Echocardiograph Technician

Department: Cardiology Services

Schedule

PRN, Day Shift (As Needed)

Call Required 

Position Function: Under the direction of leadership, provides echocardiograms in accordance with the established policies and procedures of the Hospital and Cardiovascular Services.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

1.    Maintains a neat, clean, and safe environment for patients and staff; communicates housekeeping needs as appropriate. 
2.    Routinely demonstrates competency and adherence to all organizational safety directives and P&Ps including, but not limited to:  Fire, “Right to Know” (MSDS), HIPAA, Emergency Preparedness, Infection Control, Life Safety (Utilities), and department specific safety procedures as evidenced in daily performance of job functions and successful response to drills and incidents.  
3.    Recognizes and consistently responds to priorities and changes in the work schedule; adapts to changes in the workload.  Performs well in emergency situations.    
4.    Routinely consults with the supervisor concerning unfinished procedures and/or rescheduling of procedures. Demonstrates a willingness to accommodate overtime requirements or changing priorities in the workplace.
5.    Performs procedures in accordance with established departmental policy and procedure; assures accuracy for proper test interpretation, recognizing the importance and relationship to patient care. 
6.    Contributes/participates in quality improvement activities throughout the year.
7.    Wears ID badge at all times.
8.    Ensures that supplies and equipment necessary for patient care are stored in an organized and efficient manner.
9.    Verifies correct procedure by checking physician's orders on chart and/or requisition.
10.    Verifies correct patient by following department/hospital's patient identificiation policy.
11.    Understands and applies age/population-related physiological/anatomical differences when performing tests.
12.    Explains the testing procedures to be performed to the patient; giving explanations that are easily understood by patients, family or significant others.
13.    Regularly displays a conscious and professional attitude when meeting and providing for the needs of customers; verifies correct patient by following the hospital's patient identification policy. 
14.    Assists patients in preparation for testing; helps patients to undress, as necessary; provides gowns, sheets, or enclosures to insure privacy.  Requests unauthorized individuals to vacate the area.
15.    Performs duties in an independent manner with little or no need for direct supervision; seeks guidance and direction as necessary.
16.    Evaluates, recognizes and documents any abnormalities in tests recorded.
17.    Demonstrates competence in establishing and administering intravenous contrast following department's P&P.
18.    Consults with interpreting physician prior to performing additional procedures, as appropriate, and documents in record.
19.    Demonstrates ability to perform complete exam.  Complete exam to include standard views from multiple planes, all appropriate measurements, and doppler flows.   Demonstrates proper patient positioning, transducer selection and placement, optimization of equipment gain and display settings.  
20.    Follows up procedures by checking Universal Viewer for correct image and documentation transfer from modality.
21.    Accurately and correctly prepares appropriate calculations for the interpreting physician.
22.    Observes, records, and reports any changes in the patient's condition and/or behavior, prior to and/or after procedure to the physician.
23.    Recognizes and responds to priorities in departmental duties; adapts to changes in the workload.
24.    Organizes testing schedule; prioritizes STATS, inpatients and outpatients to accommodate workload.
25.    Prepares patient testing room, equipment, and supplies used in test procedures.
26.    Places completed tests in interpreting physician's reading que.
27.    In EPIC, enters orders noting accuracy of information--correct patient name, correct medical record number, birth date, ordering physician, and account number.  Edits orders to the correct status to bill procedure.  Amends orders, as needed,  to correct date, procedure, ordering physician and/or reason for exam.
28.    Receives requests for scheduling of Echocardiograph procedures.  Effectively uses Meditech Community Wide Scheduling system to complete requests received from patients, physician's offices, nursing homes, nursing floors.  Schedules Echocardiograph procedures appropriately in accordance with departmental guidelines.  Instructs, as appropriate, on required preps for requested procedures.
29.    Recognizes and performs duties to assist coworkers with procedures as assigned; follows directions accurately.
30.    Competently illustrates and demonstrates scanning methods, anatomy and function to students/employees as needed.  Works well within the Echocardiography student program.
31.    Completes safety/injury reports accurately and within 24 hours.
32.    Creates a positive experience for patients, families, and co-workers by using customer service skills in daily work routine.
33.    Maintains continuing education credits as required by Registry; proactively renews certifications/renewals before the due date.
34.    Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications and Standards
 

Education:   High School graduate or equivalent required.  Successfully completes the educational requirements as established by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS). 

Experience:   Experience applying customer service behaviors and communication skills required.  One year cardiography experience preferred.  Must possess an excellent working knowledge of cardiac and pulmonary anatomy/pathology,  the cardiac patient, and treatment of cardiac diseases. 

Certifications/Licensure: Credentialed as a Registered Echocardiogram Technician or as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) required; or Registered Cardiac Sonographer through Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) required. CPR certification required.