Cardiac Sonographer

How would you like to work in a place where your contributions and ideas are valued? A place where you can serve with compassion, pursue excellence and honor every voice? At Wellstar, our mission is simple, yet powerful: to enhance the health and well-being of every person we serve. We are proud to have become a shining example of what's possible when the brightest professionals dedicate themselves to making a difference in the healthcare industry, and in people's lives. **Work Shift** Day (United States of America) **Job Summary** --------------- * This position is a **Pediatric Cardiac Sonographer.** * The shift/schedule of this role is **Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm** (may vary). * Must be available to take call, work weekends and Holidays on a rotating basis. * The Cardiac Sonographer functions under the direction of the Manager or Lead/Chief Sonographer and is responsible for performing all cardiac imaging; which includes, if performed at your designated facility, adult, pediatric, transesophageal (including structural heart) and stress echocardiograms. * Performs measurements and calculations according to laboratory protocol, provides an oral summary of preliminary findings to the interpreting Physician, if requested, is responsible for the safety and well-being of all patients in the Echo department, must possess the ability to communicate effectively with the patient(s) and health care team. * The Cardiac Sonographer may also be asked to inject/administer Ultrasound Enhancing Agents (UEA) as well as saline bubble studies. * Performs other work-related duties as assigned. **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. * Follows established procedures for the administration of UEAs, so that no patient condition deteriorates, and no patient suffers undue pain, due to error or poor technique. * Ensures that all studies have proper patient identification. * Reviews ultrasound images for clinically acceptable results and releases patients. * Assists other team members in all modalities when needed. * Observes patient condition and properly evaluates situations when physician intervention is necessary so that no patient condition deteriorates. * Verifies correct identity of patient using 2 unique identifiers prior to performing a procedure per hospital policy and procedure. * Ensures patient's privacy and comfort is accommodated. Maintains patients dignity throughout the exam/procedure. * Demonstrates competence in the determination and application of appropriate procedures, equipment, supplies and techniques based on the age of patients. * Organizes schedule, time and priorities so that required activities are accomplished within designated time frames. * Follows physicians instructions when assisting with procedures and exams. * 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 the procedure. ### _**Education and Communication**_ * Patiently and clearly explains purpose and nature of exam to patient prior to starting procedure, so as to minimize anxiety and facilitate cooperation using AIDET; Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explain, and Thank you of all patients and family members. * Ensures that patient's questions, concerns or contraindications are satisfactorily addressed, notifying physician when this cannot be accomplished, prior to the initiation of the procedure. * Participates in the orientation and training of departmental employees. * Provides patients with preparatory instruction and explanation of procedures. * Required documentation is concise, legible and includes precise terminology. * Reads email each day scheduled to work and follows through with assignment. * Completes mandatory departmental and Hospital-wide education without prompting. ### _**Quality Control**_ * Ensures that equipment is fully operational prior to each use, by checking for proper calibration and operating deficiencies. * Sends all studies to PACS immediately after completion, prints CDs as needed. * Follows infection control policies. ### _**Operations**_ * Restocks linens and supplies, and maintains the department in clean and orderly condition. * Transports patients, positions patients, and helps them on and off procedure table. * Performs patient charging activities on the day the service is rendered. * Willingly lends knowledge and assistance to others upon request as needed and routinely as time is available, without prompting, so that all working time is used for departmental advantage. * Performs routine duties of clerical and support personnel in accordance with procedure when warranted to ensure continuity and quality of services. * Keeps supervisor informed on all responsibilities on an ongoing basis, ensuring prompt notification in the event of problems or potential problems. * Maintains an individual productivity rate equal to other co-workers. * Ability to operate all work stations associated with the US department. * Ability to push / retrieve images from the Ultrasound console to PACS. * Maintain Joint Commission standards and any other regulatory agency standards. * Takes call when necessary * Any other duties as assigned. ### _**Equipment**_ * Reports problems regarding malfunctioning equipment to supervisor or service provider, so that problem can be corrected in a timely manner. * Cleans, disinfects and maintains equipment in accordance with infection control policy and department cleaning schedule. * 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 General or GED General * Trade School Diploma/Degree Diagnostic Medical Sonography-Preferred **Required Minimum License(s) and Certification(s)** ---------------------------------------------------- * All certifications are required upon hire unless otherwise stated. * ARDMS - Registered Medical Sonographer or RCS - Reg Cardiac Sonographer - CCI or RDCS - Reg Diag Cardiac Sonographer * BLS - Basic Life Support or BLS-I - Basic Life Support - Instructor **Additional License(s) and Certification(s)** ---------------------------------------------- * (No content provided) **Required Minimum Experience** ------------------------------- * Minimum 1 year experience in echocardiography Preferred or * Graduate of a formal Diagnostic Medical Sonography program Preferred or * Graduate of an accredited Cardiovascular Technology program Preferred **Required Minimum Skills** --------------------------- * Must exhibit excellent communication skills because this position requires frequent verbal and written communications with: physicians, patients, visitors, departmental staff and nursing staff. * The employee obtains, presents and discusses clinical information regarding job responsibilities on a routine basis. * Candidate must be able to explain or give directions to maintain goodwill and obtain cooperation with all contacts. * Must possess the ability to function independently and under pressure while still actively participating in a team environment. * Position requires the employee to exhibit excellent customer service skills at all times. * Must be able to perform effectively in a stressful and fast paced work environment. * Must have the ability to prioritize appropriately. * Must be detail oriented and have the capacity to effectively multitask throughout the work shift. * Must have excellent communication skills and the capacity to interact professionally with a variety of customers, including but not limited to patients, families, co-workers, volunteers, and physicians throughout the work shift. * Must possess the ability to function independently, yet productively as a cooperative team member with various work teams associated with the position. Must be compliant, with a willingness to follow all Hospital policies as well as the established practices, protocols and procedures of the position, department and applicable 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 to the patient by performing all exams provided by the department per department procedures. * Has the knowledge and ability to obtain a quality diagnostic study properly and safely. * Responsible for performing a wide variety of technical procedures requiring independent judgment, ingenuity and initiative in the utilization of equipment for the diagnosis and/or treatment of diseases. * Able to independently perform job functions. * Sets up the equipment to provide imaging service and positions patient for the procedure. * Competent in all aspects of Cardiac Ultrasound, patient positioning, exposure factors. * Must understand anatomy and pathology and how they affect the quality of a procedure. Join us and discover the support to do more meaningful work—and enjoy a more rewarding life. Connect with the most integrated health system in Georgia, and start a future that gives you more.