Echocardiographer Full Time 36 hours

Bristol Hospital Group•Bristol, CT

About The Position

Bristol Health is seeking an Echocardiographer to perform complex diagnostic procedures and echocardiographic tests assessing cardiac and circulatory functions. The role performs transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms, stress echocardiograms, and studies involving agitated saline and contrast administration to optimize imaging for the interpreting Cardiologist. The Echocardiographer follows established ICAEL technical standards and protocols, supports patient safety and comfort, maintains equipment and records, and contributes to quality assurance and staff training. The position works collaboratively with patients, Cardiologists, Cardiology RNs, technologists, clerical staff, Biomedical Engineering, and system administrators. It includes explaining procedures and preparing patients, monitoring patients during stress testing, maintaining required documentation and supplies, supporting accreditation and quality activities, and initiating emergency procedures within authorized limits. The schedule is full time at 36 hours.

Requirements

High school diploma.
Graduate of an approved Echocardiography program.
Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS).
Special requirements specify certification by CCI (Cardiovascular Credentialing Center) or ARDMS (American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers).
Ability to meet physical demands, including being on one's feet most of the day; lifting more than 50 pounds occasionally and up to 35 pounds routinely; and bending, stooping, walking, reaching, standing, pulling, pushing, and twisting.
Hearing and sight corrected to normal.

Nice To Haves

One year of experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform complex diagnostic procedures to assess cardiac and circulatory functions.
Receive procedure orders and obtain pertinent patient history, medications, and clinical indications in accordance with appropriate use criteria.
Perform transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms, stress echocardiograms, and studies using agitated saline injections and contrast administration.
Follow ICAEL technical standards for adult TTEs, adult TEEs, and stress echocardiograms, including probe disinfection, storage, and maintenance.
Observe patients throughout stress tests and collaborate with the team and provider conducting the test.
Explain procedures, provide preparatory instructions and reassurance, and prepare patients through skin preparation and electrode placement.
Follow protocols for ordering and administering contrast agents and adhere to critical-result policies.
Collaborate with Cardiology RNs and technologists to optimize patient throughput and safety; communicate delays to patients and the care team.
Perform quality controls and periodically test instruments to ensure they are working properly.
Facilitate preventive maintenance with Biomedical Engineering and the supervisor, and collaborate on device and server upgrades and maintenance.
Maintain required records, patient and test logs, documentation, and patient EHR entries in accordance with established protocols.
Participate in quality assurance data collection for sonographers and Cardiologists, including an annual AUC record for 30 consecutive patients in the lab.
Maintain equipment and work areas in a clean and orderly condition, and maintain adequate supplies and equipment for testing.
Transport patients on stretchers or wheelchairs as required.
Initiate emergency procedures within authorized limits as required.
Assist clerical support staff with scheduling, record keeping, and related duties.
Assist with orientation and training of new employees.
Participate in quarterly Echo conferences and in-services, maintain required continuing medical education for certification, and attend 66% of staff meetings.