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 using non-invasive cardiac technology. Procedures include echocardiograms using 2-D, M-mode, color Doppler, pulsed-wave Doppler, and continuous-wave Doppler; routine and CVOR transesophageal echocardiograms (TEEs); carotid imaging; tilt-table testing; and related examinations in accordance with hospital standards and practices. The technologist operates, troubleshoots, cleans, stores, and maintains diagnostic imaging equipment, documents accurately according to hospital policies, and communicates relevant information promptly to the patient-care team.

The role includes preparing patients and equipment, performing diagnostic imaging and measurements, assisting physicians and nurses during procedures, maintaining patient reports and image archives, and carrying out high-level disinfection. The technician also takes scheduled call and may support the Cardiology PACS system, department supply management, and disaster recovery procedures. The position is at Methodist Hospital Westover Hills, a full-service acute-care hospital in San Antonio, Texas.

Requirements

• Meet one of the stated registry-eligibility 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; current CCI RCS, RCCS, or RVS credential; 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.
• Meet applicable eligibility for RDCS/RDMS-FE through ARDMS or RCS through CCI, as specified for the qualifying education and experience pathway.
• Hold the required Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) credential from CCI and an ARDMS credential appropriate to the patient population served: RDCS-AE, RDCS-FE, and/or RDCS-PE, or RDMS-FE in fetal echocardiography.
• Complete initial and ongoing training and competencies defined by the service line, facility, and department for the needs of the patient population served, if applicable.
• Demonstrate technical proficiency in echocardiography, stress echocardiography, TEEs, carotid imaging, and related non-invasive cardiac procedures.
• Demonstrate proficiency in equipment operation, basic troubleshooting, cleaning, storage, and preventative maintenance.
• Accurately document examinations and communicate appropriate information to the patient-care team.
• Comply with hospital policies, safety requirements, and the MHS Code of Conduct.

Responsibilities

• Obtain signed physician orders and required patient consent, respond appropriately to STAT calls, prioritize orders, explain procedures, and confirm patient or family understanding without discussing clinical findings.
• Ensure proper equipment operation during exams and perform basic troubleshooting, cleaning, storage, and preventative maintenance.
• Perform adult and, where applicable, pediatric echocardiograms using 2-D, M-mode, color Doppler, pulsed-wave Doppler, and continuous-wave Doppler; obtain measurements and views needed for complete studies and additional views when clinically helpful.
• Perform exercise and chemical stress echocardiography, acquiring the 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 immediately after the procedure according to departmental policy.
• Assist with head-up tilt-table testing, including patient preparation, NPO verification, transport, electrode and blood-pressure cuff placement, confirmation of a patent saline lock, arranging blood draws when needed, and remaining with the patient to assist under RN direction.
• Perform carotid imaging, obtaining images and Doppler data for the common carotid, bulb, internal carotid, and external carotid arteries and measurements for both sides as needed.
• Maintain patient reports and exam records according to hospital policy, including retrieving prior reports and images, presenting images to the correct reading physician, communicating requests, entering charges in Meditech, performing database and operating-system backups, reviewing error logs, 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 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.
• Support the Methodist Healthcare System's mission and goals; comply with safety policies and procedures, use appropriate safety equipment, report unsafe conditions, and seek guidance about safe procedures when needed.
• Adhere to the MHS Code of Conduct and report activity that may violate applicable laws, regulations, or the Code of Conduct.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, behavioral health, and telemedicine benefits.
• Wellbeing support, including free counseling and referral services.
• Paid time off, 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 and adoption assistance.
• Life insurance and supplemental health protection plans.
• Auto and home insurance, legal counseling, identity theft protection, and consumer discounts.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed