Cardiac Sonographer I

Department: Heart Station – SRMC

FTE: 0.05
Casual Pool (as needed)
Shift: Days

Position Summary:
The Cardiac sonographer (Echocardiographer) functions as a healthcare provider who, working under the delegated authority of the supervising Cardiology physician, serves as a medical imaging professional providing clinically relevant information to assist the Cardiologist with the diagnosis and treatment of patients. The Cardiac Sonographer role and responsibilities include providing diagnostic medical sonography images of the heart, cardiac chambers, valves, and vessels. The Cardiac Sonographer activities are performed consistent with their education and training, and in accordance with facility policies and procedures and applicable professional standards. Patient care assignment may include Neonate, Pediatric, Adolescent, Adult and Geriatric age groups.

Detailed responsibilities:
* PATIENT SAFETY 1 – Follow patient safety-related policies, procedures and protocols
* PATIENT SAFETY 2 – Demonstrate proactive approach to patient safety by seeking opportunities to improve patient safety through questioning of current policies and processes
* PATIENT SAFETY 3 – Identify and report/correct environmental conditions and/or situations that may put a patient at undue risk
* PATIENT SAFETY 4 – Report potential or actual patient safety concerns, medical errors and/or near misses in a timely manner
* PATIENT SAFETY 5 – Encourage patients to actively participate in their own care by asking questions and reporting treatment or situations that they don’t understand or may “not seem right”
* Prepare exam room and ultrasound equipment to conduct sonography examinations in accordance with infectious disease, sterilization, and patient safety protocols, policies and procedures
* Review patient medical history and supporting clinical information
* Assume responsibility for the safety of the patient during the sonographic examination
* Conduct patient clinical assessment and perform the diagnostic medical sonography examination ordered by the supervising physician in accordance with professional facility protocols
* Apply independent judgment during the sonography examination to ensure that appropriate anatomical, pathological, and clinical conditions are accurately captures in the examination images
* Except as authorized by written facility policies and procedures, refer specific diagnostic, treatment or prognosis question to the appropriate physician or healthcare professional
* Review examination images, synthesize examination results, and prepare the preliminary findings for use by the interpreting physician
* Perform quality control procedures to ensure that the ultrasound equipment operates at optimal levels
* Exercise responsibility to ensure that the ultrasound equipment is functioning accurately
* Exercise responsibility for the maintenance and accuracy of facility reports, database records and logs
* Ensure the sonography examination results meet the facility standards for Quality Assurance before findings are released for interpretation
* Carry out Quality Assurance protocols and quality improvement measures within the facility
* Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with co-workers, administrators and members of the healthcare team

Qualifications

Education:
Essential:
* Program Graduate
Education specialization:
Essential:
* Allied Health Accredited Program Graduate

Experience:
Essential:

Nonessential:
No preferred experience

Credentials:
Essential:
* CPR for Healthcare/BLS Prov or Prof Rescuers w/in 30 days
* ARDMS or Ult Cert from ARRT or CCI Cert w/in 1 year
* NM Med Imag & Rad Therapy Lic (NMMIRT)

Physical Conditions:
Medium Work: Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.

Working conditions:
Essential:
* Med Haz: Mod exposure to chemicals/dangerous equip/materials
* May be required or is required to perform on-call duties