Job Description

Job Location BHI Bristol Hospital Main Campus - Bristol, CT 06010 Position Type Per Diem Education Level 2 Year Degree Job Shift Any

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.). We are Magnet ® and received the 2020 Press Ganey Leading Innovator award for our rapid adoption and implementation of healthcare solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Use your expertise, compassion, and kindness to transform the patient experience. Make a difference. Make Bristol Health your choice.

The Technical Director Cardiac Sonographer is a medical imaging professional that will provide direct guidance and coaching to the sonographer team, professional development of sonography team, & maintenance of the Quality Assurance program as defined by IACEL (International Accreditation Commision of Echocardiography Labs) 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.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:

Performs complex diagnostic procedures to assess cardiac and circulatory functions

• Overseeing Daily Operations: Managing workflow, assigning tasks, and ensuring that procedures are done efficiently and correctly.
• Reviews inpatient and outpatient schedules, providers orders and patient medical history.
• 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..
• Prepares all labs and ultrasound equipment to conduct exams while maintaining patient privacy and is in accordance with established infection control standards.
• Training and Mentorship: Assisting in the training of new staff, providing ongoing education, and mentoring less experienced technologists
• Utilizes proper positioning and safety for patients while minimizing risk of musculoskeletal injury to self
• Provides patient services consistent with scope of practice and clinical standards for the diagnostic sonographer
• Primary mentor for all internal and external students enrolled in the sonography program.
• Performs transthoracic and trans esophageal echocardiograms, stress echo’s, 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 TTE’s 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 patients through the duration of this stress test. Collaborates with the 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 control/Quality improvement.

• Performs daily controls to validate that ultrasound equipment is functioning properly
• Collaborates with PACS administrator with all software upgrades and exam exceptions
• Maintains self and staff competency for all new equipment and TEE probe disinfection protocols
• Assumes responsibility for preventive maintenance program in lab
• Provides education and training to sonographers in the utilization of new equipment and scanning techniques
• Facilitates preventative maintenance with the Biomedical Engineering team and supervisor
• Collaborates with system administrators on device and server upgrades and maintenance.
• Maintains all quality indicators as defined by IAC
• Prepares quarley QI summary for presentation at Cardiology Section meetings
• Coordinates quality Echo case conferences with Medical Director and records minutes
• Prepares all requirement for lab accreditation
• Assists in CME requirements for all physicians and staff

Provides proper record keeping and required documentation

• Assures all staff is compliant with critical findings policy
• Promotes rapid transmission of completed studies
• Assists with FAST TRACK/Ambulatory orders results protocol
• Maintains daily log books
• Provides oversight of the system management for the Picture Archiving and Communication System PACS
• Participates in quality assurance data for sonographers and Cardiologists.
• Annual record of AUC for 30 consecutive patients in the lab.

Other Responsibilities

• Assist with onboarding new technological staff
• Participating in the hiring process and performance evaluation.
• Delegates duties to appropriate unit personnel as necessary.
• Reviews revenue and expenses on a monthly basis (budget compared to actual) and recommends areas of growth and areas to reduce expenses if needed.
• Scheduling and Staffing: Responsible for coordination shifts, managing time-off requests, and ensuring that the department is adequately staffed. Also, schedules staff to minimize the use of overtime.

Performs related duties.

• Acknowledges and documents in the patient's EHR in accordance with established protocol.
• Maintains equipment and work areas in clean and orderly condition.
• As required, transports patients on stretchers or wheelchairs to and from the examining room and other areas.
• Initiates emergency procedures within authorized limits, as required.
• Maintains adequate supplies and equipment for the test.
• (+) Assists with training and orientation of new employees.
• Participates in quarterly Echo conferences and in-services.
• Maintains appropriate CME’s 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

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 five years 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 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.