Echocardiographer

Job Description

Job Summary:

• The Echocardiographer is responsible for performing cardiac ultrasound procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• He/she also assists a trained, credentialed cardiology attending during stress echocardiogram and TEE procedures.
• Additionally, the position is responsible for complete knowledge of cardiac anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology.
• Performs echocardiograms including 2-D M-Mode, color flow imaging, stress echo, TEE, and doppler studies.
• Has knowledge of Strain and 3D echocardiography.
• Obtains patient history and performs procedures as ordered.
• Helps patients onto and off bed.
• Notifies supervisor in cases of acute or life-threatening abnormalities.
• Communicates abnormal studies directly to the cardiologist.
• Obtains digital acquisition and storage of echo study for physician interpretation.
• Transports equipment to the patient’s room for bedside studies.
• Calibrates, cleans, and maintains equipment and reports breakdowns and supply needs.
• Completes and processes billing charge requisition, log books, worksheets and reports.
• Cleans and prepares room for the next patient. Maintains a clean and safe environment.
• Demonstrates knowledge of aseptic and sterile technique and principles of isolation according to policy and procedure.
• Identifies the needs of the patient population served and modifies and delivers care that is specific to those needs (i.e., age, culture, language, hearing and/or visually impaired, etc.).
• This process includes communicating with the patient, parent, and/or primary caregiver(s) at their level (developmental/age, educational, literacy, etc.).
• Adheres to the accrediting standards and those identified in the Medical Center’s Organizational Competencies.
• Assists in training of new employees in the cost center.
• Participates in performance improvement initiatives and monitoring.
• Performs other tasks as assigned.

Required Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Graduate of a certified cardiovascular technology school and/or graduate of an accredited ultrasonography program with a specialty in cardiac sonography with RDMS or RDCS.

Required Certifications & Licensure:

• Registered Cardiac Sonographer or Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer Certification.
• Maintains American Heart Association Basic Life Support Certification within 30 days of hire.

Preferred Certifications & Licensure:

• One-year clinical echocardiography experience preferred.
• Preferred 2 years prior experience in a cardiac catheterization laboratory or invasive procedure area.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Familiarity with computers, hemodynamic monitoring, and sterile operative techniques.
• Must document at least 15 hours of echocardiography related continuing education over a period of three (3) years. All hours must be relevant to echocardiography.
• Must acquire and maintain competencies, certifications and continuing education in order to meet any facility accreditation or individual licensing requirements.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• One-year clinical echocardiography experience preferred.
• Preferred 2 years prior experience in a cardiac catheterization laboratory or invasive procedure area.