Echo Technician

HCA Healthcare•San Antonio, TX

2d•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; stress echocardiography; and related examinations. The technologist operates and troubleshoots non-invasive cardiac imaging equipment, cleans, stores, and maintains equipment, documents accurately, and communicates timely and appropriate information to the patient-care team. The position requires registry eligibility or qualifying credentials and education or experience in cardiac or vascular ultrasound, along with completion of initial and ongoing training and competencies relevant to the department and patient population. The technologist also maintains patient reports and imaging records, performs high-level disinfection as required, takes scheduled call, supports the Cardiology PACS system and its disaster recovery procedures, and helps maintain departmental supplies. The role includes following hospital safety policies and the MHS Code of Conduct and completing other assigned duties.

Requirements

Meet one of the stated registry-eligibility 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 or foreign equivalent; current CCI RCS, RCCS, or RVS registration; high school diploma/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 CCI Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) registration and ARDMS registration in an applicable credential: RDCS for the patient population served (Adult, Fetal, and/or Pediatric) or RDMS-FE in fetal echocardiography.
Complete initial and ongoing training and competencies defined by the service line, facility, and department/unit for the patient population served.
Demonstrate technical proficiency in cardiac and vascular ultrasound examinations, equipment operation, basic troubleshooting, and required documentation.
Communicate effectively with patients and members of the patient-care team.

Responsibilities

Obtain a signed physician order and patient consent for each examination; prioritize STAT orders appropriately and explain procedures to patients without discussing clinical findings.
Ensure imaging equipment operates properly; troubleshoot, clean, store, and perform preventative maintenance on equipment.
Perform adult and, where applicable, pediatric echocardiograms using 2-D, M-mode, color Doppler, pulsed-wave Doppler, and continuous-wave Doppler, obtaining measurements and views needed for complete studies.
Perform exercise and chemical stress echocardiograms, acquiring the required imaging views to evaluate wall-motion abnormalities.
Set up 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 labs when needed, and remaining with the patient to assist under RN direction.
Perform carotid imaging of the common carotid, bulb, internal carotid, and external carotid using color and pulsed-wave Doppler; obtain measurements for both sides as needed.
Maintain patient reports and records in accordance with hospital policy, including retrieving prior reports and images, presenting images to the correct reading physician, entering charges in Meditech, backing up databases and operating systems, reviewing error logs, modifying hemodynamic monitoring data fields, and storing archived studies properly.
Perform high-level disinfection according to established policies and procedures.
Take scheduled call as directed 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 for 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 consult supervisors when unsure of safe procedures.
Adhere to the MHS Code of Conduct, demonstrate ethical behavior, and report activity that may violate applicable laws, rules, regulations, or the Code of Conduct.
Complete other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health, and telemedicine plans
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
Tuition assistance, student loan assistance, certification support, and dependent scholarships
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