Cardiovascular Sonographer

J  o  b    D  e  s  c  r  i  p  t  i  o  n

JOB INFORMATION

Effective Date:

10/1/2022

Entity:

Wisconsin

Job Code:

610010

Job Title:

Cardiovascular Sonographer

FLSA Exemption Status:

Non-Exempt

Management Level:

Individual Contributor

JOB SUMMARY

The Cardiovascular Sonographer independently performs professional level assessments and a variety of non-invasive studies using ultrasound and related diagnostic technology as appropriate and records the results and clinical preliminary impressions as indicated.  The results of these exams are used to direct the course of patient care.  The sonographer encounters difficult problems related to examination evaluations daily and must resolve them with limited supervision. There is daily contact with professionals and families.

This position is a full performance Cardiovascular Sonographer with advanced knowledge of cardiac and peripheral vascular anatomy, physiology, and disease. All examinations are performed within standard protocols on adults, and occasionally on adolescents and pediatric age groups.  The sonographer performs examinations in a variety of settings using both stationary and portable equipment; predominately working in the HVC Non-Invasive Diagnostic Testing Laboratory the Cath and EP Labs, and inpatient units. 

The sonographer assists with transthoracic echo, transesophageal and stress testing; dobutamine, treadmill exercise stress echo, and bicycle ergometry, as well as peripheral non-invasive testing, carotid and transcranial duplex, aorta, and renal duplex scans.  

The sonographer serves as a clinical instructor for the UW School of Ultrasound, and participates in the instruction of fellows, residents, and visiting physicians. The sonographer may also participate in clinical research, and acts as a clinical resource to staff at their own facility and throughout the system.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

•

Place EKG leads in appropriate positions for cardiac monitoring during examinations.

•

Use both color flow and spectral Doppler to accurately evaluate cardiac stenotic and regurgitant lesions, and intracardiac shunts and other hemodynamically significant lesions.

•

Respond to emergency examinations in the department and in the hospital setting to intensive care units, other nursing wards, emergency room, cardiac cath lab, and operating room.

•

Evaluate the hemodynamic significance of various cardiac disease states using all imaging modalities available in accordance with the department’s protocols

•

Calculate measurements of echocardiographic structures and Doppler signals, deriving the appropriate indices pertinent to each patient.

•

Operate ultrasound system and assist exercise physiologist and RN during dobutamine and stress echocardiography.

•

Perform contrast administration and agitated saline bubble studies. When needed initiate IV placement.

•

Inform interpreting physician if an abnormal finding and/or a hemodynamically significant change is present from previous examination.

•

Process patient and submit final data.

•

Perform diagnostic vascular examinations according to standardized laboratory protocols; deviating from normal techniques when necessary to provide the best possible results.

•

Perform diagnostic vascular examinations, recognizing the significance of all structures that are visualized, differentiating artifacts from appropriate structures, while recognizing the limitations of equipment and utilizing knowledge of anatomy and physiology.

•

Perform non-invasive arterial Doppler studies utilizing segmental pressures, volume pulse recordings and Doppler waveform patterns at various levels in the arms and legs with occasional treadmill testing to evaluate arterial circulation.

•

Perform venous examinations of arms and legs with Doppler and color duplex scanning using compression maneuvers and imaging, for detection of deep vein thrombosis, superficial thrombophlebitis and/or valvular incompetence, which may include mapping of the superficial veins for size and depth.

•

Perform carotid duplex examinations to evaluate blood flow and plaque characteristics in the carotid and vertebral arteries with both real time imaging and spectral analysis using color capabilities.

•

Perform other vascular examinations using color duplex and Doppler to help the physicians assess, diagnose and treat aortic aneurysms, thoracic outlet syndrome, popliteal entrapment, Raynaud’s syndrome, renal artery stenosis, bypass graft patency, dialysis fistula/graft patency and post-operative angioplasties and stentings.

•

Identify pseudoaneurysms and arterial-venous fistulas with duplex scanning. Under direction, manually apply ultrasound-guided compressions to occlude abnormality.

•

Assist the physician with thrombin injections of pseudoaneurysms, intra-operative scanning, gathering necessary materials and equipment, and properly disposing of used equipment and supplies. Observes sterile fields and techniques used in the operating room.

•

Review patient’s medical record to obtain necessary clinical information including patient history, lab results, and physician orders. Obtains necessary clinical information from patients and compares requisitions to physicians' orders to ensure exam accuracy.

•

Communicate to patient and family members in a timely and thorough manner that enhances the patient experience and promotes learning to understand procedures, symptoms, and to support health care outcomes.

•

Communicate pertinent patient information to physicians and appropriate team members including abnormal findings and changes in test results from previous examinations.

•

Prepare written preliminary impressions of tests performed.

•

Provide emergency care for patients using the basic support protocols until a CODE team or EMR professional response team arrives.

•

Request work orders for maintenance of equipment to provide optimal working condition. Order and replace supplies used. Keep exam area and procedure room stocked and clean.

•

Accurately process data needed to complete the report template in the electronic reporting tool.

•

Accurately complete billing for the procedures being completed.

•

Identify and assist in developing and reviewing patient education material.

•

Assist with the training and orientation of other technologists as well as ultrasound students, medical students, residents, fellows and nursing students.

•

Meet continuing medical education requirements according to the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers.

•

Provide instructions to ultrasound students from the UW School of Ultrasound.

•

Attend local, regional and national conferences to obtain up-to-date testing techniques.

•

Cooperate in data collection for research activities.

•

Identify actual or potential care problems and report to research coordinator.

•

Participate in utilization of quality care study recommendations.

•

Utilize clinical research findings to identify various intervention techniques or procedures that may need modification.

•

Learn about new equipment that may be added for diagnostic use and understand the equipment functions.

As needed, additional responsibilities reasonably within the scope of duties and physical requirements may be assigned.  ALL DUTIES AND REQUIREMENTS MUST BE PERFORMED CONSISTENT WITH THE UW HEALTH PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND RESPECT FOR PEOPLE COMMITTMENTS.

X

Clinical

Will provide all patients age and culturally appropriate assessment/screening and interpretation of clinical and laboratory data. Develops and implements age appropriate interventional plans of care including education within the parameters of their position responsibilities and licensure

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Graduate of an ultrasonography program and/or registered by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographer (ARDMS) or Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI)

Required

Completion of a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited ultrasonography training program or related field

Preferred

Bachelor's Degree

in Ultrasonography, Radiology, Biological Sciences or a relevant health sciences field

Preferred

2 years

of cardiovascular imaging experience

Preferred

Registered in echocardiography and vascular ultrasound (RCS or RDCS and RVT or RVS)

Upon Hire

Required

Basic Life Support/CPR

Upon Hire

Required

LICENSE, CERTIFICATIONS, AND REGISTRATIONS MUST BE MAINTAINED PER UW HEALTH POLICY. 

•

Demonstrate advanced knowledge of cardiac anatomy, physiology, and disease.

•

Ability to operate ultrasound equipment utilizing a variety of possible techniques, including M-mode, two-dimensional, pulsed and continuous wave Doppler flow mapping.

•

Ability to perform examinations, recognizing the significance of all structures that are visualized, differentiating artifacts from appropriate images, while recognizing the limitations of equipment and utilizing knowledge of anatomy and physiology.

•

Ability to perform echo and vascular sonography studies including complex studies: stress echocardiography, dobutamine echocardiography, and transesophageal echocardiography examinations.

•

Demonstrate flexibility performing tests/scans in a variety of clinical environments.

•

Ability to educate patients and families of safe and appropriate testing; thoroughly explaining procedures, answering questions and calming concerns.

•

Ability to make knowledgeable clinical assessments and judgments.

•

Ability to use and apply clinical research findings to identify various intervention techniques or procedures that may need modification.

•

Ability to maintain composure under stress, using tact and good judgment.

•

Demonstrate analytical decision-making skills; ability to quickly assess and resolve technical and patient care problems.

•

Ability to select the proper transducer frequency tests performed.

•

Ability to work both independently and as a care team member.

•

Ability to interact professionally and develop effective relationships.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS

☐

Sedentary: Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and occasionally lifting or carrying articles like docket files, ledgers, and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required occasionally and other sedentary criteria are met.

Up to 10#

Negligible

Negligible

☐

Light: Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Even though the weight lifted may be very little, a job is in this category when it requires a good deal of walking or standing, or when it involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls. To be considered capable of performing a full or wide range of light work, you must have the ability to do substantially all of these activities. If someone can do light work, we determine that they can also do sedentary work, unless there are additional limiting factors such as loss of fine dexterity or inability to sit for long periods of time.

up to 20#

Up to 10# or requires significant walking or standing or requires pushing/pulling of arm/leg controls.

Negligible or constant push/pull of items of negligible weight

☒

Medium: Medium work involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds. If someone can do medium work, we determine that they can also do sedentary and light work.

20-50#

10-25#

Negligible-10#

☐

Heavy: Heavy work involves lifting no more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds. If someone can do heavy work, we determine that they can also do medium, light, and sedentary work.

50-100#

25-50#

10-20#

☐

Very Heavy: Very heavy work involves lifting objects weighing more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing 50 pounds or more. If someone can do very heavy work, we determine that they can also do heavy, medium, light, and sedentary work.

Over 100#

Over 50#

Over 20#

Other - list any other physical requirements or bona fide occupational qualifications not indicated above:

Over 50 lbs.

UW Health does not require, nor does it expect that its employees lift more than 50 lbs unassisted. Objects in excess of 50 lbs should be lifted or moved with mechanical means or through a team lift. Employees in patient care areas are expected to utilize mechanical lifts and adhere to the "Use of Mechanical Lifts (Liko)" policy in the Patient Services Policy and Procedure Manual.

Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.

THE EMPLOYEE MUST BE ABLE TO COMPLETE ALL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB WITH OR WITHOUT AN APPROVED ACCOMODATION. Note: The purpose of this document is to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel so classified; it is not intended to serve as an inclusive list of all responsibilities associated with this position.