Ultrasonographer (Vascular Cardiology)

GENESIS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
In order to fill our Mission of serving our community by helping each person achieve optimal health and well-being by providing compassionate, exceptional, and affordable healthcare services, all employees of Genesis HealthCare System must be committed to living the Genesis Mission and Genesis values of Compassion, Excellence, Integrity, Team, and Innovation. All employees must regard themselves as an ‘owner’ of Genesis and keep our patients at the center of everything we do - always.
Position Details:
Work Shift:
Day Shift (United States of America)
Scheduled Weekly Hours:
40
Department:
Vein Center
Overview of Position:
Performs diagnostic cardiac and/or vascular ultrasound exams on assigned patients in an efficient and caring manner in order to provide data for the diagnosis of a wide variety of medical problems. Evaluates exams for diagnostic quality while using professional judgment in the performance of services.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
1. Effectively uses functions of the hospital information system (HIS), cardiovascular information system, and other information systems to process and review appropriate patient information and studies (Order entry, registration, etc.).
2. Operates medical diagnostic ultrasound equipment to complete a variety of procedures including cardiac and vascular as appropriate; effectively and safely operates related medical / patient monitoring & support equipment; assures satisfactory working order of equipment and makes appropriate contacts for troubleshooting.
3. Consistently produces quality diagnostic exams, individualizing technical factors, scanning parameters and patient positioning as required by each procedure.
4. Demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide basic care for the patient population of pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric patients.
5. Assumes “call status” as necessary during off hours for emergency procedures.
6. Maintains knowledge of criteria and demonstrates appropriate intervention for urgent abnormal echos or vascular studies that would change the patient care plan (i.e. documents appropriately, informs appropriate staff, informs cardiologist or vascular surgeon)
7. Applies appropriate criteria for the use of image enhancing agents as well as the ability to complete the following specialty studies, acquiring appropriate images in a timely manner: Stress Echocardiography, TEE, and pacemaker studies.
8. Participates in clinical training of ultrasound students and new employees by providing instruction, supervision and evaluation.
DEFINITIONS:
1. CCI - Cardiovascular. Credentialling International
2. ARDMS - American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
3. SPI – Sonography Principles and Instrumentation
4. RDCS – Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
5. RCS - Registered Cardiac Sonographer
6. RVT – Registered Vascular Technologist
7. RVS – Registered Vascular Specialist
8. PE – Pediatric Echocardiography
9. AE, PE – Adult Echocardiography, Pediatric Echocardiography
10. RN – Registered Nurse
11. CCEP – Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist
QUALIFICATIONS – Level 1
1. High school graduate or equivalent.
2. One year or greater independent clinical ultrasound experience.
3. Credentialing in an appropriate specialty by the ARDMS or CCI.
3.1. Acceptable credentials include RDCS, RCS, RVT or RVS.
4. Current American Heart Association - CPR Health Care Provider
5. Ability to communicate well in an oral and written manner.
6. Ability to demonstrate good interpersonal skills and ability to relate closely with patients.
7. Ability to demonstrate patience, judgment, imagination, and initiative.
QUALIFICATIONS – Level 2 (Current pay scale plus $2.00/hour)
1. High school graduate or equivalent.
2. Credentialing in an appropriate specialty by the ARDMS of CCI
2.1. Acceptable credentials include RDCS, RCS, RVT or RVS
3. Ability to communicate well in an oral and written manner.
4. Ability to demonstrate good interpersonal skills and ability to relate closely with patients.
5. Ability to demonstrate patience, judgment, imagination, and initiative.
6. Cross train in second specialty
7. Acquire and maintain a second credentialling through the ARDMS or CCI
7.1. Employee will be provided cross training hours based on staffing availability for a period
up to a period of 12 months.
8. Within sixty days of training completion, candidate must pass appropriate exams to acquire a second credentialling through the ARDMS or CCI
8.1. Acceptable credentials include RDCS, RCS, RVT or RVS
9. Candidate will be given a second attempt to pass if necessary
9.1. This exam must be successfully completed within 90 days of initial test exam date
9.2. Genesis Healthcare System will reimburse for one physics exam and one technology exam
(Cardiology/Vascular) with documentation of passing scores by the ARDMS or CCI.
10. Acceptable combinations of Credentialling to meet Level 2 criteria:
10.1. RDCS or RCS + RVT or RCS
10.2. RN + (1) RDCS, RCS, RVT, RVS
10.3. CCEP + (1) RDCS, RCS, RVT, RVS
11. Actively provide coverage in secondary specialty a minimum of 25% or as assigned by department manager(s)
12. Serve as a preceptor to students, new orientees and others as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS – Level 3 (Current pay scale plus $3.00/hour)
1. High school graduate or equivalent.
2. Dual credentialling by the ARDMS of CCI
2.1. Acceptable credentials include
2.2. RDCS or RCS + RVT or RCS
2.3. RN + (1) RDCS, RCS, RVT, RVS
2.4. CCEP + (1) RDCS, RCS, RVT, RVS
3. Ability to communicate well in an oral and written manner.
4. Ability to demonstrate good interpersonal skills and ability to relate closely with patients.
5. Ability to demonstrate patience, judgment, imagination, and initiative.
6. Cross train in Pediatric Echocardiography
7. Acquire and maintain a Pediatric credentialling through the ARDMS (PE)
7.1. Employee will be provided cross training hours based on staffing availability for a period of
12 months.
8. Within sixty days of training completion, candidate must pass appropriate exams to acquire a this credentialling through the ARDMS
9. Candidate will be given a second attempt to pass if necessary
9.1. This exam must be successfully completed within 90 days of initial test exam date
9.2. Genesis Healthcare System will reimburse for one physics exam and one technology exam
(Cardiology/Vascular) with documentation of passing scores by the ARDMS or CCI.
10. Acceptable combinations of Credentialling to meet Level 3 criteria:
10.1. RDCS or RCS + RVT or RCS + PR
10.2. RN + (1) RDCS, RCS, RVT, RVS +PE
10.3. CCEP + (1) RDCS, RCS, RVT, RVS +PE
11. Actively provide coverage in secondary specialty a minimum of 25% or as assigned by department manager(s)
12. Perform pediatric echocardiograms as ordered
13. Provide coverage in the Adult and Adolescent Congenital Heart program a minimum of 25% or as assigned by department manager(s)
14. Serve as a preceptor to students, new orientees and others as assigned.
PATIENT CENTERED CARE & BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS
1. Living the Genesis Mission, Vision and Values:
• Performs work in a manner that is quality focused.
• Treats patients, co-workers, visitors and volunteers with courtesy, compassion, empathy and respect.
• Results oriented and focused on achievement of objectives.
• Acknowledges and responds to the diversity of people and the situation.
• Encourages peers (others) to be owners of change.
• Always makes the effort to anticipate and exceed customer needs and expectations.
• Possesses the ability to engage others with patience and understanding.
• Acts in a manner that creates positive first and lasting impressions.
• Demonstrates the ability to own issues until they are resolved.
2. Patient Centered Care (patients/families, physicians, co-workers, all other internal/external customers)
• Introduces self and role…connects with everyone.
• Communicates effectively (i.e. advising others of actions, pertinent information, time durations, etc.) and asks for feedback.
• Asks for and anticipates needs and concerns of others.
• Maintains a positive work environment for staff and a healing environment for patients (i.e. safe, clean, quiet, etc.)
• Maintains the dignity and privacy of each person; manages confidential/sensitive information appropriately.
• Responds to requests in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Exits patient/customer encounters courteously, asking if there are additional needs that can be addressed.
3. Promotes Patient and Employee Safety
• Demonstrates safe Patient Handling (i.e. transfers, transport, care administration, nutrition, medication, etc.)
• Demonstrates safe Materials Handling (i.e. appropr