Cardiac Sonographer

Under the general supervision of the Medical Director of the Echocardiography Lab and Director of Echocardiography with direct supervision by the Adult Echo Lab Supervisor, the Cardiac Sonographer performs and records routine echocardiographic ultrasound studies in accordance with departmental guidelines and protocols. Operates various types of ultrasound equipment, transducers, and adjunct devices on varied patient groups. Recognizes normal and pathological conditions and modifies the exam accordingly to ensure complete and accurate information is obtained. 

Prepares and positions patient for procedure by using established standards to achieve the highest quality image. Interprets acquired data and creates preliminary reports according to departmental procedures and job standards. Completes job duties with general clinical supervision. Works alongside other sonographer staff in a collegial manner to facilitate the completion of scheduled or ordered echocardiographic exams. Novice skillset in providing all clinical modalities offered in the UCSF Echo Lab. Contributes to the team dynamic through communication, initiative, and productivity.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Demonstrates ability to work independently with limited guidance in an outpatient clinic environment or an acute care hospital-based echo laboratory.
• Supports the inpatient services and outpatient ambulatory clinics with echocardiography studies for UCSF Health.
• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of ultrasound principles and theory, anatomy and pathology processes utilizing the most appropriate techniques 
• Performs ultrasound tests on inpatients, outpatients, research patients utilizing 2-dimensional, 3-dimensional, M-mode, spectral Doppler, color flow Doppler, tissue Doppler, strain imaging, speckle tracking, and other post-processing functionality at a novice level. 
• Performs stress echo exams (treadmill, supine bicycle, and dobutamine) once trained with leadership approval.
• Places peripheral intravenous catheters and administers ultrasound enhancement agents with leadership approval.
• Communicates effectively with patient to obtain history, explains purpose and procedure of each test to the patient answering questions about the process in a professional and friendly manner.
• Communicates professionally with staff, faculty, referring physicians, office personnel, and other individuals/organizations that utilize the laboratory services. 
• Completes a preliminary clinical report based on study findings. This includes data entry and analysis of study data into the standard format used by the lab. 
• May participate in limited teaching of fundamental echo principles and/or POCUS examination workflow to housestaff and/or ultrasound students. 

• OTHER FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Duties listed in this section are not essential or intrinsic to the job but are performed at times.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Covers additional UCSF sites as needed.

• May be asked to assist during interventional studies or transesophageal cases. 

• Acts as a department resource for other staff and departments.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Completion/graduation of an approved cardiac sonographer training program

• Flexibility in scheduling, ability to rotate shifts and coverage for weekends and holiday work at all UCSF Medical Center locations

• Previous experience performing adult cardiac echocardiograms

• Requires registry through ARDMS (RDCS) or CCI (RCCS, RCS) within 4 months of onboarding 

• Excellent communication skills

• Attention to detail

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION

• Graduate of a formal accredited ultrasound training program from an approved school

• Academic hospital experience

• Experience with congenital heart disease patients and/or HCM patients

• Prefer adult congenital, structural heart, heart and lung transplant, and advanced heart failure experience. Experience with VAD, ECMO, TAVR, Mitra-Clip, and other advanced therapies. 

• Prefer EPIC EMR and Syngo Dynamics system experience.