At Bristol Health we begin each day caring today for your tomorrow. We have been an integral part of our community for the past 100 years. We are dedicated to providing the best possible care and service to our patients residents and families. We are committed to provide compassionate quality care at all times and to uphold our values of Communication Accountability Respect and Empathy (C.A.R.E.). Use your expertise compassion and kindness to transform the patient experience. Make a difference. Make Bristol Health your choice. Performs complex diagnostic procedures and echocardiographic tests including M-Mode 2-dimensional cardiac doppler and color flow studies to assess the cardiac as well as the circulatory functions of the body. Assists with orientation and training of new staff. Carries out emergency procedures within authorized limitations. Maintains required records and files. Adheres to all principles of patient identification universal precautions and universal protocol. Maintains all required elements of ICAEL accreditation for technical protocol and quality assurance for the lab.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

Performs complex diagnostic procedures to assess cardiac and circulatory functions.

• Receives order for designated procedures. Obtains required pertinent information including patient history medications and clinical indication for test in accordance to established appropriate use criteria guidelines.
• Performs transthoracic and trans esophageal echocardiograms stress echos and studies that include the use of agitated saline injections and contrast administration to optimize imaging quality for the interpreting Cardiologist.
• Adheres to all technical components for performing adult TTEs in accordance with established ICAEL standards.
• Adheres to all technical components for performing an adult TEE in accordance with established ICAEL standards.
• Adheres to established protocol for probe disinfection storage and maintenance.
• Adheres to all technical components of performing and acquiring images for patients undergoing a stress echo in accordance with established ICAEL standards. Observes patient through the duration of this stress test. Collaborates with team and provider conducting the stress test. Responsible for the test explanation and adequate skin prepping and electrode placement pre-exam.
• Adherence to the established protocol for the ordering and administration of all contrast agents.

Maintains communication.

• Explains procedures to be performed to each patient. Gives preparatory instructions. Provides reassurance to anxious patients.
• Collaborates with Cardiology RN and all technologists to optimize patient throughput and safety.
• Communicates any delays to patients and the care team.
• Adheres to established critical result policies.

Performs quality controls.

• Periodically tests and checks instruments to assure proper working order.
• Facilitates preventative maintenance with the Biomedical Engineering team and supervisor.
• Collaborates with system administrator/manager on device and server upgrades and maintenance.

Provides proper record keeping and required document

• Maintains daily log manuals of patients and tests performed.
• Participates in quality assurance data for sonographers and Cardiologists.
• Annual record of AUC for 30 consecutive patients in the lab.

Performs related duties.

• Acknowledges and documents in patients EHR in accordance to established protocol.
• Maintains equipment and work areas in clean and orderly condition.
• As required transports patients on stretchers or wheelchairs to and from examining room and other areas.
• Initiates emergency procedures within authorized limits as required.
• Assists clerical support staff with scheduling record keeping and related duties.
• Maintains adequate supplies and equipment for test.
• () Assists with training and orientation of new employees.
• Participates in quarterly Echo conferences and in-services.
• Maintains appropriate CMEs for certification
• Attends 66% of staff meetings.
• Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities duties and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed.

Qualifications

Educational / Minimum Requirements:

High School Diploma and graduate of an approved Echocardiography program.

State/Federal Mandated Licensure or Certification Requirements:

Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer(RDCS)

Bristol Hospital Mandated Educational Requirements:

General orientation at time of hire. Fire/Safety/Infection Control annually. Other programs as mandated by the Hospital.

Special Requirements:

Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer by CCI (Cardiovascular Credentialing Center) or American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) preferred one year experience.

Physical Requirements:

On feet most of the day with lifting greater than 50 lbs. occasionally and up to 35 lbs. routinely. Physical agility including but not limited to bending stooping walking reaching standing pulling pushing and twisting. Hearing and sight corrected to normal.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities duties and skills required. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed.