Cardiovascular Sonographer

INTEGRIS Health Edmond, Oklahoma’s largest not-for-profit health system has a great opportunity for a CV Sonographer in Edmond, OK.  In this position, you’ll work 7a-7p, PRN, with our Diagnostic Radiology team providing exceptional care to those who have entrusted INTEGRIS Health with their healthcare needs. If our mission of partnering with people to live healthier lives speaks to you, apply today, and learn more about our increased compensation plans and recently enhanced benefits package for all eligible caregivers such as front-loaded PTO, 100% INTEGRIS Health paid short-term disability, increased retirement match, and paid family leave. We invite you to join us as we strive to be The Most Trusted Partner for Health.

The Cardiovascular Sonographer is a trained medical imaging professional with an advanced understanding of echocardiography and vascular ultrasound. Cardiovascular Sonographers have an in depth understanding of the cardiovascular system including anatomy and pathophysiology to obtain diagnostic images and prepare preliminary reports for review and interpretation by the Cardiologist. The sonographer often works independently and may be required to take call, work weekends or holidays, as needed and asked to work at alternate sites.

Qualifications for the Cardiovascular Sonographer position include:

• Completion of an accredited medical sonography training program, and clinical experience in echocardiography is required. Experience and training in vascular is recommended.
• Current sonography students qualify if within 60 days of program completion.
• 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), and/or Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).
• The adult cardiac registry is required within 1 year of hire for all candidates.
• Pediatric echo registry recommended.
• Vascular registry is recommended or required within 2 year of hire depending on location.
• New graduates must be eligible to apply and test for specialty registry upon graduation.
• 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 used for documentation activities and report generation.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in English (verbal/written).

The Cardiovascular Sonographer core responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Reviews patient clinical history and correlative imaging prior to examination.
• Prepares exam room and patient for examination.
• Maintain patient privacy and confidentiality in accordance with privacy laws (e.g., HIPAA) and facility policies, and procedures.
• Explains procedure to the patient and communicates with the patient in a manner appropriate to the patient's ability to understand.
• Reviews daily exam worklist and prioritizes scanning order by acuity, scheduled time, special need or equipment availability.
• Assist with the daily operation of the sonography facility including stocking and supply maintenance.
• Provides patient services consistent with the Scope of Practice and Clinical Standards for the Diagnostic Sonographer.
• Provide emergent echocardiography or vascular services through on call rotation and weekends as required at home location.
• Participates in research studies as needed.
• Performs hand hygiene and equipment disinfection between patients.
• Practices standard precautions or the appropriate level of protective equipment based on the patients infectious disease status.
• The sonographer will be expected to perform exams independently and the types of sonograms will include the following but vary depending on location:

Performs Echocardiograms:

• Adult Echocardiograms
• Contrast Echocardiograms using ultrasound image enhancement agents
• Echocardiograms using agitated saline studies
• Pediatric and Neonatal Echocardiograms
• Stress Echocardiograms using exercise or pharmacological agents.
• Assists with Transesophageal Echocardiograms
• Performs Vascular Exams:
• Carotid Duplex
• Upper and Lower Extremity arterial duplex
• Upper and Lower Extremity venous doppler
• Saphenous Vein mapping
• Pre- Op vein mapping for hemodialysis access
• Post - Op hemodialysis graft assessment
• Venous ablations
• Segmental blood pressure, pulse volume recording (PVR), and photoplethysmography (PPG) exams on the upper and lower extremities.
• Abdominal vascular procedures including Aorta or Renal Duplex

Provides ultrasound guidance for invasive procedures:

• Pericardiocentesis
• Myocardial biopsy
• CV access guidance
• Assists with operative cases:
• TAVR
• Appendage closure device placement
• Mitral clips
• ASD/ PFO closure
• Provide sonographic guidance for Advanced Heart Failure:
• Mechanical circulatory support devices
• LVAD
• RVAD
• Impella
• Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
• Congestive Heart Failure Maintenance
• Heart Transplant management pre and post operative
• Perform 12 lead EKG
• Perform VO2 Exercise Testing (BMC Only).

EQUIPMENT USE AND MAINTENANCE:

• Applies physics and instrumentation principles to dynamically adjust ultrasound equipment and obtain optimal diagnostic images.
• Perform quality control procedures to ensure that the ultrasound equipment operates at optimal levels.
• Exercise responsibility to limit risk for physical damage to the ultrasound equipment.
• Assumes responsibility for equipment upkeep and notifies appropriate personal when malfunctions occur.
• Performs High level disinfection of equipment.

DOCUMENTATION AND REPORTING:

• Review examination images via the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) and prepares the preliminary report for Cardiologist review.
• Documents exam related information and procedural charges in the patient's Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
• Communicates with the interpreting cardiologist or appropriate caregiver when a critical or urgent need arises.
• Document any incidental findings that might impact patient safety or patient care and provide that information to the interpreting physician.

QUALITY ASSESSMENT/QUALITY IMPROVEMENT:

• Ensure that the sonography examination order is complete, contains relevant information, and meets the standard of medical necessity.
• 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.
• Follows departmental imaging protocols and when applicable complies with requirements of accreditation bodies such as IAC.
• Acquires additional ultrasound imaging to facilitate optimum diagnostic results for the interpreting physician as necessary.
• Identify and document any limitations to the sonography examination.
• Assists in the coordination and execution of routine quality assurance actions for ultrasound and departmental equipment.
• Completes required continuing medical education (CME).
• Completes all initial and annual required learning relevant to the role.
• Attends required Q.A. meetings & participates in quality improvement programs.

HEALTH CARE TEAM INTERACTION:

• Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with co-workers, administrators, and members of the health care team.
• Foster a collaborative atmosphere with other members of the healthcare team.
• Assist with the education and training of sonography students and new hires ? Provides sonographic services at other locations as needed.
• Utilizes time management skills and teamwork to maintain a balanced workload Reports to the departmental Manager or Director.

If applicable, accountable to department lead for shift scheduling, time card corrections and quality improvement. INTEGRIS Health is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All applicants will receive consideration regardless of membership in any protected status as defined by applicable state or federal law, including protected veteran or disability status. Exposed to moveable equipment, patients with contagious diseases, electrical equipment, ionizing radiation, and contamination or infection through accidental needle puncture or exposure to blood and/or body fluids. Occasional exposures to odor, blood, chemical irritation, and a variety of constant interruption, frequent emergency call back causing erratic working hours and overtime and works in a darkened room up to 60% of the time.