Pediatric Cardiac Sonographer - Children's Hospital of Richmond - Days

VCU Health•Richmond, VA

10d•$35 - $68

About The Position

The Sonographer/Technologist performs ultrasound procedures and related techniques to produce images for interpretation by a licensed independent practitioner. The role combines scientific knowledge, technical skills, patient interaction, and compassionate care to provide diagnostic information for patients across the lifespan. The technologist recognizes patient conditions relevant to successful procedures and uses independent professional and ethical judgment. The Sonographer/Technologist demonstrates knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, and medical terminology, and serves as a primary liaison among patients, licensed independent practitioners, and other members of the support team. The role requires sensitivity to patients’ physical and emotional needs through communication, assessment, monitoring, and care. Participation in quality improvement, performance assessment, and continuing education is expected. The scope of practice includes performing ordered diagnostic ultrasound examinations; selecting appropriate frequencies and transducers; maintaining confidential records; applying patient-safety and ALARA principles; handling imaging orders and verifying consent; preparing and caring for patients before, during, and after procedures; performing venipuncture, starting and maintaining IV access, and preparing or administering medications when applicable and prescribed; evaluating image quality and identification; responding to emergencies; educating patients; mentoring learners; and participating in quality assurance. Cardiac Sonographer/Technologists perform or assist with ultrasound imaging exams independently or with minimal assistance, following physicians’ written orders, department protocols, and institutional safety standards. They represent VCU Health System’s goals, values, and vision, comply with applicable regulatory and organizational requirements, and resolve basic service-delivery issues. Lead technologists may coordinate assignments, workflow, and staffing for an assigned shift or area, serve as a clinical or technical resource, and provide training. Care is provided to patients of all ages, including infants, children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients. Work is in a fast-paced, noisy environment with frequent and intense customer interactions and multiple priorities. Shift rotations and schedules are set with the manager or supervisor and may change to meet staffing needs. Weekend and after-hours coverage may be required, and employees may be required to report to work under VCUHS policy. This is an essential-employee role.

Requirements

At least one year of previous work experience as a Cardiac Sonographer Technologist.
Certification at hire by ARDMS as RDCS (AE and/or PE), or by CCI as RCS or RCCS.
For continued employment, current RDCS (ARDMS), RCS, or RCCS (CCI) certification and Basic Life Support (BLS for Healthcare Providers).
Meet required education through one of the stated pathways: graduation from a sonography-specific allied health education program meeting certification requirements; graduation from a CAAHEP- or CMA-accredited cardiac sonography program; graduation from a minimum two-year JRC-accredited cardiac sonography program recognized by ARRT or JRC-DMS; or graduation from a bachelor’s degree program and holding at least one of the specified RDCS, RCS, or RCCS certifications.
Knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, pathology, and medical terminology.
Ability to exercise independent professional and ethical judgment and recognize patient conditions relevant to successful procedures.
Ability to communicate with, assess, monitor, and care for patients, including age-appropriate care across the lifespan.
Ability to lift 20–50 pounds.
Ability to perform prolonged standing and sitting, walking, repetitive motion, and prolonged computer interaction.
Strong recall, reasoning, problem-solving, hearing, clear speech, legible writing, reading, and logical thinking.
Ability to handle multiple priorities, frequent change, and frequent and intense customer interactions in a fast-paced, noisy environment.
Availability for schedule adjustments, shift rotations, and weekend or after-hours coverage as required by staffing needs.
May be required to report to work as an essential employee in accordance with VCUHS policy.

Nice To Haves

One to three years of previous work experience as a Cardiac Sonographer/Technologist.
Previous work experience in an academic medical center environment.
Bachelor’s degree in cardiac sonography.

Responsibilities

Perform diagnostic ultrasound examinations upon order of, or for interpretation by, a licensed independent practitioner.
Select appropriate ultrasonic frequencies and transducers for the area of interest.
Maintain records, protect confidentiality, and follow established policy.
Apply patient-safety principles during procedures, assistance, and patient transport.
Receive, relay, and document verbal, written, and electronic imaging orders in the patient’s medical record.
Corroborate the patient’s clinical history with the ordered procedure and ensure relevant information is documented and available to the licensed independent practitioner.
Verify informed consent and prepare patients for procedures.
Assume responsibility for patient needs before, during, and after procedures.
Apply ALARA principles to minimize exposure to the patient, self, and others.
Perform venipuncture and start or maintain intravenous access according to applicable procedural protocols and orders.
Identify, prepare, and/or administer medications associated with diagnostic imaging when prescribed and applicable.
Evaluate images for technical quality and ensure proper patient identification is recorded.
Identify and escalate emergencies and manage them until the appropriate response team or practitioner assumes control.
Provide patients with education related to imaging procedures.
Educate, mentor, and provide general oversight to students and other learners.
Participate in ongoing quality assurance and quality-improvement activities.
Perform or assist with ultrasound imaging exams independently or with minimal assistance, following written physician orders, department protocols, and institutional safety standards.
Comply with regulatory standards and applicable health system and department policies, procedures, processes, and guidelines.
Resolve basic service-delivery issues.
For lead technologist assignments, coordinate work assignments, workflow, and staffing; act as a clinical or technical resource; and provide training.