Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Location: San Diego, CA
Company: Decypher
Job Description Apply Now
Join Decypher and make a direct impact on the health and readiness of America’s service members, veterans, and their families. Since 2008 Decypher has offered healthcare industry professionals careers where their expertise is valued, and their work makes a meaningful impact. Decypher partners with the Defense Health Agency to deliver professional services, technology, and management solutions. Our mission is to provide and support quality care for our veterans, servicemembers and their families, across the United States.
Job Summary: The Diagnostic Medical Sonographer / Cardiac Sonographer performs diagnostic ultrasound and echocardiographic examinations for inpatient and outpatient populations. Responsibilities include transthoracic and stress echocardiography, Doppler imaging, and general ultrasound studies, while ensuring accurate documentation, image quality, and patient safety. The Sonographer collaborates with physicians to identify abnormalities, assist with advanced procedures, maintain equipment, and respond to emergent patient conditions in accordance with facility protocols.
Education: Graduate from an academic program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Certifications:
- Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) by ARDMS or
- Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI).
Experience: Minimum of one-year full time clinical experience as a Cardiac Sonographer, performing both outpatient and inpatient echocardiographic studies
Key Responsibilities:
- Correlate the patient's clinical history with the requested examination to be performed and obtain the results from previous pertinent diagnostic tests to correlate with the ultrasound study.
- Recognize normal anatomic variants. Also, recognize anatomic changes created by medical and surgical procedures.
- Document arrival, departure, and completed tests as required by MTF policy. Send appropriate image series to the radiologist for reading according to MTF protocol.
- Perform system warmups, calibrations, and quality control tasks according to manufacturer and MTF policy. Recognize artifacts and equipment errors and notify designated Government personnel of outlying values.
- Explain process to patient and instructs and assists patient in assuming physical position for examination.
- Assist in the compiling and archiving of records for procedures performed.
- Observe and report to the Cardiologist any symptoms which have direct bearing on the patient's condition as a result of adverse reaction to contrast media and inform the radiologist of any condition requiring his/her attention. Recognize the need for and initiate emergency measures for critical situations such as respiratory or cardiac arrest.
- Identify abnormalities during testing and determine need for additional scans of affected area.
- Perform a full range of diagnostic ultrasonic examinations as appropriate to the discipline.
- Receive patients and explain procedures, providing humane and appropriate care and communication to alleviate fear of examination. Correctly position the patient for the examination and adjust as necessary for the required examination. Determine if any special patient preparation is required.
- Operate Sonography/Ultrasonography equipment (scanners, linear/sector/endovaginal probes, pulse/color Doppler, PACS equipment) as per manufacturer recommendations and the radiology department protocols.
- Receive and interpret requests or instructions for diagnostic ultrasound scans; perform daily warm up and assigned quality control checks of the ultrasound scanners.
- Explain process to patient and instructs and assists patient in assuming physical position for examination.
- Key test data and patient information into computer of ultrasound equipment to maintain record of test results.
- Perform a full range of diagnostic ultrasonic examinations to include but not limited to:
- Obstetrical sonography - imaging of all fetal anatomy in order to obtain accurate dating and growth parameters and evaluate for fetal abnormalities and problems with the pregnancy.
- Pelvic sonography imaging of all pelvic anatomy to attain accurate assessment of suspected pathology; abdominal sonography - imaging of all major organs within the abdominal and retroperitoneal spaces (the HCW will assist in any interventional techniques and localize ascites for paracentesis, as required).
- Thoracic sonography - localize area of pleural effusion for thoracentesis; small parts sonography - imaging of the scrotum, breast, cervical regions, and superficial soft tissues. Assist in intervention procedures as required.
- Pediatric sonography. Be familiar with and utilize Doppler signals for spectral analysis in evaluation of arterial and venous diseases (i.e., carotid arteries, upper and lower extremity deep venous thrombosis).
- Evaluate all neonatal and pediatric anatomy, exclusive of cardiovascular which lends itself to sonographic evaluation, (i.e., neurosonology), vascular sonography.
- Endovaginal sonography. Perform endovaginal exams to obtain accurate assessment of suspected pelvic pathology.
- Intraoperative sonography. Assist with intraoperative abdominal, pelvic, small parts and vascular ultrasound studies.
- Identify abnormalities during testing and determine need for additional scans of affected area.
- Recognize anatomic variants and determine which other area(s) of the body should be scanned. Use a detailed understanding of diseases of anatomy to accomplish effective ultrasound scanning.
- Advise the radiologist of results of the examination and provide a preliminary diagnosis. Notify physician of significant scans requiring immediate attention or follow-up.
- Maintain and clean ultrasound equipment on a regular basis in accordance with radiology department standards. Stock and maintain an adequate level of supplies required to perform ultrasound examinations. Recommend necessary repairs when diagnostic quality is degraded.
- Make minor adjustments on equipment. Differentiate artifacts from normal or pathological processes and recognize electronic equipment limitations. Program the examination equipment, set up the machine and scanning techniques to be employed.
- Review new developments in the field by reading journals and attending meetings/conferences when possible and recommend changes to supervisor which would improve the operation of the ultrasound section.
- Recognize situations requiring patient resuscitation due to cardiac or respiratory arrest and institute the necessary emergency measures.
- Use a detailed understanding of diseases of anatomy to accomplish effective ultrasound scanning.
- Notify physician of significant scans requiring immediate attention.
- Recognize the need for and institute the necessary emergency measures for situations where a person requires resuscitation procedures due to the cardiac or respiratory arrest.
Work Schedule: Sunday through Saturday including Federal Holidays, between the hours of 1200-2230, or 2230- 0700.
Compensation & Benefits: Up to $49.03 + H&W
Decypher is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce (M/F/D/V)