Echo Technician

HCA Healthcare•San Antonio, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Echo/Cardiac Ultrasound Technologist works under the direction of the Non-Invasive Cardiology Manager or designee and performs physician-ordered diagnostic cardiac examinations in accordance with hospital standards and practices. The role includes echocardiograms using 2-D, M-mode, color Doppler, pulsed-wave Doppler, and continuous-wave Doppler; routine and CVOR TEEs; carotid imaging; tilt-table testing; and related examinations. The technologist applies technical knowledge to operate non-invasive cardiac imaging equipment, troubleshoot basic issues, clean, store, and maintain equipment, document accurately, and communicate timely, appropriate information to the patient-care team. The position requires registry eligibility for RDCS/RDMS-FE through ARDMS or RCS through CCI, with eligibility based on one of the education and experience pathways described in the posting. Required credentials include an applicable CCI or ARDMS registration. The technologist completes initial and ongoing training and competencies based on service-line, facility, and patient-population needs. The role also involves patient preparation and communication, maintaining examination reports and image records, performing high-level disinfection, taking scheduled call, supporting the Cardiology PACS system and disaster recovery, and helping maintain department supplies. The position supports Methodist Healthcare System’s mission and safety policies and requires adherence to its Code of Conduct.

Requirements

Be registry eligible for RDCS/RDMS-FE through ARDMS or RCS through CCI, meeting one of the listed eligibility pathways.
Meet one of the stated education and experience pathways: an associate degree or two-year patient-care-related allied health program plus one year of full-time clinical ultrasound/vascular ultrasound experience; graduation from a CAAHEP-accredited diagnostic medical sonography, diagnostic cardiac sonography, or vascular technology program; a bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent plus six months of full-time clinical ultrasound/vascular experience; a bachelor’s degree in sonography or vascular technology; a current CCI RCS, RCCS, or RVS credential; high school diploma or GED plus two years of full-time on-the-job cardiac or vascular ultrasound experience; or graduation from a non-accredited cardiac medical sonography program with at least one year of specialty training, including 800 clinical hours.
Hold a required registration: CCI Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS), or an applicable ARDMS credential, including RDCS for the patient population served (adult, fetal, and/or pediatric) or RDMS in Fetal Echocardiography.
Complete initial and ongoing training and competencies established for the service line, facility, and department/unit.
Demonstrate technical proficiency in echocardiography, stress echocardiography, TEEs, carotid imaging, and related diagnostic procedures.
Communicate effectively with patients, families, physicians, and members of the patient-care team; maintain accurate documentation and records.
Comply with hospital and system policies, safety requirements, and ethical conduct standards.

Responsibilities

Obtain a signed physician order and verify consent before examinations; prioritize STAT orders appropriately and explain procedures to patients without discussing clinical findings.
Ensure imaging equipment operates properly; troubleshoot, clean, store, and perform preventive maintenance on equipment.
Perform adult and, when applicable, pediatric echocardiograms using 2-D, M-mode, color Doppler, pulsed-wave Doppler, and continuous-wave Doppler, obtaining views and measurements needed for a complete study.
Perform exercise and chemical stress echocardiograms, including specified views for evaluation of wall-motion abnormalities.
Prepare equipment and supplies for TEEs, assist the cardiologist with probe insertion as directed, record requested data, and clean and disinfect the probe after the procedure.
Assist with head-up tilt-table testing, including patient preparation and transport, checking NPO status, placing electrodes and blood-pressure cuff, confirming a patent saline lock, arranging monitoring or blood draws as required, and remaining with the patient to assist under RN direction.
Perform carotid imaging of the common carotid, bulb, internal carotid, and external carotid arteries using color and pulsed-wave Doppler, and obtain necessary measurements.
Maintain patient reports and exam records according to hospital policy, including retrieving prior reports and images, presenting images to the correct reading physician, entering charges into Meditech, reviewing error logs, supporting database and operating-system backups, modifying hemodynamic-monitoring data fields, and storing archived exam data.
Perform high-level disinfection according to established policies and procedures.
Take scheduled call as assigned by the department Director or designee.
Assist the Cardiology PACS Administrator with disaster recovery procedures for Image Archive Servers and serve as a resource to physicians and staff on the Cardiology PACS system.
Order department supplies as directed and maintain PAR levels to meet patient needs.
Follow system and facility safety policies, use appropriate safety equipment and procedures, report unsafe conditions, and seek guidance when safe procedures are unclear.
Adhere to the Methodist Healthcare System Code of Conduct and report activity that may violate applicable requirements or the Code.
Complete other duties as assigned and support the mission, vision, and goals of the Methodist Healthcare System.

Benefits

Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health, and telemedicine coverage
Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services
Paid time off and paid family leave
Long- and short-term disability coverage and leaves of absence
401(k) plan with a 100% match on 3% to 9% of pay, based on years of service
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Flexible spending accounts
Preferred banking partnerships, retirement-readiness tools, rollover support, and financial wellbeing counseling
Tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, dependent scholarships, and a partnership with Galen College of Nursing
Fertility and family-building benefits
Adoption assistance
Life insurance and supplemental health protection plans
Auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity-theft protection, and consumer discounts