HCSS ECHO Sonographer/Vascular Tech

JOB SUMMARY:

Provides supervisory and advanced technical skills in the performance of patient examinations and testing in the Non-invasive cardiac laboratory.

MAJOR DUTIES / CRITICAL TASKS:

* Performs diagnostic testing and care of patients appropriate to age as defined below:

o Adult:

* Respects privacy and confidentiality.
* Facilitates maintenance of body image.
* Recognizes abuse/neglect potential.

o Geriatric

* Respects privacy and confidentiality
* Takes appropriate fall precautions.
* Recognizes increased potential for adverse drug reactions and interactions
* Takes appropriate measures to prevent skin breakdown.
* Makes appropriate provisions for thermoregulation.
* Recognizes abuse/neglect potential
* Contributes to the success of UTMB HealthCare Systems.
* Follows the guidelines set by the laboratory directors for examination of the patient.
* Responsible for acquisition, recording, analysis, and presentation of patient examinations, to include routine, stress, and transesophageal procedures.
* Determines the most appropriate testing techniques for a patient to obtain the optimal information desired by the attending physician to answer clinical questions.
* Informs the attending physician of findings in difficult or unusual cases before the patient leaves the area.
* Attends daily echocardiography interpretation sessions.
* Participates in the teaching of fellows and junior colleagues, conferences, and preceptorship programs.
* Cares for and maintains echocardiography equipment.
* Responsible for cleanliness and order of the immediate laboratory area.
* Notifies the proper personnel of the need for specific laboratory supplies.
* Responsible for proper record keeping, data storage and retrieval for clinical and/or research purposes.
* Assists in clinical research protocols as needed.
* Maintains statistical data as requested by the Technical Director and assists in implementation of total quality management program for the Echocardiography Laboratory.
* Maintains state-of-the-art technology by learning advanced new techniques and information systems.
* Maintains professional competency through participation in educational activities of the department and other related training
* Communicates professionally with personnel in other laboratories within the division of cardiology and other service areas of the hospital.
* Suggests novel approaches in the use of echocardiography in medicine and implement where feasible.
* Conforms to safety regulations and implement all procedures to comply with national and local fire and safety standards.
* Identifies appropriate internal controls for department; provides mechanisms to monitor and enforce compliance.
* Adheres to internal controls and reporting structure.
* Performs other related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

* Ability to effectively communicate verbally and/or in written form.
* Customer service orientation and values.
* Ability to negotiate solutions and outcomes.
* Team player.
* Ability to maximize people and financial resources.
* Ability to work in partnership with management and staff.

REQUIRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:

* High School or equivalent AND:
* Certified as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) OR Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) or Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) by the Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI)
* Must have 2 years of experience as a Cardiac Sonographer within the last 2 years
* CPR/BLS certification obtained through American Heart Association (AHA)

EQUIPMENT:

* Standard echocardiography equipment
* Standard patient care supplies and other equipment and mechanical devices.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

* Standard cardiac laboratory environment with heavy patient contact
* Standard hospital, clinical and/or office environment.
* Some lifting, moving, and positioning of patients and equipment.
* May require heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling more than fifty pounds.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

* 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.
* While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, utilize hand/ finger dexterity, and type on a computer keyboard. Specific vision abilities required by this job include regularly working on a Visual Display Terminal (VDT), close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
* The employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
* Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents in lieu of stated minimums require the prior approval of the Executive Director of Human Resources.

Compensation

* Hiring Range: 43.00