Echocardiographer

Job Description

Work Setting: Echocardiology.

Job Summary:

The Echocardiographer performs Transthoracic echocardiograms, sets up and assists with Transesophageal Echocardiograms, and under direction performs exercise and Dobutamine Stress Echocardiograms in accordance with the standards set by the American Society of Echocardiography.
This role demonstrates increasing competency in delivering care primarily to an adult patient population and performs additional duties as assigned.

Required Skills & Experience:

• One to three years’ experience as a cardiac sonographer required.
• Demonstrates proficiency performing routine and emergency echocardiograms including 2-dimensional, 3-dimensional, Doppler, and Transesophageal echocardiograms.
• Experience performing Transthoracic echocardiograms and assisting with Transesophageal echocardiograms.
• Ability to set up and perform exercise and Dobutamine Stress Echocardiograms under supervision.
• Operates equipment necessary to perform required procedures and obtain optimal diagnostic images using selected transducers, digital networking systems, and off-line analysis systems.
• Recognizes basic cardiac pathology and analyzes patient medical records to obtain history and necessary information for diagnostic procedures.
• Prepares preliminary reports for cardiologist interpretation including comparison with previous studies.
• Maintains equipment, performs preventive maintenance, and reports malfunctions.
• Sets up and assists with Transesophageal Echocardiograms including probe cleaning, sterilization, and leakage testing according to department policy.
• Participates in quality improvement activities and evaluates procedure results for technical quality and accuracy.
• Prepares and instructs patients before and after procedures.
• Utilizes ultrasound contrast according to guidelines and department policy.

Education Requirements:

• Completion of a two-year Allied Health degree.
• Successful completion of a 12-month CAAHEP approved School of Ultrasound Technology.
  OR
• Cardiovascular Technology education.
  OR
• Equivalent education.

Required Certifications & Licensure:

• American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) for the Healthcare Provider or equivalent.
• American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS).
  OR
• Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) certification in cardiac ultrasound.
  AND
• Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) from ARDMS within 12 months of start.
  OR
• Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) from CCI within 12 months of start.

Preferred Education: Previous healthcare-related training such as CNA, EMT, PCA, or similar.