SUMMARY:

The Sonographer is responsible for performing diagnostic ultrasound examinations to assist physicians in diagnosing and treating medical conditions. This role requires technical expertise, patient care skills, and attention to detail to produce high-quality diagnostic images while ensuring patient comfort and safety. The Cardiac Sonographer obtains detailed, real time 2-D or 3-D images of the heart chambers, valves, and vessels using ultrasound technology. It is crucial that the sonographer has a thorough comprehension of cardiac pathology to recognize and distinguish abnormal pathologies from normal. Sonographers must also have a complete understanding and familiarity with the intricate computer driven sonography system, to capture the necessary digital images for the cardiologist to make proper interpretation. The echocardiogram is very “operator-dependent” and it is imperative the sonographer present the cardiologist with high quality images ??? Performs other related duties as assigned to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

The cardiac Sonographer is responsible for participating in daily operations of the Echocardiology Department, such as, but not limited to patient scheduling, equipment maintenance, report equipment failure, and quality assessment (QA).
 

The Cardiac Sonographer is expected to embrace Brown Health University (BHU) mission of “Delivering health with care” and successfully role model BHU’s values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another. 

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Performs clinical assessment and diagnostic echocardiography examinations-M-Mode, two-dimensional, Doppler and Color Doppler Echocardiography, Exercise Stress Echocardiograms and Dobutamine Stress Echocardiograms.
• Uses cognitive sonographic skills to identify, record, and adapt procedure as appropriate to anatomical, pathological, diagnostic information and images.
• Understand basic and complex hemodynamics. Possesses and understanding of wall motion abnormalities.
• Uses technical ability to properly position patients, correctly angulate the transducer and to optimally adjust machine controls, gain settings and frequency of different machine types, to provide the best resolution and cardiac ultrasound images possible.
• Performs accurate and thorough measurements and calculations, including wall thickness, chamber size, valve orifice, blood velocity measurements and pressure gradients across valve orifices.
• Obtains an appropriate patient medical history and maintains a clear understanding of the patient’s diagnosis and the goals and limits of each study. A thorough understanding of cardiac pathology is essential to ensure that proper and complete data is recorded.
• Provides quality cardiac ultrasound examinations on a varied adult population-patients who are elderly, patients in critical care units and patients with complex congenital heart anomalies.
• Uses independent judgment during the cardiac ultrasound to accurately differentiate normal and pathologic findings.
• Explains the procedure to patients to allay anxiety and to elicit cooperation, always maintaining a professional and friendly attitude. Is responsive to any special needs that may arise and assists patients appropriately.
• The sonographer’s daily workflow procedure is organized and efficient, which reduces waiting time and exam time for the patients, while still obtaining a complete and quality echocardiogram.
• Addresses problems of patient care as they arise and makes decisions to appropriately resolve the problems. Handels difficult patients and difficult situations appropriately and competently.
• Assumes responsibility for the safety, mental and physical comfort patients while they are in the sonographer’s care.
• Recognizes when the use of a contrast dye (Definity) and Agitated Saline is needed to obtain optimal images.
• Evaluates equipment malfunctions and speaks with the appropriate equipment representative. Reports any equipment failures to the appropriate supervisor or staff member.
• Performs All requested Cardiac Ultrasounds as ordered by the attending physician.
• Possess an interest and is active in the field of echocardiology and in the studies they perform.
• Identifies all patients by using the two reliable patient identifiers, patients’ name and date of birth.
• Sonographer may be asked to precept or take charge as needed.
• Is compliant with infection control policies and procedures.

Essential Functions of Cardiac Ultrasound Technologist (Charge Position)

• Assist with daily operations of the ECHO lab including and ensuring end-of-day responsibilities are completed.
• Assists the lead sonographer in maintaining ultrasound equipment and work area.
• Assists in maintaining adequate supplies for sonographers to perform high quality studies.
• Assists the lead sonographer with I.T issues that may arise regarding ECHO imaging.
• Is available to assist and answer questions from other sonographers or cardiologists regarding I.T issues or imaging.  
• Assists lead sonographer in maintaining accreditation with ICAEL.
• Assists in ensuring new hires have all information and tools necessary to perform high quality ECHO’s.
• Performs other work-related duties.
• Charge person is held accountable for following rules and guidelines set by the management team.
• Charge person must maintain good communication with staff and uphold highest standard of leadership.

BASIC KNOWLEDGE:

EXPERIENCE:

Minimal three.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Physical ability to assist in lifting and positioning patients, frequent walking, standing, pushing

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

None

Pay Range: 

Brown University Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.

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Driving Required:

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