ECHO TECH II

Affiliate Name: Brigham & Women's Hospital
Job Category: Allied Health
Department: BWH ECHO LAB
Shift: Days
Hours/Week: 40
Job Type: Regular
Employment Type: Full TimeResponsibilities:
GENERAL SUMMARY/ OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
Under the supervision of the Echo supervisor this position is responsible for independently establishing a work plan that most efficiently and precisely accomplishes the performance of 2-dimensional, color Doppler and Doppler of the heart. Also performs stress echocardiograms and dobutamine echocardiograms. Included in that plan would be assisting in scheduling of procedures, inventory of supplies and maintaining equipment. Job requires a high level of knowledge to read and interpret test results, especially those, which are abnormal or atypical. Assists in the teaching of the Cardiac fellows assigned to the department.Principle Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Performs 2-dimensional, color Doppler and Doppler of the heart echocardiograms. Also performs stress and dobutamine echocardiograms, which requires a high level of knowledge to interpret and analyze test performance and results.
2. Must be proficient and knowledgeable in non-imaging continuous Doppler to perform effective results for diagnosing and imaging Aortic stenosis and Tricuspid regurgitation
3. Must have mastered all phases of echocardiography in order to be proficient in diagnosing the following:
a. Wall motion abnormalities
b. Left ventricular regional wall abnormalities
c. Pericardial, pleural effusion
d. Connections of stenotic and regurgitant lesions and
e. Congenital abnormalities
4. Must have the ability to review and interpret test results and to notify referring physician or house officer of a preliminary report.
5. Must be proficient in performing all phases of echocardiogram testing to be eligible for emergency on-call which requires a great deal of independent judgment.
6. Assists in the scheduling of cardiac ultrasound procedures for inpatients and out patients, when there is a question of whether there is availability when the schedule is booked.
7. Responsible for inventory of supplies in the Echo Lab
8. Responsible for the daily cleansing of the transesophageal probe with approved hospital disinfectant and following Infection Control guidelines.
9. Maintains all echo equipment to solve minor operating problems. Difficult or complex problems are referred to the echo supervisor.
10. Responsible for assisting in the training of the other echo technicians and assisting in the training of the fellows on rotation through the echo lab.
11. Reviews the patient's chart to obtain pertinent clinical history in order to perform test and to accurately interpret and perform cardiac examination.
12. Explains procedure to the patient and positions patient for the cardiac ultrasound examination.
13. Performs several portable studies a day requiring mobilization of the equipment by the technician.
14. Establishes appropriate priorities that are essential to the efficient and accurate operations of the echo lab.
15. Records and reviews test results for accuracy and prepares test reports, utilize ancillary devices ( video recorder and transducer) to obtain a permanent record of the cardiac examination.
16. Records, calculates and plots known control values on technical instruments to ensure their reliability and accuracy in reporting out test results.
17. Maintains testing rooms in clean and orderly condition which includes disposing of soiled linen, stocking necessary supplies and so forth. Cleans equipment such as patient cable, transducer, and ultrasound machine.
18. Takes on-call responsibility as designated by the department.
19. Keeps current regarding development in technical instrumentation to trends and techniques in cardiac ultrasound testing through appropriate journals attends seminars and other meetings per approval of echo supervisor.
20.In the absence of the Senior Echo technician, functions as the team leader, responsible for seeing that the echo technicians perform their jobs effectively and appropriately and that the echo lab runs smoothly.
21.Performs minor clerical duties as required by echo supervisor or Technical Director, such as answering phones, filing echo tapes and reports, etc.
22.Performs all other duties as necessary.
23.All the above testing is performed without physician assistance with minimal supervision of test results by the echo supervisor.The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.
REQUIREMENTS
Qualifications:
1.A Bachelor of Science degree is preferred, but must possess Associate degree or equivalent program with a Cardiovascular Technologist Certificate.
2.A minimum if 1-2 years in a major teaching institution required, or 2-4 years in a smaller private facility, as an Echo technician.
3.A thorough understanding in cardiac anatomy, physiology and hemodynamics is required.Skills and Abilities Required:
1. Must possess a high degree of technical expertise with the knowledge of cardiac anatomy, physiology and hemodynamics.
2. Must have a high level of analytical ability to perform complex color Doppler testing, which requires a professional level of knowledge to interpret and analyze test results,
3. Must possess visual acuity to distinguish gradations of color and closely examine the significance of all cardiac structures to produce a diagnostic scan of the heart.
4. Must have the ability of producing an initial interpretation to the referring physicians. Difficult and complex cases should be reviewed with the echo supervisor.
5. Must possess manual dexterity sufficient to work with ultrasound transducer and delicate panels on equipment.
6. Must have a good understanding of equipment function, which is important, because technology is changing very rapidly.
7. Must have the ability to interact with understanding with patients and staff for smooth lab flow and genuine cooperation.
8. Flexibility is essential here. Technicians also interact with physicians for the purpose of information.
9. Must have the ability to mobilize the heavy (300-1000 lbs.) ultrasound equipment for portable studies as well as occasionally lift patients from stretchers (with aid) or wheelchair, also expected to assist incontinent patients, must occasionally lift boxes of supplies.
10. Must have the ability to distinguish the exact spectrum of color necessary to perform color flow Doppler's.
11. Must have the ability to spend prolonged time standing and working ( over 85% of the work time).
12. Must have mastered all the duties and responsibilities of this job description.