Echocardiographer

UW CODE AND REPRESENTATIVE GROUP

21326 (NE H SEIU 1199NW UWMC Northwest Professional)
22963 (NE H NI SEIU 1199NW UWMC Northwest Professional)

CLASS SERIES CONCEPT

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.

BASIC FUNCTION

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.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

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.

TYPICAL WORK

Perform clinical and research TTE procedures; assist with TEE procedures; select appropriate parameters to perform TTE procedures; tailor examination as necessary to provide accurate representation of cardiac anatomy and pathophysiology as determined throughout examination; monitor patient’s vital signs and condition during examination; initiate or perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if necessary;

Prepare patient for examination; explain testing procedures; obtain pertinent clinical history from patient, patient’s hospital chart, and referral documents; perform limited physical exam including auscultating, assessing physical presentation, measuring blood pressure, and recording current medications;

Perform 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 determine cardiac physiologic parameters such as ventricular mass, chamber size, ejection fraction, ventricular function, valve structure and orifice size, blood flow velocities, and volume indices;

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

Maintain department and patient records;

Provide daily assessment of department equipment operation;

Participate 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;

Assist with documentation to support quality assurance programs;

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

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

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

Participate 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;

Perform other related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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

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

Registry eligible; registry must be obtained within 6 months of hire.

Equivalent education/experience.

CLASSIFICATION HISTORY

06/09/2000: New Class: 6-9-2000
06/01/2005: CSR Class Conversion
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 6422, Cardiac Sonographer I Washington State Job Code 301K.
01/01/2020: SEIU 1199NW UWMC-NW job profiles added effective 01/01/2020
04/04/2023: Update MQs