Independently perform, assess, and document findings of non-invasive and invasive clinical and research cardiac ultrasound (Echocardiography) and related physiological procedures to develop provisional working diagnosis of patients referred for evaluation of heart disorders or heart disease.

Perform professional level, complex diagnostic cardiac ultrasound procedures independent of physician supervision; determine diagnostic parameters as needed to acquire accurate images of cardiac anatomy, pathophysiologic data, and blood flow analysis relative to patient’s clinical presentation, clinical history, and referral information.

Under general supervision, perform and analyze comprehensive complex diagnostic cardiac ultrasound procedures such as transthoracic echo (TTE), dobutamine stress echo (DSE), treadmill echo (TME), and assist physicians with transesophageal echo (TEE) procedures on patients referred for evaluation of suspected or known heart disease, post-operative evaluation of surgical therapy, or placement of cardiac prosthetic devices.

Performs clinical and research TTE procedures; assists with TEE procedures; selects appropriate parameters to perform TTE procedures; tailors examination as necessary to provide accurate representation of cardiac anatomy and pathophysiology as determined throughout examination; monitors patient's vital signs and condition during examination; initiates or performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if necessary;

Prepares patient for examination; explains testing procedures; obtains pertinent clinical history from patient, patient's hospital chart, and referral documents; performs limited physical exam including auscultating, assessing physical presentation, measuring blood pressure, and recording current medications;

Performs diagnostic cardiac ultrasound procedures on potential heart donors on life support maintenance to determine viability of cardiac function and structure;

Using complex mathematical formulae and recorded examination data determines cardiac physiologic parameters such as ventricular mass, chamber size, ejection fraction, ventricular function, valve structure and orifice size, blood flow velocities, and volume indices;

Analyzes examination data, define representation of patient cardiac anatomy and hemodynamics, prepare preliminary and final diagnostic reports for Echocardiography physician’s review and final signature; collaborates with physician in diagnosis interpretation sessions;

Maintains department and patient records;

Provides daily assessment of department equipment operation;

Participates in implementing departmental operations procedure(s) by maintaining employee education records, arranging for and maintaining records of ultrasound equipment repair, coordinating sonographer student education, and/or ordering department supplies;

Assists with documentation to support quality assurance programs;

Assists with ultrasound needle guidance under the direction of a physician during pericardiocentesis procedures; learns to perform echo/Doppler examinations during invasive cardiac procedures;

Learns to perform cardiac ultrasound procedures on adult, adolescent, pediatric, infant, and neonatal patients for evaluation of congenital heart disease;

Participates in evaluation of new diagnostic ultrasound and related physiological testing equipment and/or equipment software; complies with requirements of confidentiality of proprietary information;

Participates with coordination of department research projects(s);

May assist physicians with Intra-operative TEE procedures;

May assist physicians with the administration of contrast media and pharmaceuticals during ultrasound examinations when necessary to enhance cardiac anatomy image clarity, coronary artery definition, and blood flow dynamics;

May provide instruction in the theory, techniques, applications and analysis of TTE procedures to physicians, post-doctoral fellows, residents and student interns;

May present and discuss patients' echo/Doppler examinations for clinical and research conference review;

Performs other related duties as required.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Completion of a training program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), and certified as Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) in Adult Echocardiography

OR

With experience equivalent to criteria for eligibility for taking Board Examination in Adult Echocardiography by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS)

OR

Equivalent education/experience.

New Class: June 9, 2000
Revised new class code: (formerly 6422) effective July 1, 2007