Echo Tech

SUMMARY:

Under the general supervision of the Director of Cardiovascular Services, Echo sonographer performs a variety of routine echocardiograms including, but not limited to, Transthoracic Echocardiogram or TTE, with Color, Spectral Doppler and 2-D imaging, Transesophageal Echocardiogram TEE, Plain Stress Echocardiogram or Dobutamine Stress Echocardiogram, TTE with bubbles, TTE with contrast and advanced TTE such as TTE with 3D imaging, for both inpatient and outpatient studies. Locates, evaluates, and records pertinent anatomical, pathological and functional data while using different systems of ultrasound equipment. Transmits exams to compatible DICOM storage applications, processes preliminary technical data in designated interpreting system, and communicates any significant findings to the attending reading physician. This job requires the ability to be on call. They will carry out job duties consistent with St. Joseph Medical Center mission and values by working as a team member and mandating customer satisfaction.

SHIFT:

• PRN

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Service:

• Consistently supports and communicates the Mission, Vision, and Values of St. Joseph Medical Center.
• Upholds the Standards of Conduct and Corporate Compliance.
• Performs cardiac echo studies while ensuring precise and accurate data is transmitted for physician completion. (EF)
• Provides care for the physical needs of patients when conducting cardiac echo studies. As well as educating 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.
• 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.

People:

• Consistently follows patient care, and facility guidelines and procedures in performance.
• Collaborates with inter and interprofessional colleagues to ensure quality outcomes.
• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department results.
• Collaborate with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.

Quality:

• Completes annual education requirements.
• Maintains competency, as evidenced by completion of competency validation requirements.
• Promotes of a culture of patient safety which results in the identification and reduction of unsafe practices.
• Uses professional judgment and critical thinking to prepare, prioritize, and execute the patient's plan of care consistently with patient assessment data, physicians' treatment plans, and professional standards of care.
• Implement measures to prevent exposure to infectious pathogens and communicable conditions.
• Identifies risks and hazards to patients through various risk assessments, with actions taken to mitigate patient harm.
• 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.
• Maintains proper sterile techniques for procedures, regularly practices aseptic techniques, and ensures compliance with infection control procedures.
• Comply with job, departmental and hospital safety standards, practices, and policies.
• 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.

Growth:

• Maintains competency and knowledge of current standards of practice, trends, and developments.
• Enhances the patient's experience by fostering a positive relationship with customers.
• Contributes to improving patient satisfaction results.
• Participates in departmental projects and shared governance activities.
• Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development as a Sonographer.

Finance:

• Promotes stewardship of hospital resources while ensuring quality patient care.
• Provides accurate and complete documentation of patient procedures.
• Enters charges at the time service is delivered, when applicable.
• Use resources efficiently; does not waste supplies.
• Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks.
• This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned.

St. Joseph Medical Center reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Education Required:

• Graduate of an education program approved by the American Registry of Diagnostic Sonography (ARDMS) or Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) Certificates.

Licenses and Registrations Required:

• Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) from American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) OR Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) or Registered Congenital Cardiac Sonographer (RCCS) from Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) Basic Life Support certification required; American Heart Association and American Red Cross accepted.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required:

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills and competency assessments.
• Possesses basic computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems to include, Hospital / Radiology/ Cardiology Information Systems and Office software to maintain patient and exam documents.
• Pediatric Echo Tech experience
• 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 regarding 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.

PREFERRED:

• Bi or Multilingual.
• Minimum 1 year experience as a cardiovascular Echo sonographer, preferred.

Houston's oldest hospital is GROWING!

Welcome to St. Joseph Medical Center (SJMC), Houston's first and only downtown hospital delivering world-class care for the last 137 years and looking forward to the next century of exceptional care to Houstonians when they need us most.

Whether it's for a scheduled surgery, the birth of a baby, an unexpected emergency, or an outpatient visit, we have staff available around the clock to provide you access to immediate, quality health care. SJMC has been providing health care services to Greater Houston residents for over 130 years, which should give you great comfort in knowing that we have a great tradition of caring for our community. We strive to meet our patients' expectations and encourage our patients to provide us with feedback on how we can help them have the best experience possible while they're in our care.

Over the last years we have expanded our services to include the Advanced Wound Care Center, Comprehensive Cardiac and Vascular Services, the Women's Center, the St. Joseph Maternal Fetal Medicine Center, and a Weight Loss Surgery Program, just to name a few. As you work with our physicians, nurses, case managers, educators, and other staff, you will be guided through your health care journey, from diagnosis to treatment, with compassion every step of the way.

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are at the foundation of the care St Joseph Medical Center provides to our community we are privileged to support in all of our employment practices. We do not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression or any other non-job-related characteristic.