Echocardiographer

Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, an affiliate of Mass General Brigham, is committed to supporting patient care, research, teaching, and service to the community.  We place great value on being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization as we aim to reflect the diversity of the patients we serve. At Mass General Brigham, we believe in equal access to quality care, employment and advancement opportunities encompassing the full spectrum of human diversity: race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, religion, ethnicity, national origin and all the other forms of human presence and expression that make us better able to provide innovative and cutting-edge healthcare and research.

Wentworth-Douglass Hospital remains among the nation’s top hospitals for patient experience as a recipient of the Healthgrades 2021 Outstanding Patient Experience Award for the eighth consecutive year. Wentworth-Douglass Hospital is renowned as one of the largest acute care hospitals in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire and Southern Maine. At Wentworth-Douglass, we value people who contribute to patient-centered care that enhances community health; we recognize and reward those who share our values and transform our patients' lives. We invite you to explore opportunities, cultivate community wellness and professional growth.

1.    Clinical Performance - Provides accurate diagnostic information that is used by physicians to render final interpretations.
a.    Protects the privacy and integrity of the patient. Properly positions patients for procedure while adapting when necessary for patient comfort, safety and medical issues.
b.    Explains the procedure to the patient. Does not discuss clinical findings. Engages and addresses patient questions with appropriate explanation/response.
c.    Reviews previous echo findings of both archived images and prior reports for comparison. Provides most recent hardcopy report for comparison.
d.    Works jointly with centralized scheduling to accommodate add-on examinations. Remains flexible for emergency department, Seacoast Cancer Center, inpatient and outpatient add-ons.
e.    Confers with providers when necessary for unusual problems that arise while the patient is present in the echo lab.
f.    Recognizes and facilitates treatment of abnormal cardiac rhythms. Involves department nursing staff for evaluation of patients when necessary.
g.    Demonstrates ability to provide Level I and II critical values assessment as per hospital policy. Notifies appropriate physician in a timely manner as per hospital critical values assessment policy.
h.    Appropriate and adequate use of contrast for enhancement of technically difficult studies. Meets guidelines for usage as set forth by the ASE.
i.    Seeks input and/or assistance of peers when confronting problematic exams. Inconsistencies are recognized and resolved with assistance when necessary before the patient is discharged from the department. (recognizes when information does not appear complete or consisent with prior exams or the current information does not appear reliable.)

2.    Demonstrates a high level of competency in all modalities within echocardiography.
 .    Is knowledgeable in cardiac function, anatomy, physiology and hemodynamics as reflected through the lab QA program, peer evaluations and physician feedback.
a.    Can distinguish artifactual and technical factors from pathology for appropriate diagnosis as demonstrated through QA, peer evaluations and physician feedback.
b.    Able to perform Transthoracic imaging, SE (including pharmacological stress testing), contrast and saline injections.
c.    Assists with TEE, SE(including pharmacological stress testing), contrast, saline injections and pericardialcentesis.
d.    Provides for digital acquisition and storage of echocardiograms. Routinely retrieves archived studies for exam comparison.
e.   Makes appropriate adjustments in loop acquisition based on irregular rhythms, respiratory rate etc.
f.    Follows lab protocols and standards.

3.    Quality Performance - Maintains knowledge and competency in echocardiography as set forth by the ARDMS and/or CCI credentialing organizations.
a.  Strives for excellence and continued competence through continuing education.
b.  Completes and documents all educational programs/seminars and CME requirements as set forth by the ARDMS and WDH.
c.    Actively and substantially participates in performance improvement initiatives as set forth by the lab and department.

4.    Professional Performance - Promotes high standards to personnel and coworkers within the field. Demonstrates competence in the performance of duties and responsibilities related to customer service, department and hospital protocol. a.    Promotes excellence in patient care. Strives for good patient care as recognized by Press Ganey surveys.
b.    Fosters individual responsibility and accountability.
c.    Promotes professional integrity and public trust.
d.    Demonstrates a good attitude among coworkers while fostering a positive work environment.
e.    Demonstrates good work ethic while being reliable and prompt in attendance. Provides adequate notice for time off. Is considerate of coworkers and patient load in scheduling time off.
f.    Attends all staff meetings and/or reviews all minutes for important issues within 30 days.
g.    Properly records all charges for completed examinations including but not limited to contrast studies, full studies, limited exams etc.
h.    Utilizes time efficiently. Actively seeks assignments to make efficient use of time. Proactively assists with lab and departmental administrative needs as time permits. Limits personal use of cell phones while at work.

5.    Capable of applying skills to an environment where spontaneous change occurs. 

a.    Is adaptive to a full range of body motion, including the handling and lifting of patients, manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination.
b.    Capable of solving daily operational problems related to performing echo exams including the documenting and trouble-shooting of equipment malfunctions.
c.    Exhibits flexibility and independent judgement due to the unpredictable nature of echocardiographic procedures, technical quality and unexpected cardiac findings.
d.    Must be prepared to recognize conditions, whether observed in the lab or in patient behavior, that may pose an immediate threat to health and must react appropriately.
e.    Prioritizes inpatients according to lab protocol, exam reason and diagnosis. Utilizes department nursing staff to evaluate, prioritize and determine patient safety issues. Re-evaluates scheduling priorities throughout the day.
f.    Is adaptive to a wide variety of exam conditions. Adequately rearranges space to accommodate ultrasound system for portable studies.

6.    Technology - Demonstrates competence related to equipment operation and performance.

a.   Siemens SC2000 and Philips IE33 ultrasound units - Demonstrates ability to optimize system performance for high quality imaging. Demonstrates proficiency in 3D image acquisition of both transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography.
b.    Philips VM6/Datascope monitors - Able to obtain and monitor patient vital signs.
c.    Pyxis - Appropriately procures, manages and records supply usage.
d.    Competently manages McKesson CPACS (accession number, procedure type) issues assuring accurate distribution and transfer of reports. Utilizes McKesson superuser and IT resources as necessary for daily CPACS QA maintenance. Able to operate and troubleshoot basic workstation functions.
e.    Accurately completes structured reporting for all modalities. Provides required content per ICAEL standards for Stress Echo, Dobutamine Stress Echo, Transesophageal as well as Transthoracic structured reports. Accurately documents change of procedures, contrast use and statements on saline studies when appropriate.

7.    Provides age-specific, individualized care that supports psychosocial and lifestyle changes. 

a.    Active listening - Observes closely and attaches significance to a patient's verbal and nonverbal message.
b.    Emotional Support - Provides reassurance, acceptance and encouragement to patients and coworkers during times of stress.
8.    Provides age-specific, individualized care that supports protection from harm.
a.    Surveillance safety - Collects and analyzes information about the patients and the environment for use in maintaining patient safety.
b.    Fall Prevention - Institutes special precautions with patients at risk for injury from falling. Utilizes appropriate communication devices i.e.: trip tickets and verbal communication for patient safety information.
c.    Infection Control-Minimizes the acquisition and transmission of infectious agents.
d.    Able to access emergency response system within the hospital or medical facility.

9.    Provides age-specific, individualized care that supports the family unit.
a.    Family Involvement - Facilitates family participation in the emotional and physical care of the patient.

10.    Flexibility - Essential functions are subject to change based on needs of the department.
a.    Exhibits flexibility in assignments and performance expectations as set forth by the department.

Experience Minimum Required
•    Ability to perform general and special echocardiography procedures. 
Experience Preferred/Desired
•    2 or more years (full time) experience performing general and special echocardiographic procedures. 

Education Minimum Required
•    Graduate of an approved cardiac ultrasound training program or completion of all relevant competencies for graduation from an approved cardiac ultrasound training program.
Education Preferred/Desired
•    Graduate of a 12 month full time program in echcardiography with 2 years full time experience including stress echo and TEE.
•    RDCS/CCI reistered in cardiac ultrasound. 

Training Minimum Required
•    Ability to perform echocardiographic examinations in compliance with protocols and standards identified in "Essentials and Standards" per ICAEL and WDH policies and protocols. 
•    Full time experience must include ICAEL minimum procedure volume requirements -300 resting transthoracic and 100 stress echos/year. 
Training Preferred/Desired
•    Exceeds ICAEL procedural volume requirements.
•    Stress Echo, TEE, contrast and saline bubble study proficiency.
•    Experience in 3D echocardiography.
•    Experience in Pediatric echocardiography and/or Vascular ultrasound. 

Special Skills Minimum Required
•    Basic arrhythmia certification within 3 mos. or at first available offering. 
Special Skills Preferred/Desired
•    Certification in multiple modalities; RVT , Pediatric echo.
•    ACLS certification.
•    I.V. certification. 

Licensure and/or Certifications Required
•    AHA or ARC BLS
•    RDCS or CCI upon hire or w/in 3 months of graduation if a student
•    NH Medical Imaging License upon hire or within 3 months of RCDS or CCI completion or meets student waiver requirements
Licensure and/or Certifications Preferred/Desired
•    ACLS , IV CERTIFICATION, RDCS Pedi , RVT 

Wentworth-Douglass Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  By embracing diverse skills, perspectives and ideas, we choose to lead. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, military service, genetic information, and/or other status protected under law. We will ensure that all individuals with a disability are provided a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.