Supervisor, Echocardiography Services

UCSF’s Heart and Vascular Center offers the latest technology for patients in the Northern California region including fully accredited echocardiography laboratories. UCSF Health is accredited by The Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) in transthoracic echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, adult congenital echocardiography and stress echocardiography. The adult echocardiography lab performs over 24, 000 echocardiogram per year across multiple inpatient campuses and multiple outpatient clinic facilities within the greater Bay Area. Supports the integration of new clinics and hospitals. Utilizing the latest ultrasound systems available, the UCSF Health Adult Echocardiography Lab provides 2D and 3D transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms, echocardiographic stress testing (i.e.: dobutamine, supine bicycle, and treadmill), treadmill stress testing, cardiopulmonary stress testing, ultrasound enhancement studies, and provides intra-operative support for structural heart cases. The adult electrocardiography department processes over 118,000 electrocardiograms per year across multiple inpatient campuses and outpatient facilities. 

The Supervisor supervises staff performing echocardiography / cardiac stress testing and the monitoring of patients before, during and after testing. Provides supervision to technologists in a diagnostic and cardiovascular imaging modality (e.g. Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE), Adult Congenital Transthoracic Echocardiography (ACTE), Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE), and Stress Echocardiography) and related procedures or studies including peripheral intravenous placement, ultrasound enhancement studies and/or bubble studies. Oversees quality measures, enforces adherence to imaging protocols, and standards in accordance to national guidelines and organizational goals. Trains and mentors staff on new techniques, systems, operations and regulations. Supervises staff quality and performance; resolves or escalates daily clinical issues. Serves as liaison between clinic team/leadership and hospital organization.

Scope of supervisory responsibility currently includes primary  Bay Front, Mission Bay Clinic, Daniel Burnham Court, PCMB, BOPC and San Mateo. Supports ACC-5, Mount Zion,  Mission Bay Hospital, PCMB, Stanyan and Hyde locations as needed as well as any future locations as they open.

Supervises the cardiac sonographers. Oversees employees, enforces policies and procedures and monitors productivity. Works with multidisciplinary teams to support quality patient care across multiple hospital and clinic sites. 

Responsibilities

% 

of time

Essential Function (Yes/No)

Key Responsibilities

(To be completed by Supervisor)

50

Leadership/Supervision

• Supervises registered technologists in their daily work assignments and responsible for the workflow in the department.
• Monitors the schedules and maintains adequate staffing. Follows procedures from one shift to another for coverage of sick and tardiness. Works with the Non-invasive department leadership and clinic leadership for ensuring adequate coverage.
• Working supervisor assists with procedures and patient care. Should not exceed 40% of weekly activities. 
• Responsible for training of staff to create positive work environment and increase job skills. Uses appropriate forms for orientation and equipment orientation.
• Participates in the implementation of cardiovascular improvement initiatives, such as new processes and technologies. Recommends ways to improve efficiency and quality of patient care.
• Functions as a resource for technical questions or concerns.
• Trains and mentors staff on new techniques, systems, operations, and regulations.
• Mentors staff in meeting professional goals and developing growth areas.
• Consults with Non-invasive leadership on developing strategies for performance improvement.
• Assists management in coordinating staff development, training, and competency assessment.
• Reviews and evaluates job performances on an ongoing basis. Communicates any job performance issues to employee and to the Non-invasive leadership in a timely manner.
• Completes written performance appraisals by the due date.
• Organizes workflow according to the degree of urgency.
• Collaborates with the administrative and scheduling staff to facilitate level loading of schedules across all sites. 
• Monitors and ensures equitable distribution of daily workload and work assignments for employees.
• Assigns lunch and break relief in accordance to bargaining agreement rules.
• Maintains patient waiting times to a minimum. Provides service recovery if necessary. Ensures WQs are actively managed. 
• Answers telephone inquiries or requests and communicates information to coordinate the department’s services.
• Participates in the recruitment and interview process for hiring new employees.
• Performs in a timely manner the disciplinary action process.
• Operates and displays expertise and skill in the use of all equipment in the department. Is current on all procedures and troubleshooting of equipment problems.

Adjusts protocols as needed to achieve high quality results.

10

Adheres to Policies and Procedures

• Is knowledgeable and enforces UCSF and departmental policies and procedures. Keeps current on patient safety to include electrical, mechanical, fire, safety and disaster procedures. Maintains departmental Environment of Care Manual.
• Provides excellent customer service to patients, co-workers, physicians and other departments.
• Assures that work environment is clean and in compliance with infection control and environmental health and safety standards.
• Adheres to all regulatory agencies, Department of Health, The Joint Commission, Title 17.
• Assists manager in maintaining IAC accreditation requirements. 
• Enforces and adheres to established department and hospital guidelines for attendance, tardiness and schedule time off requests.

Approves and edits timecards in current time keeping system.

15

Information Management

• Demonstrates competency and knowledge in applicable Information Systems (e.g. Syngo Dynamics, MUSE, APeX/Epic, VNA, Modality Worklist).
• Ensures clinical data is correct and appropriate for specific procedures being requested.
• Utilizes hospital/department computers for hospital business only.
• Demonstrates confidentiality by using own password.

Ensures all documentation of exams are completed following the procedure and are coded correctly.

5

Development

• Assumes responsibility and accountability for own professional growth and practice.
• Maintains current licensure/certification and completion of all required continuing education.
• Attends assigned staff development activities for the department.
• Participates in cross training activities when necessary.
• Recognizes and performs duties which need to be performed although not directly assigned.
• Attends professional meetings/lectures to keep current within the field or management.
• Complies with and enforces the department employee expectations and standards.

Actively involved in ASE (American Society of Echocardiography).

10

Performance Improvement

• Assures that the performance and documentation of the daily, monthly, and/or annual quality control tests are complete and accurate. Reports any non-compliance to the appropriate resource.
• Ensures appropriate incident documentation and reporting occurs in a timely manner regarding patients, employees and physicians. This includes patient and employee injuries.
• Participates in and encourages staff participation in the department performance improvement activities.
• Ensures performance metrics to meet IAC guidelines are followed.

5

Budgetary

• Responsible for maintaining adequate level of supplies in the department. Orders supplies when necessary.
• Responsible for knowledge and compliance with the budget and staffing standards.
• Identifies opportunities for cost containment.
• Communicates any suggestions to increase productivity or quality of work.
• Assures patient billing information and billing codes are appropriate. Works with analyst team to address late billing/study errors. 

5

Other Functions and Responsibilities

Performs other duties as assigned within the general scope of job, training and licensure/certification.

0

0

0

100%

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: 
 

Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
Graduation from a CAAHEP accredited cardiac sonography training program.
Demonstrates subject matter knowledge of relevant cardiovascular services. . Ability to apply principles to procedures in an acute care setting.    
Solid knowledge of medical center, HR, relevant bargaining unit agreements and UC policies and processes. Knowledge of relevant external regulations and requirements.    
Demonstrated supervisory skills in training and guiding employees. Motivates and inspires staff to improve cardiovascular services.    
Demonstrated ability to prioritize effectively to meet deadlines in a complex, challenging environment.    
Ability to organize assigned staff and unit operations in an efficient and effective manner.    
Ability to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with assigned staff, patients, and interdisciplinary team members part of the cardiovascular patient care.    
Skills to evaluate issues and identify solutions within defined procedures and policies. Demonstrated ability to solve problems and suggest solutions through critical thinking process.    
Verbal and written communication skills to explain technical cardiovascular concepts, actively listen, persuade, advise, and counsel.    
Advanced knowledge of organization's cardiovascular testing equipment and technology to troubleshoot issues and recommend improvements.    

Required Certifications/Licensure:
Licensed to perform non-invasive cardiovascular testing and / or procedures in assigned area.    
Certification in relevant function required.    
BLS certification

Preferred qualifications: 
RDCS (AE) or RCS or ACS    
RDCS (PE) or RCCS