PRN Sonographer

Position Summary

Within the Pediatric CardiologyEcho team, performand interpret studies and participate in teaching, evaluating, and advising cardiology fellows, residents, and medical students.

Position Responsibilities

• Review patient history and determine appropriateness of exam, modify exam protocol to answer specific diagnostic questions.
• Perform complex diagnostic ultrasonography procedures across multiple specialties requiring additional certification.
• Perform and analyze pediatric cardiac ultrasonography studies including M-mode, 2D, Color Doppler, 3D echocardiograms and fetal echocardiograms.
• Provide and maintain quality diagnostic ultrasound scans as accepted by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC).
• Effectively apply knowledge base of complex congenital heart lesions to echocardiographic imaging of patients from neonates, older children and adults, and fetal echocardiograms.
• Responsible for performing 3D echo studies of complex pediatric cardiac abnormalities.
• Responsible for delicate and careful handling of imaging sessions with very premature infants and critically ill children, including patients with imaging challenges - such as uncooperative or active children.
• Participate in tele-echo services.
• Provide preliminary interpretation and statistical information from scans to facilitate final diagnostic report.
• Provide guidance for sonographers who are performing complex procedures and require additional assistance to complete the procedure.
• Independently perform advanced sonography services or other tasks (e.g., interventional procedures, hold transducer etc.) delegated by the supervising physician, consistent with education, training, and facility protocols, policies, and procedures.
• May serve as a clinical technical lead/expert as it relates to their specialty accreditation or regulatory body (i.e.-Joint Commission).
• Assume responsibility for procedural tasks defined by the medical director during the sonography examination.
• Apply independent, professional, and ethical judgment and assistance in the sonography examination to ensure that appropriate anatomical, pathological, and clinical conditions are accurately captured in the examination images and during procedures.
• Consult with the interpreting physician regarding the ultrasound exam findings.
• Document exam information as required by departmental standards.
• Evaluate images of ultrasound exams and determine if the exam is of diagnostic quality.
• Serve as a resource for sonographers, fellows, residents and students and provide feedback about exam quality.
• Provide ultrasound guidance for providers during intraoperative and invasive procedures.
• Provide information and instructions to patient, patient's family or others, regarding the nature of requested diagnostic and/or therapeutic procedures.
• Perform patient care techniques including skin preparation, I.V. placement, vital sign monitoring and recording, and basic life support; prepare and administer contrast material to patients.
• Coordinate planning and scheduling of diagnostic procedures and imaging areas.
• Requisition and inventory supplies for imaging areas and procedures.
• Develop and maintain quality assurance testing in accordance with hospital, departmental and clinical unit standards.
• Maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students and the public.
• Instruct, evaluate, and advise sonography students on operation of diagnostic equipment.
• Instruct medical residents on operation of diagnostic equipment.
• Provide clinical educational opportunities by presenting case conferences and completing student competencies.
• Conduct formal and informal continuing education/in-service programs for staff and students; as assigned perform duties as an instructor in areas of specific competence.
• Provide orientation for new staff members.
• Develop new scanning protocols based on new technology or new applications for diagnostic ultrasound, instruct staff and students on new procedures.
• Demonstrate leadership by participation in special projects to develop workflow and technology to improve delivery of care.
• Responsible for conducting clinical investigational procedures to improve delivery of care.
• Determine equipment malfunctions and contact repair service.
• Perform equipment calibration and sterilization as prescribed by standard accepted methods of operation.
• On call coverage responsibilities performing pediatric echocardiography duties as needed.
• Obtain multiple certifications related to specialty area to expand skills to expert level.
• Maintain certification as specified by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education Requirements

• Completion of a two-year or more accredited health science program (i.e. Radiologic Technology, Medical Technology, Nursing, etc.) plus completion of a twelve-month formal education program in Sonography or

o CAAHEP accredited or equivalent program in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography or Vascular Technology, or

• 
  
  • Completion of a bachelor's degree plus completion of a twelve-month formal education program in Sonography
  
  

Experience Requirements

• Registration by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers within nine (9) months following the start of employment in the specialty area of Pediatric Cardiac Echocardiography
• Demonstrated understanding of cardiac physiology.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Highly Desired Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in Radiation Sciences is highly desirable.
• Registration by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers in the specialty area of Fetal Echocardiography. Not a requirement during application

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in performing fetal echocardiograms.
• Experience in performing pediatric echocardiograms.