PRN Echo Tech (Cardiac Sonographer)

Wellstar Health System•Austell, GA

19h•Onsite

About The Position

At Wellstar, the mission is to enhance the health and well-being of every person served. Wellstar is a leading example in healthcare, driven by professionals dedicated to making a difference. The PRN Echo Tech (Cardiac Sonographer) operates under the guidance of a Manager or Lead/Chief Sonographer, performing all cardiac imaging, which may include adult, pediatric, transesophageal (including structural heart), and stress echocardiograms. Responsibilities include performing measurements and calculations according to laboratory protocols, providing preliminary findings to interpreting Physicians, and ensuring the safety and well-being of patients in the Echo department. The role requires effective communication with patients and the healthcare team. Cardiac Sonographers may also administer Ultrasound Enhancing Agents (UEA) and saline bubble studies. This position involves taking call and working weekends and holidays on a rotating basis. Wellstar is one of Georgia’s largest and most integrated healthcare systems, with over 24,000 team members committed to personalized care. The company's vision is to deliver world-class healthcare every time, guided by values of compassion, excellence, and honoring every voice. Wellstar maintains a culture of excellence, recognized nationally for its high-quality care and inclusive environment, and has been featured on FORTUNE’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list.

Requirements

High School Diploma General or GED General
ARDMS – Registered Medical Sonographer or RCS – Reg Cardiac Sonographer – CCI or RDCS – Reg Diag Cardiac Sonographer or RDCS‑AE – Reg Diag Card Sono Adult Echo
BLS – Basic Life Support or ARC‑BLS – Amer Red Cross Basic Life Support or BLS‑I – Basic Life Support – Instructor
Exhibit excellent communication skills (verbal and written) for frequent interactions with physicians, patients, visitors, departmental staff and nursing staff.
Ability to obtain, present and discuss clinical information regarding job responsibilities on a routine basis.
Ability to explain or give directions to maintain goodwill and obtain cooperation with all contacts.
Possess the ability to function independently and under pressure while still actively participating in a team environment.
Exhibit excellent customer service skills at all times.
Be able to perform effectively in a stressful and fast paced work environment.
Have the ability to prioritize appropriately.
Be detail oriented and have the capacity to effectively multitask throughout the work shift.
Have excellent communication skills and the capacity to interact professionally with a variety of customers, including but not limited to patients, families, co‑workers, volunteers, and physicians throughout the work shift.
Possess the ability to function independently, yet productively as a cooperative team member with various work teams associated with the position.
Be compliant, with a willingness to follow all Hospital policies as well as the established practices, protocols and procedures of the position, department and applicable professional standards.
Be flexible with work hours to meet department needs.
Be dependable, accountable and cooperative.
Have the knowledge and ability to obtain a quality diagnostic study properly and safely.
Be responsible for performing a wide variety of technical procedures requiring independent judgment, ingenuity and initiative in the utilization of equipment for the diagnosis and/or treatment of diseases.
Be able to independently perform job functions.
Set up the equipment to provide imaging service and position patient for the procedure.
Be competent in all aspects of Cardiac Ultrasound, patient positioning, exposure factors.
Understand anatomy and pathology and how they affect the quality of a procedure.

Nice To Haves

Trade School Diploma/Degree Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Minimum 1 year experience in echocardiography
Graduate of a formal Diagnostic Medical Sonography program
Graduate of an accredited Cardiovascular Technology program

Responsibilities

Verify proper clinician order for procedure.
Obtain complete clinical history, gather examination data and assess for contraindicating conditions.
Follow established procedures for the administration of UEAs, so that no patient condition deteriorates, and no patient suffers undue pain, due to error or poor technique.
Ensure that all studies have proper patient identification.
Review ultrasound images for clinically acceptable results and release patients.
Assist other team members in all modalities when needed.
Observe patient condition and properly evaluate situations when physician intervention is necessary so that no patient condition deteriorates.
Verify correct identity of patient using 2 unique identifiers prior to performing a procedure per hospital policy and procedure.
Ensure patient's privacy and comfort is accommodated.
Maintain patients dignity throughout the exam/procedure.
Demonstrate competence in the determination and application of appropriate procedures, equipment, supplies and techniques based on the age of patients.
Organize schedule, time and priorities so that required activities are accomplished within designated time frames.
Follow physicians instructions when assisting with procedures and exams.
Use critical thinking skills.
Dialog with patient/family.
Ask clarifying questions.
Seek clarification on ambiguous orders.
Understand, demonstrate and document preprocedural verification and Time Out process when appropriate.
Demonstrate and understand pre‑and‑post procedural care.
Prep the patient for the procedure.
Patiently and clearly explain purpose and nature of exam to patient prior to starting procedure, so as to minimize anxiety and facilitate cooperation using AIDET; Acknowledge, Introduce, Duration, Explain, and Thank you of all patients and family members.
Ensure that patient's questions, concerns or contraindications are satisfactorily addressed, notifying physician when this cannot be accomplished, prior to the initiation of the procedure.
Participate in the orientation and training of departmental employees.
Provide patients with preparatory instruction and explanation of procedures.
Ensure required documentation is concise, legible and includes precise terminology.
Read email each day scheduled to work and follow through with assignment.
Complete mandatory departmental and Hospital‑wide education without prompting.
Ensure that equipment is fully operational prior to each use, by checking for proper calibration and operating deficiencies.
Send all studies to PACS immediately after completion, print CDs as needed.
Follow infection control policies.
Restock linens and supplies, and maintain the department in clean and orderly condition.
Transport patients, position patients, and help them on and off procedure table.
Perform patient charging activities on the day the service is rendered.
Willingly lend knowledge and assistance to others upon request as needed and routinely as time is available, without prompting, so that all working time is used for departmental advantage.
Perform routine duties of clerical and support personnel in accordance with procedure when warranted to ensure continuity and quality of services.
Keep supervisor informed on all responsibilities on an ongoing basis, ensuring prompt notification in the event of problems or potential problems.
Maintain an individual productivity rate equal to other co‑workers.
Operate all work stations associated with the US department.
Push / retrieve images from the Ultrasound console to PACS.
Maintain Joint Commission standards and any other regulatory agency standards.
Take call when necessary.
Report problems regarding malfunctioning equipment to supervisor or service provider, so that problem can be corrected in a timely manner.
Clean, disinfect and maintain equipment in accordance with infection control policy and department cleaning schedule.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Comply with all Wellstar Health System policies, standards of work, and code of conduct.
Assist with providing safe, age appropriate care to the patient by performing all exams provided by the department per department procedures.
Possess the knowledge and ability to obtain a quality diagnostic study properly and safely.
Be responsible for performing a wide variety of technical procedures requiring independent judgment, ingenuity and initiative in the utilization of equipment for the diagnosis and/or treatment of diseases.
Be able to independently perform job functions.
Set up the equipment to provide imaging service and position patient for the procedure.
Be competent in all aspects of Cardiac Ultrasound, patient positioning, exposure factors.
Understand anatomy and pathology and how they affect the quality of a procedure.