Cardiac Sonographer II

The University of Kansas Health System•Olathe, KS

26d•Onsite

About The Position

Cardiac sonographers provide professional, safe, and compassionate ultrasound imaging care to patients of all populations. The role requires advanced understanding of ultrasound physics and instrumentation to optimize controls and acquire high-quality images. Sonographers identify and evaluate anatomical and physiological findings consistent with disease processes, adapt routine protocols to individual patients and disease states, and initiate critical-value notifications to support timely patient care. The sonographer performs routine and complex cardiac ultrasound procedures, including echocardiograms and stress echocardiograms. The role also includes supporting transesophageal echocardiography, administering and documenting specified contrast and bubble studies, organizing data for interpreting physicians, and contributing technical information during interpretive sessions. Sonographers support quality improvement, patient flow, equipment maintenance, education, and other departmental functions. The position is full-time on days at Olathe Hospital; on-call echocardiographic services may be assigned.

Requirements

High school graduation.
Four years of cardiac ultrasound clinical experience as a Registered Cardiac Sonographer.
At least 4,000 echocardiograms performed.
Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS or BCLS) certification from the American Heart Association (AHA).
Current Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) credential from Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI), or Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) credential from the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS).
Maintain continuing medical education (CME) requirements.
Ability to train in area of competency.
Basic computer skills.

Nice To Haves

Graduation from a programmatically accredited cardiac ultrasound/echocardiography program.
Graduation from a diploma, associate, or bachelor's academic program in health science, including cardiovascular technology, ultrasound, radiologic technology, respiratory therapy, or nursing.
Training or certification in IV and ultrasound-enhancing-agent (UEA) contrast administration.

Responsibilities

Obtain patient history and perform a pre-ultrasound assessment; verify that the ordered exam is consistent with the history, indication, diagnosis, and assessment, and clarify discrepancies with the ordering physician.
Explain procedures to patients, reassure them, elicit cooperation, and ensure their safety and mental and physical comfort.
Perform routine and complex cardiac ultrasound procedures, including echocardiograms and treadmill, Dobutamine, and bicycle ergonometry stress echocardiograms.
Understand imaging planes for TEE exams and assist the physician in acquiring esophageal images; at the KU location, clean and disinfect TEE probes as appropriate.
Perform clinical and technical duties for the assigned location and shifts, and provide on-call echocardiographic services when scheduled to support emergent services under a cardiologist's direction.
Identify and evaluate anatomical and physiological findings consistent with disease processes, adapt protocols to individual patients, and initiate beneficial enhancements unless otherwise directed by the ordering physician.
Use cognitive and psychomotor skills in cardiovascular disease to acquire appropriate echocardiographic images and hemodynamic information accurately and efficiently.
Organize acquired data to represent the patient's condition accurately; identify, document, and communicate critical values to the interpreting physician, and contribute relevant technical information during interpretive sessions.
Provide constructive peer-to-peer case-study feedback as assigned and return quality-improvement studies to the technical director or designee in a timely manner.
Help maintain efficient patient flow as an active member of the department team.
Complete mandatory educational assignments and participate in training sonographer students, residents, medical students, and fellows in cardiovascular ultrasound procedures.
Assess the need for LVO contrast and bubble studies and administer and properly document IVs, LVO contrast, and bubble studies when performed.
Help maintain the equipment log, place service calls as needed, resolve and document issues, and notify the director or manager promptly.
Maintain cleanliness of supplies, stock linen, and empty laundry daily.
Perform other professional, clinical, and technical competencies of the assigned unit or department as required.