Address
Form of workMedical Instrument Technician (Echocardiographer) Keesler AFB, MS
Keesler Air Force Base, located on the Gulf Coast in Biloxi, Mississippi, is the home of the 81st Training Wing, which hosts the Second Air Force (2 AF) training, and the 403rd Wing (an Air Force Reserve command).
Biloxi is the town just outside of Keesler's main gate and western Pass Road gate. It includes the waterfront hotels, casinos, and restaurants that host numerus tourists during the summer months. Some neighborhoods are historic and quiet, while others are close to the nightlife, so you will find a mixture of home styles and housing prices.
Ocean Springs is nine miles east of Keesler, across a long bridge, and is a very desirable area for family housing. With historic downtown streets, art galleries, and numerous restaurants and shopping options, you'll find most things you need in Ocean Springs.
Weather on Mississippi's Gulf Coast can be surprising! Winters are generally mild, with some days of cold temperatures that linger just above freezing, while most days just require a jacket or sweatshirt to be outdoors. Spring can be either very cold or very warm, with intense thunderstorms and flooding from heavy rains. One thing that is always consistent: the summers are hot. Temperatures from July through September are frequently in the 90's, and the muggy humidity makes it difficult to be outdoors in the afternoon. Fall can also be pleasantly mild.
Working for the Department of Defense comes with an abundance of benefits and perks to include competitive compensation packages, paid-time off, medical benefits, student loan repayments, and retirement package with Thrift Savings Plan to include matching employer contributions.
The primary purpose of this position is: Serves as a cardiac diagnostic technician performing and evaluating a variety of complex cardiac test involving extensive standardized procedures requiring knowledge and consideration of specific patient conditions.
Performs a wide variety of complex Cardiac ultrasound examinations of human patients to aid in the diagnosis of disease or injury. Independently performs real-time M-mode and 2 dimensional sector scanning, pulse wave and continuous wave Doppler and color flow mapping of the heart and vessels in adult and Pediatric patients. Receives patients, explains method of procedure, positions patients, selects and sets technical factors, selects the appropriate transducer, sets up and adjust cardiac ultrasound equipment as required to obtain echocardiographic images. Performs portable echocardiographic studies throughout the hospital, including Progressive care units, Operating rooms, Recovery and Emergency rooms. Knowledgeable of infectious disease and takes appropriate precautions. Assists the health care providers in the performance of Graded Exercise Stress Testing following Bruce, Modified Bruce, Naughton or Modified Naughton protocols assess. Technician must recognize any and all arrhythmias and assist in making clinical decisions for termination of testing. Identify indications for use of as well as prepare and administer echo contrast. Performs Basic Life Support in the event of life threatening arrhythmias. Monitors tracings, calculates and determines normal and abnormal readings and values, notes patient reaction, artifacts, and malfunctions. Reviews new developments in the field and reviews available literature with regard to improving the quality of the echocardiographic examination. Prepares and/or replaces imaging material. Prepares reports on examinations, equipment status and utilization, workload, supply status and consumption, and related matters. Receives and reviews request from physicians and other healthcare providers for cardiac ultrasound examinations of patients. Reviews the patient’s chart/medical record and acquires the background information needed to direct the echocardiographic examination. Records the patients name, age, sex, physical condition, indication for examination and working differential diagnosis. Confers with the cardiologist to establish requirements for nonstandard examinations. Explains procedures and actions to allay fears and secure patients’ maximum cooperation. Selects, sets up, adjust and operates cardiac ultrasound equipment. Conducts examinations, adjusting techniques and equipment to best present the medically significant aspects found if unanticipated conditions or anomalies are discovered, extends and modifies procedures to insure full and accurate information as to findings and patient’s condition. Observes and reports patient responses to instructions, movement, touch, etc. if significant. Assists in scheduling patients for examinations. Evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures and rearranges patient priorities to accommodate them. Maintains copies of patient studies. Advises the cardiologist of urgent preliminary diagnostic evaluations and notifies them of studies requiring their immediate attention while the patient is still being evaluated. Monitors patient condition during examination and if necessary renders emergency aid and summons assistance. Assist Cardiologist or Internist in reading or evaluating results
Performs the operation and maintenance of highly sophisticated equipment. Performs operator level maintenance and care of equipment. Identifies need for and initiates action to obtain higher level support for equipment malfunctions. Responsible for periodic minor disassembly and cleaning of equipment. Coordinates with medical maintenance and/or outside repair resources to minimize equipment downtime. Performs routine calibration checks, and other task to assure accurate readings.
Performs laboratory administrative, maintenance, and support functions. Performs various administrative duties within the Cardiology Department, to include: the scheduling of all types of cardiopulmonary procedures, answering telephones, filing, and other administrative duties as assigned. Assist with quality assurance and improvement efforts, data collection, analysis and biometrics reporting. Ensures equipment is operating at manufactures specifications. Determines inventory level of disposable supplies, stock, and documentation in electronic medical records (EMR) Performs other duties as assigned.
Participates in continuing education programs to update and/or maintain skills and knowledge. Must attend and complete all Medical Group, departmental, and national standard training requirements as assigned. Support staff development by training Cardiology personnel, technicians and students in the proper operation of equipment and specialized procedures. Prepares lectures and instruct in didactic and clinical areas.
Uses multiple office automation software with varied functions to produce a wide range of documents, formats, etc. Specific processing functions involved require a varying number and sequence of steps and use of difference functions from one assignment to another. Uses word processing software to create, copy, edit, store, retrieve, and print forms. memos, and letters; uses existing database or spreadsheet software to create, enter, revise, sort or calculate, and retrieve data for reports; and uses graphic software to provide graphs and charts for reports and presentations. Operates and utilizes automated systems such as Composite Health Care System CHCS), AHLTA, and the Marquette Universal System for Electrocardiography (MUSE) to retrieve and/ or document patient information, orders and activities performed for the Cardiopulmonary Lab as well as the Cardiologist reading the procedure.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT & NOTES:
Other significant facts pertaining to this position are:
1. Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) Certification and fulfill recertification requirements is desirable.
2. A two-year Associates Degree in Applied Sciences recognized by the Society for Cardiovascular Technology or completion of an accredited ultrasound program is desirable.
3. Twelve months experience in the specialty clinical service area within the last 36 months is highly desirable.
4. Must maintain Basic Life Support. Advanced Cardiac Life Support is highly desirable.
5. Overtime may be required.
6. This is a Testing Designated Position. The employee is subject to random drug testing.
7. The position may be identified as having “regular contact with children,” requiring a State Criminal History Repository (SCHR) check to be completed on any person selected for this position.
8. The employee will comply with locally directed MTF commander training consistent with AF wide standards and directive applicable to Active Duty and contractor personnel performing similar occupational series duties.
9. Performs other duties as assigned.
