Echo/Vascular Sonographer - Cardiology (Sugar Land)

Overview

At Houston Methodist, the Echo/Vascular Sonographer position is responsible for regularly, versus occasionally, performing a variety of routine and specialized echo and vascular sonography procedures of moderate to high complexity, in inpatient, outpatient, hospital or clinic environments. Given the nature of the work environment necessitating great flexibility and teamwork, this position may also perform other job duties typically performed by others as related to transporting patients, admissions and registration, receptionist, physician contact, charting and documentation, patient monitoring, vitals, EKGs, and other duties as needed. A member of the direct patient care team, the Echo/Vascular Sonographer position is fully competent in all aspects of echo and vascular sonographic procedures, working independently, exercising sound judgement, and executing above average clinical skills on challenging procedures and patient care situations, providing direct assistance to physicians. This position delivers exceptional patient care, teamwork, and adheres to professional and clinical standards and guidelines to ensure optimal patient safety and customer service

Houston Methodist Standard

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVEDRefer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

Responsibilities

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with all members of the patient care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.

• Provides support to co-workers, physicians, patients and family members demonstrating flexibility in performing the activity required to meet the need of the individual.

• Conducts self in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity, equity, and inclusion principles. Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs echo and vascular sonographic procedures as required by the department needs. Provides direct assistance to physicians during procedures, including assisting with sterile technique.

• Provides care for the physical needs of patients by executing various sonographic concepts to maximize performance which includes positioning, physiology, procedure preparation, and technical factors. Modifies technical factors to achieve desired imaging results and recognizes complications/limitations associated with certain procedures. Proactively identifies how to address these for optimum outcomes.

• Performs what is required to meet the needs of patient care which may be one or more of the following: transporting, registration, admissions, answering phones, contacting physicians, taking/monitoring vital signs, EKGs, documenting, etc.

• Contributes towards improvement of department score for patient satisfaction, through peer-to-peer accountability to service standards.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintains proper sterile techniques for procedures, regularly practices aseptic techniques, and ensures compliance with infection control procedures. Complies with job, departmental and hospital safety standards, practices, and policies.

• Ensures all imaging equipment has had QC performed as required and is in safe working order prior to use. Reports any malfunctions to management and regularly practices preventive maintenance procedures; calls for service if needed.

• Assists with implementation and education of department-based safety initiatives and standards of practice.

• Identifies opportunities for corrective action and process improvement providing recommendations and contributes to meeting departmental and hospital targets for quality and safety. Reports ¿near misses¿ and inputs errors promptly into PSN to improve processes and identify trends.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides accurate and complete documentation of patient procedures. Enters charges at the time service is delivered.

• Utilizes resources with cost effectiveness and value creation in mind. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively, minimizing incidental overtime, and prioritize daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates in departmental projects and shared governance activities.

• Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

• Graduate of education program approved by the credentialing body for the required credential(s) indicated below in the Certifications, Licenses and Registrations section

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Three years of combined echo and vascular experience; may consider HM Echo or Vascular Sonographer with two years experience

License/Certification

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• RDCS - Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographerr (ARDMS) OR
• RCS - Registered Cardiac Sonographer (CCI) OR
• RCCS - Registered Congenital Cardiac Sonographer (CCI) AND
• ARRT-VS - Radiologic Technologist - Vascular Sonography (ARRT) OR
• RVS - Registered Vascular Specialist (CCI) OR
• RVT - Registered Vascular Technologist (ARDMS) AND
• BLS - Basic Life Support (AHA)

KSA/ Supplemental Data

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Exhibits flexibility, willingness, and skills to transition from Technologist-specific job duties to handling administrative (registration, admissions, other office/clerical) duties necessary for the overall functioning of the operation; able to successfully function with limited support

• Ability to work independently; capable of handling challenging/difficult diagnostic procedures and patient care situations.

• Demonstrates sound judgement and executes above average clinical skills

• Possesses basic computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems to include, Hospital/Radiology Information Systems and Office software to maintain patient and exam documents

• Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians, and co-workers

• Adapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision including, organizing workflow, and actively participating in problem-solving

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional No
• Other (department approved) Yes

ON-CALL**Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* Yes

TRAVEL****Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Company Profile

Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group - As one of the nation’s leading hospitals and academic medical centers Houston Methodist has brought together some of the nation’s leading experts in multiple specialties to serve our patients.  As part of Houston Methodist Specialty Physician Group (HMSPG), these specialists not only provide excellent clinical care, but are on the forefront of research, developing leading-edge technologies and treatments, and teaching the medical pioneers of tomorrow.  This combination of clinical service, research and academics ensures patients have access to the latest in treatments and technologies while providing the best in comprehensive patient care.  Established as a non-profit corporation and certified by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, HMSPG enables physicians to maintain autonomy with respect to their clinical practice while growing their practice within an academic environment.