Sr. Cardiac Sonographer

The Sonographer works under the general supervision of the Medical Director of the Echocardiography Lab and Director of Echocardiography with direct supervision by the Adult Echo Lab Supervisor, performs and records routine echocardiographic ultrasound studies in accordance with departmental guidelines and protocols. Operates various types of ultrasound equipment, transducers, and adjunct devices on varied patient groups. Recognizes normal and pathological conditions and modifies the exam accordingly to ensure complete and accurate information is obtained. Prepares and positions patient for procedure by using established standards to achieve the highest quality image. Interprets acquired data and creates preliminary reports according to departmental procedures and job standards. Completes job duties with minimal clinical supervision. Works alongside other sonographer staff in a collegial manner to facilitate the completion of scheduled or ordered echocardiographic exams. Proficient skillset in providing all clinical modalities offered in the UCSF Echo Lab. Contributes to the team dynamic through communication, initiative, and productivity.

Responsibilities

%  

of time

Essential Function (Yes/No)

Key Responsibilities

(To be completed by Supervisor)

40

Performs transthoracic echocardiograms on adult and geriatric patient populations. 

15

Performs echocardiographic stress testing (treadmill, bike, dobutamine),

5

Performs cardiac ultrasound enhancement agent studies (saline, Optison, Definity, etc).

15

Performs pre-reading of acquired echocardiographic exams. 

5

Participates in huddles, all-staff meetings, noon conferences, etc. 

5

Contributes to IAC required data collection and IAP goal initiatives. 

5

Participates in research studies, including being assigned specific research protocols

5

Assists with the onboarding of new staff sonographers and housestaff

5

Other duties as assigned, including limited fundamental/POCUS instruction to housestaff/students

0

0

0

0

100%

(To update total %, enter the amount of time in whole numbers (without the % symbol - e.g., 15, 20) then highlight the total sum (e.g., 1%) at the bottom of the column and press F9. The total sum should add up to 100%.)

• Demonstrated ability to work independently in an outpatient clinic environment or an acute care hospital-based echo laboratory.
• Supports the inpatient services and outpatient ambulatory clinics with echocardiography studies for UCSF Health.
• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of ultrasound principles and theory, anatomy and pathology processes utilizing the most appropriate techniques 
• Performs ultrasound tests on inpatients, outpatients, research patients utilizing 2-dimensional, 3-dimensional, M-mode, spectral Doppler, color flow Doppler, tissue Doppler, strain imaging, speckle tracking, and other post-processing functionality at a proficient level. 
• Performs stress echo exams (treadmill, supine bicycle, and dobutamine) at proficient level. 
• Places peripheral intravenous catheters and administers ultrasound enhancement agents.
• Communicates effectively with patient to obtain history, explains purpose and procedure of each test to the patient answering questions about the process in a professional and friendly manner.
• Communicates professionally with staff, faculty, referring physicians, office personnel, and other individuals/organizations that utilize the laboratory services. 
• Completes a preliminary clinical report based on study findings. This includes data entry and analysis of study data into the standard format used by the lab. 
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize clinical and/or emergent problems and takes appropriate action to communicate preliminary clinical report findings to reading team.
• Participates in teaching of fundamental echo principles and/or POCUS examination workflow to housestaff and/or ultrasound students. 

• OTHER FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Duties listed in this section are not essential or intrinsic to the job but are performed at times.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Covers additional UCSF sites as needed.

• May be asked to assist during interventional studies or transesophageal cases. 

• Acts as a department resource for other staff and departments.

•  

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Completion/graduate of an approved cardiac sonographer training program

• Flexibility in scheduling, ability to rotate shifts and coverage for weekends and holiday work at all UCSF Medical Center locations

• Minimum of one (1) year post-graduate experience performing adult cardiac echocardiograms at UCSF or in a similar healthcare setting

• Previous experience performing adult cardiac echocardiograms

• Current registry through ARDMS (RDCS) or CCI (RCS, RCCS, ACS)

• Excellent communication skills

• Attention to detail

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION

• Graduate of a formal accredited ultrasound training program from an approved school

• Academic hospital experience as a cardiac sonographer

• Experience with adult congenital heart disease patients and/or HCM patients

• Prefer adult congenital, structural heart, heart and lung transplant, and advanced heart failure experience. Experience with LVAD, ECMO, TAVR, Mitra-Clip, and other advanced therapies. 

• Prefer EPIC EMR and Syngo Dynamics system experience. 

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS

• RDCS - Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer, or

• RCS - Registered Cardiac Sonographer or

• RCCS - Registered Congenital Cardiac Sonographer

• BLS- Basic Life Support