Lucile Packard Children's Hospital

Senior Cardiac Sonographer

Healthcare
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Successful completion of an accredited cardiac ultrasound program; bachelor's degree preferred.
  • Two years of congenital cardiac sonography experience and progressively responsible direct work experience.
  • Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) with applicable credentials; Pediatric Echocardiography credential preferred.
  • Alternatively, Adult Echocardiography (AE) credential with ARDMS; Fetal Echocardiography also preferred.
  • Registered Congenital Cardiovascular Sonographer (RCCS) credential with Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) and Advanced Cardiac Sonographer (ACS).

Responsibilities

  • Review indications for exams and pertinent medical information before performing echocardiograms.
  • Independently perform normal to complex congenital cardiac transthoracic ultrasound studies.
  • Ensure infection prevention protocols are followed during procedures.
  • Identify and introduce patients, explaining the examination process and ensuring a comfortable environment.
  • Utilize ultrasound equipment to obtain diagnostic images according to imaging protocols.
  • Present and review echocardiographic studies with physicians, obtaining additional images as needed.
  • Document observations and quantifications in cardiology PACS for further review.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive training opportunities for echocardiography learners.
  • Participation in regular quality improvement efforts.
  • Access to outreach clinics and the ability to work on weekends and holidays.
  • Involvement in patient care across all hospital environments.
  • Opportunities for professional development in a collaborative team setting.
Full Job Description
Job ID:

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

This paragraph summarizes the general nature, level and purpose of the job.

Under the direction of the echocardiography laboratory leadership, the cardiac sonographer II is responsible for the independent performance and acquisition of normal to complex congenital cardiac ultrasound studies. Demonstrates knowledge of congenital cardiac abnormalities, cardiac pathology, palliative/corrective congenital heart procedures, cardiac hemodynamic principles, and understands the diagnostic imaging necessary to answer the clinical questions. Performs diagnostic cardiac ultrasound studies on assigned patients of all ages and across all hospital environments. Participates in training of a variety of echocardiography learners. Utilizes previous imaging and other medical data necessary to allow for comprehensive understanding of a patient's condition to help reach a diagnosis. Shows a high capacity for critical thinking, judgement, and skill throughout the role. Helps to ensures that equipment is functional and maintained for immediate use. Participates in outreach clinics, weekend, holiday coverage, and on-call services as assigned. Maintains records and reports on equipment, procedures performed and billing.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The essential functions listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification. They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Employees must abide by all Joint Commission Requirements including but not limited to sensitivity to cultural diversity, patient care, patient rights and ethical treatment, safety and security of physical environments, emergency management, teamwork, respect for others, participation in ongoing education and training, communication and adherence to safety and quality programs, sustaining compliance with National Patient Safety Goals, and licensure and health screenings.

Must perform all duties and responsibilities in accordance with the hospital's policies and procedures, including its Service Standards and its Code of Conduct.

* Reviews indications for exam and other pertinent medical information in preparation for the echocardiogram.
* Responsible for the independent performance and acquisition of normal to complex congenital cardiac transthoracic ultrasound studies.
* Performs appropriate infection prevention.
* Identifies patient per policy, including an introduction and explanation of the examination process to the patient, creates a warm environment for patients and family, instructs and assists patient throughout the procedure.
* Utilizes ultrasound equipment to obtain diagnostic images on patients with anatomy ranging from normal to complex in accordance with imaging protocols.
* Presents and reviews echocardiographic studies with physician and obtains additional images as requested.
* Performs quantitative assessment of echocardiographic data in accordance with imaging protocols.
* Utilizes previous imaging and other medical data necessary to allow for comprehensive understanding of a patient's condition to help reach a diagnosis.
* Completes studies in an efficient manner.
* Utilizing the cardiology PACS, documents observations and quantifications made during the study for final review and interpretation by the reading physician or other qualified medical professional.
* Ensures studies are archived on the cardiology PACS network. Participates with leadership to resolve technical issues.
* Ensures that ultrasound equipment & accessories are maintained and functioning. Participates with leadership to resolve technical issues.
* Participates in maintaining records for research cases.
* Participates in training of echocardiography learners.
* Participates in regular quality improvement efforts.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities as well as possession of any required licenses or certifications is qualifying.

Education: Successful completion of an accredited cardiac ultrasound program. Bachelor's degree preferred.
Experience: Two (2) years of congenital cardiac sonography experience and progressively responsible and direct work experience.
License/Credential:

Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS), Pediatric Echocardiography (PE) and, either Fetal Echocardiography (FE)

OR

Adult Echocardiography (AE) credential with American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS); Fetal Echocardiography (FE) preferred.

OR

Registered Congenital Cardiovascular Sonographer (RCCS) credential with Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) and Advanced Cardiac Sonographer (ACS).

KNOWLEDGE

These are the observable and measurable attributes and skills required to perform successfully the essential functions of the job and are generally demonstrated through qualifying experience, education or licensure/certification.

* Ability to apply judgement and make informed decisions.
* Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
* Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with widely diverse groups, including individuals at all levels both within and outside the organization and gain their cooperation.
* Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
* Ability to interpret physician instructions and patient medical and clinical records to determine type of ultrasound procedure to be performed.
* Ability to perform echocardiography on varied patient population.
* Ability to work effectively as a team player.
* Knowledge of anatomy, physiology and congenital/acquired cardiac pathology as they relate to the use and interpretation of ultrasound diagnostic procedures.
* Knowledge of computer systems and software used in functional area.
* Knowledge of principles of the PACS network and/or other electronic image processing and image development systems.
* Knowledge of principles of ultrasound physics. Knowledge of safety principles and procedures related to ultrasound procedures and equipment.
* Knowledge of ultrasound diagnostic procedures and equipment/instrumentation.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The Physical Requirements and Working Conditions in which the job is typically performed are available from the Occupational Health Department. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

License/Certification:
  • ARDMS by American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography
  • or
  • Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer by American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography
  • or
  • CCI Registered Cardiac Sonographer by Cardiovascular Credentialing International


Additional Information

Pay Range
Compensation is based on the level and requirements of the role.
Salary within our ranges may also be determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, location, and abilities, as required by the role, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.
Typically, new team members join at the minimum to mid salary range.
Minimum to Midpoint Range (Hourly): $81.84 to $92.79

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