regulations and standards.

Complies with the Ochsner Health System Compliance & Privacy Program and Standards of Conduct, including the immediate reporting of any known or suspected unethical or questionable behaviors or conduct; patient/employee safety, patient privacy, and/or other compliance-related concerns.

Ochsner 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, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Physical and Environmental Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Very Heavy Work - Exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Heavy Work. (Constantly: activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; and/or (3) when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible. NOTE: The constant stress and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically demanding of a worker even though the amount of force exerted is negligible.

Duties performed routinely require exposure to blood, body fluid and tissue.

The incumbent works in a patient care area; works in an area where patients enter; works directly with patients; and/or works with specimens that could contain communicable diseases. There may be an occupational risk for exposure to communicable diseases.