Echocardiogram Technician Registered, Cardiology Non Invasive - Full time

Summary:

Position requires considerable technical ability, experience and judgment to perform cardiovascular ultrasound and evaluate the quality of data for Cardiologist interpretation. Must have substantial knowledge and understanding of cardiovascular disease, dynamics of blood flow, doppler and color flow imaging techniques. Expected to have a detailed understanding of ultrasound instrumentation, cardiovascular physiology and pathology, hemodynamics and the ability to relate these findings into clinically meaningful data.

Responsibilities:

Clinical duties:

• Demonstrates a working knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, dynamics of blood flow doppler and color flow imaging. -- Exhibits and shares knowledge of cardiovascular pathology, normal and abnormal ultrasound data and obtains quality images with accurate measurements and high degree of clinical expertise.
• Ensures a safe, clean environment for patients, visitors and staff. -- Follows department and hospital infection control policies. Assures rooms are cleaned after each use and prepared for next patient with proper disposal of infectious waste and linens.
• Demonstrates appropriate care and cleaning of hospital equipment. -- Always assures equipment is cleaned after each use, including transducers, patient cables and machine exterior surfaces according to department and hospital policies. Applies appropriate safety precautions when handling cleaning TEE transducers.
• Follows on call policies and procedures. -- Arrives in the department within 20 minutes after being called. Adheres to dress code, infection control and all applicable policies when performing on call procedures.
• Assures proper patient identification prior to procedure. -- Checks patient's ID bracelet and/or verbally identifies patient. Reviews patient record with all pertinent patient information before performing procedure.
• Assures patient comfort level and understanding of procedure prior to beginning test. -- Explains procedure to patient and demonstrates ability to communicate effectively and clearly. Maintains patient privacy at all times with awareness of patient comfort throughout testing.
• Consistently displays effort to fairly distribute workload. -- Demonstrates a positive demeanor in all aspects of work assignments assisting in other areas as the need arises. Always willing to assist less experience techs with developing their skills.
• Quality of work. -- Demonstrates willingness and ability to adapt to a changing workload without interrupting timely patient care. Consistently achieves maximum productivity without compromising quality.
• Demonstrates willingness to assist in training of staff as needed. -- Actively participates in training of all staff including cross training of current staff and new employees as needed.
• Successfully completes competency checks on age specific, psychosocial needs and growth and development in all patient age groups.
• Respects confidentiality of hospital information. -- Demonstrates the utmost discretion when discussing patient information, and provides effective communication of variances to appropriate personnel.
• Demonstrates high level of understanding of principles of ultrasound physics Bio effects of ultrasound and equipment operation. -- Troubleshoots equipment malfunctions including ultrasound, treadmill, transducers and reports to supervisor promptly. Provides a learning environment for less experienced staff in this area.
• Assures adequate supply levels are maintained for patient needs. -- Communicates supply needs appropriate person in a timely fashion to meet ordering deadlines.
• Ensures patient procedures are properly documented and charged. -- Records appropriate information in daily log and enters patient charges into computer by the end of scheduled shift avoiding billing errors and late charges.
• Demonstrates the ability and willingness to maintain records, files, and tapes for review by cardiologists (including current and past procedures). -- Assists with purging files, tapes, and records during workload fluctuations.
• Maintains CPR and active registry. -- Submits copies to manager at least annually.
• Regularly assesses the physical environment and equipment. -- Reports needed repairs to appropriate personnel.
• Physician orders. -- Promptly contacts physician when there is a question regarding prescribed procedure for clarification. Carries out procedures in a timely fashion.
• Emergency equipment availability. -- Takes active role in assuring crash cart supplies and emergency equipment are readily available, properly stocked and documents proper working order.
• Contrast Use. - Accurately defines procedures, as per echo policy, where contrast injection will improve the quality of the study for a more accurate interpretation.

Utilization of time and planning:

• Demonstrates effective time management skills. -- Returns promptly from break periods, does not waste time and assists other as needed to maintain efficient workflow including covering for coworkers for meal periods as needed.
• Performs work in a prompt and reliable manner. -- Exhibits commitment by accepting assigned duties as well as assisting with unassigned tasks without prompting from supervisor.
• Demonstrates ability to establish priorities effectively. -- Exhibits sound judgments based on priority of procedures to be done. Consistently assures tasks are completed in a timely fashion recognizing the need to be flexible and supportive of workload changes.
• Utilizes resources of other disciplines to provide timely patient care. -- Works with other departments to assure patient testing is performed in the most efficient manner possible. Considers overall patient length of stay so diagnostic testing is not delayed.

Initiative:

• Consistently demonstrates ability to work independently. -- Rarely requires supervision. Utilizes time of other staff members and uses difficult, challenging and interesting cases as a tool for improving skills of less experienced staff.
• Remains visible and available when not performing assigned tasks. -- Willing to accept special assignments and assist others as needed including performing EKGs, TETS, holter monitors or transporting patients without prompting by supervisor.
• Maintains and improves skills. -- Assumes responsibility for professional growth and development. Maintains appropriate continuing education credits for active registry status.
• Participates in department and hospital quality improvement activities. -- On own initiative, assets in process improvement by submitting ideas, suggestions for improvement in patient care, safety or other quality issues. Responds to requests for participation in collection of data.
• Maintains work area in a manner conducive to efficiency and safety. -- On own initiative, organizes, cleans and maintains orderly work area including cabinets, supply areas, linen areas, file rooms and patient test areas.
• Consistently interacts with coworkers. -- Demonstrates cost conscious attitude with regard to assisting others to make the most efficient use of time. Does not discriminate in any way or allow personal biases to interfere with job responsibilities or cross training goals of department staff.

Other:

• Provides proper notification for absences or tardy. -- Contacts supervisor or designee directly with minimum of two (2) hours notice for illness with the exception of emergency to avoid unexcused absence. Contacts directly for late arrival so workload can be assigned appropriately and to avoid unexcused tardy.
• Requests time off by policy. -- Routinely follows policy approval for time off with adequate advance notice. Adheres to department policy for schedule changes after schedule is posted. (No changes without approval from supervisor or designee)
• Willing to adjust personal schedule to complete workload. -- Demonstrates flexibility and awareness of unforeseen changes in workload and consistently willing to change hours worked while maintaining awareness of cost containment issues.

Responsible for adhering to Hospital policies and procedures:

• Follows attendance and tardiness procedures. -- Accrues no unexcused absences, accrues no more than three (3) unscheduled absences, reports to work station at designated time, and follows established call-in procedures in order to maintain adequate staffing levels.
• Follows attire and appearance procedures. -- Follows established hospital and/or departmental procedures for dress, personal hygiene, cosmetics, hairstyles, facial hair, jewelry, leg-wear and ID badges, recognizing that proper appearance assists in maintaining a professional image and authority.
• Follows safety precautions. -- Follows necessary and pertinent safety precautions during the performance of job duties, to prevent injury to self and/or others and to prevent damages to hospital equipment/property. Has no avoidable accidents or injuries during the past twelve (12) months.
• Participates in prescribed in-service programs and departmental meetings. -- Attends at least 80% of prescribed in-services and departmental meetings each year in order to learn new procedures and update information to more adequately perform job duties and foster greater teamwork and cooperation.
• Attends infection control and safety programs. -- Attends all mandated infection control and safety programs or in-services to maintain a working knowledge of appropriate precautions and actions to be initiated during the execution of duties.
• Follows hospital policies and departmental rules. -- Adheres to hospital policies and departmental rules.
• Follows the CHRISTUS Health Guidelines related to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), designed to prevent or detect unauthorized disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI).
• Associate timely completes all required educational assignments.

Requirements:

Education/Skills

• High School Diploma.
• Proof of Registry in echocardiography with appropriate credentials: RDCS, RCS, RDMS through ARDMS or CCI.

Experience

• Minimum of one (1) year of full time experience in Cardiac ultrasound perferred.
• Must have considerable experience performing routine echoes including colorflow, pulse wave, and continuous wave Doppler, stress, echo, pharmacologic stress and TEE.
• Experience using contrast echo agents.

Licenses, Registrations, or Certifications

• Current American Heart Association CPR Certification.
• BLS.

Work Schedule:

8AM - 5PM Monday-Friday

Work Type:

Full Time