Cardiac Sonographer

Cardiac Sonographer

Location: CHA Everett Hospital & Cambridge Hospital

Work Days: 40 hours M-F

Category: Allied Health

Department: Heart Station

Job Type: Full time

Work Shift: Day

Hours/Week: 40.00

Union: Yes

Union Name: CH Laborers 380

10k sign on bonus for newly hired Staff

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION:

The CHA Cardio-vascular department, under the direction of the Cardiology Medical Director and Network Cardiovascular Manager provides a variety of diagnostic testing services, including Stress Tests, Cardiac ultrasound, vascular testing, event and holter monitors.

Summary:

The Lead Sonographer role and responsibilities includes: professional development oversight of sonography staff, quality data collection to maintain accreditation, oversight of staff and patient schedules. The Lead Sonographer activities are performed consistent with their education and training, and in accordance with facility policies and procedures and applicable professional standards.

Responsibilities:

Prepare exam room and ultrasound equipment to conduct sonography examinations in accordance with infectious disease, sterilization, and patient safety protocols, policies, and procedures.

Assume responsibility for the safety of the patient during the sonographic examination.

Review patient medical history and supporting clinical information.

Ensure that the sonography examination order is complete, contains relevant information, and meets the standard of medical necessity.

Evaluate any contraindications, insufficient patient preparation, and the patients inability or unwillingness to tolerate the examination and associated procedures.

Communicate with the patient in a manner appropriate to the patients ability to understand.

Use proper patient positioning tools, devices, equipment adjustment, and ergonomically correct scanning techniques to ensure patient comfort and safety, and to prevent compromised data acquisition or musculoskeletal injury to the sonographer.

Conduct patient clinical assessment and perform the diagnostic medical sonography examination ordered by the supervising physician in accordance with professional and facility protocols.

Apply independent, professional, ethical judgment, and critical thinking to safely perform diagnostic sonography procedures.

Apply independent judgment during the sonography examination to ensure that appropriate anatomical, pathological, and clinical conditions are accurately captured in the examination images.

As necessary, acquire additional ultrasound imaging to facilitate optimum diagnostic results for the interpreting physician.

Identify and document any limitations to the sonography examination.

Review examination images, synthesize examination results, and prepare preliminary findings.

Except as authorized by written facility policies and procedures, refer specific diagnostic, treatment or prognosis questions to the appropriate physician or healthcare professional.

Maintain patient privacy and confidentiality in accordance with privacy laws (e.g., HIPAA) and facility policies, and procedures.

Adhere to accepted professional and ethical standards.

Provide patient services consistent with the Scope of Practice and Clinical Standards for the Diagnostic Sonographer.

Provide preliminary reports of sonography examinations for use by the interpreting physician.

Assist with the daily operation of the sonography facility.

Other Responsibilities:

Support the interpreting physician by contributing technical impressions and professional knowledge to facilitate the completion of the final diagnostic report. EQUIPMENT USE AND MAINTENANCE Primary Responsibilities

Perform quality control procedures to ensure that the ultrasound equipment operates at optimal levels.

Exercise responsibility to ensure that the ultrasound equipment is functioning accurately.

Ensure that appropriate ultrasound equipment is secured and provide opportunities for staff input during the equipment selection and purchasing process.

Provide education and training to sonographers in the utilization of new equipment features/benefits and scanning techniques.

DOCUMENTATION AND REPORTING

Primary Responsibilities:

Document any incidental findings that might impact patient safety or patient care and provide that information to the interpreting physician.

Exercise responsibility for the maintenance and accuracy of facility reports, database records and logs.

Provide oversight of the system management for the Viewpoint (Data Management Software System)

SUPERVISION AND MANAGEMENT

Primary Responsibilities Provide general supervision and evaluation of the sonographer staff.

Ensure staff compliance with clinical and operational protocols, policies, and procedures.

Ensure that sonographers have timely access to supplies and logistical support.

Exercise responsibility for the direct supervision of staff sonographers.

Exercise responsibility for the day-to-day operation of sonography services within the facility.

Provide input for the performance assessment of staff sonographers.

Assist the Sonography Manager with the orientation and training of new staff.

Assist with the direction and guidance for departmental workflow.

Assist with workload scheduling.

Assist the Director with the preparation and management of the facility budget.

Other Responsibilities

Assist with planning new staff orientation and training.

Assist Sonography Manager to ensure that staff professional education requirements are met and maintained, including applicable licensure, certification, and/or accreditation standards.

Assist with developing new approaches for patient care services.

QUALITY ASSESSMENT/QUALITY IMPROVEMENT

Primary Responsibilities

Ensure that the sonography examination results meet the facility standard for Quality Assurance before findings are released for interpretation.

Provide oversight for the assessment of sonography examinations performed within the facility for technical and image quality, and accuracy.

Function as the clinical, technical leader/expert in sonography imaging within the facility.

Submit quarterly quality data to the IAC - Intersocietal Accreditation Commission for Echocardiography as required to maintain accreditation.

HEALTH CARE TEAM INTERACTION

Primary Responsibilities

Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with co-workers, administrators, and members of the health care team.

Other Responsibilities:

Assist with the education and training of sonography students and physician residents.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Extensive sonography education, training, and experience in the specialty area(s) to be performed.
Extensive clinical experience in providing sonography services and demonstrated ability to mentor and support staff sonographers.
Demonstrated competence in the specialty area(s) to be performed, including sonographer certification by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), or Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).
Demonstrated commitment to professional growth and lifelong learning (e.g., continuing medical education in the specialty area(s) performed, higher education, research, staff training, etc.).
Demonstrated proficiency with computer skills and software programs for documentation activities and report generation.

In keeping with federal, state and local laws, Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) policy forbids employees and associates to discriminate against anyone based on race, religion, color, gender, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to establishing and maintaining a workplace free of discrimination. We are fully committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not tolerate unlawful discrimination in the recruitment, hiring, termination, promotion, salary treatment or any other condition of employment or career development. Furthermore, we will not tolerate the use of discriminatory slurs, or other remarks, jokes or conduct, that in the judgment of CHA, encourage or permit an offensive or hostile work environment.

Cambridge Health Alliance brings Care to the People - including your neighbors, friends and family. Our local hospitals and care centers serve our vibrant, diverse communities, and play an integral role in improving health. As passionate advocates for the underserved, we actively partner with our communities to take on challenging public health issues, and conduct important research to help reduce barriers to care. We believe that everyone deserves access to high quality, convenient health care. This is why our employees believe in where they work and why many build long, rewarding careers at CHA.

Healthcare is changing rapidly. CHA has a strategic plan that charts a proactive course for our future. It is built on a vision of equity and excellence for everyone, every time. It also recognizes that our workforce is our most valuable asset and prioritizes competitive salaries, benefits and professional development opportunities for employees. The strategic plan is changing the way we provide care and improving the health and experience of our patients; we are looking for smart, committed, compassionate people who want to be part of making our vision of better health and equity a reality.

At CHA, you can believe in where you work and go home every day knowing you made a difference. Join our team and help us bring Care to the People.