Lead Echo Sonographer

At Houston Methodist, the Lead Echo Sonographer functions as the lead person for cardiac sonography, generally for an assigned shift, and in this capacity performs lead job duties and/or regularly leads projects or performs specialized responsibilities as a regular part of their normal job responsibilities. In addition to the lead responsibilities, this position also functions at an Echo Sonographer II level and serves as the liaison between management, staff and physicians for routine matters as the primary point of contact for resolving questions and issues for Sonographer I and II jobs as well as support staff, resulting in the delivery of exceptional patient care and adherence to standards of practice for optimal patient safety, quality outcomes, and customer service. Duties for this position may be varied and may include many of the following: organize work schedules, make work assignments, review and edit time cards for accuracy, conduct quality assurance audits of staff performance, develop and implement quality improvement activities, train and mentor staff, provide feedback on staff performance and developmental needs, participate in the development of skills and performance of staff, lead and regularly perform special projects, collect/analyze/report on data, prepare reports on performance and metrics, and other responsibilities of a similar nature and level. The Lead Echo Sonographer position is an experienced sonographer capable of performing and teaching a range of standard to complex echocardiograms including but not limited to TTE, Plain Stress Echocardiogram or Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram, TTE with bubbles, TTE with contrast and advanced TTE/ such as TTE with 3D imaging. This position coordinates patient flow, operating all systems for routine, specialty and research diagnostic/therapeutic studies, supporting protocol development, and performing all duties related to scanning and image processing and oversees Quality Assurance testing in compliance with lab accreditation and daily operations. The Lead Echo Sonographer position works independently exercising sound judgment and executing above average clinical skills on challenging diagnostic procedures and patient care situations. This position requires availability to be on call.

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment and leads the team to be a dynamic, team focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.

• Orients, guides and mentors team members consisting of Sonographer I and II's, students and support staff, to help build confidence and competency in skills, knowledge and abilities. Trains and leads all sonographers to perform any procedure in the areas of responsibility at the highest competency level. Effectively implements protocols and objectives with team members to result in optimization of staff performance, teamwork, patient safety, and customer service. Provides feedback to management on team member performance and conduct.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs cardiac echo studies, while ensuring precise and accurate data is transmitted for physician completion. Provides additional support for pharmacologic and exercise stress procedures as well as advanced procedures when needed. Assures proper review of patient medical information, independently performs high quality diagnostic studies according to specified protocols for routine, specialty and research studies while teaching, providing care to and appropriately monitoring patients.

• Provides direct assistance to physicians and other health care team members during cardiac echo studies including, patient preparation before procedures and performs proper sterile techniques as indicated in support of the procedure.

• Provides care for the physical needs of patients when conducting the cardiac echo studies. Educates patients who require inpatient or outpatient echo exams by providing explanations of purpose and techniques used during the exam. Proactively identifies issues and how to address them for optimum outcomes.

• Serves as liaison between team members, management and physicians, resolving routine matters for the shift/modality. Interacts with vendors for supply and equipment needs.

• Assists in developing and evaluating new technical procedures and products and communicating it to the team.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Identifies and recognizes cardiac structures accurately, including: calculate valve area, pressure gradients and ejection fraction when performing echo studies. Confirms the quality of the study is concise and clear to optimize best images for the patient care team and interpreting physician. Identifies abnormal findings when performing exams or processing data and takes corrective action or communicates immediately, when appropriate, to proper personnel for the best results.

• Ensures all patient care equipment has had QC performed as required and is in safe working order prior to use. Reports any malfunctions to management and regularly practices preventive maintenance procedures; calls for service if needed.

• Maintains proper sterile techniques for procedures, regularly practices aseptic techniques, and ensures compliance with infection control procedures. Complies with job, departmental and hospital safety standards, practices and policies.

• Identifies opportunities for corrective action and process improvement providing recommendations and contributes to meeting departmental and hospital targets for quality and safety. Assists with implementation and education of departmental based safety initiatives and standards of practice. Reports ¿near misses¿ and inputs errors promptly into documentation system to improve processes and identify trends.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides accurate and complete documentation of patient procedures. Enters charges at the time service is delivered, when applicable.

• Orders supplies; does not waste supplies.

• Appropriately handles scheduling to accommodate patients' needs and ensuring adequate staffing for operations is maintained. Monitors and adjusts activities to ensure optimum patient throughput and patient experience. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks. Accurately reviews and edits team member's timecards for management approval, if applicable.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Leads departmental projects and shared governance activities.

• Encourages departmental participation in opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development as a Sonographer. Fosters a positive and constructive teaching environment by engaging students and co-workers in learning opportunities that are valuable and in alignment with business objectives. Actively engages in new echosonographer technology, research and abstracts; participating in and encouraging professional publications for the lab (if applicable).

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. EDUCATION

• Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Five years' experience as a Cardiac Sonographer including prior lead/supervisor experience; may consider HM Echo Sonographer with four years' experience of which two are as HM Echo Sonographer II and performance demonstrating leadership skills

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA) AND
• RDCS - Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographerr (ARDMS) OR
• RCS - Registered Cardiac Sonographer (CCI) OR
• RCCS - Registered Congenital Cardiac Sonographer (CCI)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills and competency assessments

• Ability to work independently; capable of handling challenging / difficult diagnostic procedures and patient care situations; demonstrates sound judgment and executes above average clinical skills

• Possesses basic computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems to include, Hospital / Radiology/ Cardiology Information Systems and Office software to maintain patient and exam documents

• Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers

• Adapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision including, organizing workflow and actively participating in problem solving

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional No
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* Yes

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Company Profile:

Houston Methodist Hospital is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 hospital in Texas and one of America’s “Best Hospitals.” As a full-service, acute-care hospital located in the Texas Medical Center and the flagship hospital of Houston Methodist, it has evolved into one of the nation’s largest nonprofit teaching hospitals and a leader in innovative medical research with a comprehensive residency program. Two of Houston Methodist’s primary academic affiliates are among the nation’s leading health care organizations: Weill Cornell Medicine and New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Houston Methodist also has affiliations with Texas A&M University and the University of Houston. With 948 operating beds, 85 operating rooms and more than 8,400 employees, Houston Methodist Hospital offers unparalleled care for thousands of patients from around the world.

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Equal employment opportunity is a sound and just concept to which Houston Methodist is firmly bound. Houston Methodist will not engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person employed or seeking employment with Houston Methodist on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. VEVRAA Federal Contractor – priority referral Protected Veterans requested.

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