University of Washington Human Resources

Cardiac Sonographer 2

UW CODE AND REPRESENTATIVE GROUP

DEFINITION

Independently perform professional level, highly complex diagnostic cardiac ultrasound procedures including transthoracic echo (TTE), transesophageal echo (TEE), dobutamine stress echo (DSE), and treadmill echo (TME). Acquire tomographic images of patients’ cardiac anatomy and Doppler assessment of blood flow dynamics by direct application of high frequency diagnostic ultrasound to patients to determine the nature and degree of patients’ heart disease.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Under general direction, perform highly complex cardiac ultrasound procedures including performing or assisting with intraoperative TEE scanning procedures in operating rooms on patients undergoing surgical procedures, and monitor and assess heart function of patients. Perform echo/Doppler procedures to provide instrument guidance to physicians performing invasive cardiac procedures such as heart biopsy, to direct bioptome placement for myocardial tissue samples; pericardiocentesis, to direct needle placement for fluid extraction; and cardiac catheterization valvuloplasty, to assess changes in cardiac function and/or degree of valvular regurgitation to assist physician during ongoing procedures. Provide primary, comprehensive clinical instruction and technical training to post-doctoral cardiology fellow physicians in all aspects of echo/Doppler patient examinations.

TYPICAL WORK

Perform or assist with intra-operative TEE scanning procedures; select cardiac ultrasound parameters to acquire accurate images of cardiac anatomy and pathophysiologic data during the ongoing examination; perform scanning as required to tailor the examination;

Perform echo/Doppler procedures during invasive procedures such as providing guidance for needle extraction during pericardiocentesis; monitoring of cardiac function and hemodynamics during valvuloplasty or other therapeutic procedures; and directing bioptome placement for cardiac tissue samples during myocardial biopsy;

Perform echo/Doppler procedures on patients participating in heart and organ transplant programs including patients on mechanical “heart-assist” devices for maintaining life-support pre- or post-heart transplantation and patients requiring evaluation of heart function to determine viability for organ transplantation (liver, kidney, pancreas, lung, heart);

Provide clinical instruction and technical training in all aspects of echo/Doppler examination including theory, application, instrumentation, analysis and interpretation;

Participate in establishing and implementing departmental operations procedures;

Perform the work of Cardiac Sonographer 1;

May perform intravascular echo imaging;

Perform related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Current Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) certification through American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS)

OR

Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) certification through Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI)

AND

One year of experience as Cardiac Sonographer 1

OR

Equivalent education/experience.

CLASSIFICATION HISTORY

06/09/2000: New Class
07/01/2007: Revised new class code: (formerly 6423) effective 07/01/2007
06/22/2011: New to SEIU 925 (Case # 23389–C-10–1434)
07/01/2014: New Class Title; Class adopted for UW contract classified staff per PERC decision to add this title to SEIU 1199NW Professional/Technical bargaining unit, effective 11/27/2013 (Case #25969-E-13-3817). Incorporates the work of UW classified non-union job code 6423, Cardiac Sonographer 2/Washington State Job Code 301L
04/04/2023: Update MQs