Pediatric Echo Sonographer- PRN

About the role

At Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, the Pediatric Echo Sonographer performs routine to complex echocardiograms including transthoracic (TTE) with color, spectral Doppler and 2‑D imaging, transesophageal (TEE), plain stress or dobutamine stress echocardiography, TTE with bubbles, TTE with contrast, and advanced TTE/TTE with 4D imaging for inpatient and outpatient studies. The role independently evaluates patients for known or unknown complex congenital or structural heart defects that may require surgical reconstruction, repair, or replacement.

Responsibilities

• Locate, evaluate and record pertinent anatomical, pathological and functional data using various ultrasound systems.
• Transmit exams to compatible DICOM storage applications and process preliminary technical data in the designated interpreting system.
• Communicate significant findings to the attending reading physician.
• Ensure availability for on‑call duties.
• Promote a positive work environment and collaborate with the patient care team using therapeutic communication.
• Serve as a patient advocate, prevent/resolve ethical issues, and facilitate interventions to relieve spiritual distress.
• Perform cardiac echo studies with precise data transmission, attend to patients’ physical needs, and educate patients about exam purpose and technique.
• Identify and address issues proactively to achieve optimum outcomes.
• Provide direct assistance to physicians and team during studies, including patient preparation and sterile technique as required.
• Ensure study quality is concise and clear; calculate valve area, pressure gradients, ejection fraction; recognize abnormal findings and take corrective action.
• Maintain proper sterile and aseptic techniques, comply with infection control, safety standards, and perform QC on equipment.
• Report equipment malfunctions, practice preventive maintenance, and call for service when needed.
• Document patient procedures accurately, enter charges at time of service, and use resources cost‑effectively.
• Participate in departmental projects, shared governance, and innovation initiatives; pursue self‑development and update My Development Plan.

Requirements

• Education: Graduate of an education program approved by the credentialing body for the required certification(s).
• Experience: One year of experience in pediatric echocardiography.
• Licenses/Certifications: Current BLS (Basic Life Support) or Instructor (AHA) and one of the following: RDCS (ARDMS), RDCS‑AE (ARDMS), RVT (ARDMS), RDCS‑PE (ARDMS), RCS (CCI), or RVS (CCI).
• Work attire: Uniform required; scrubs permitted; business professional not required; department‑approved attire allowed.
• On‑call: Position requires availability to be on call; may be required during emergencies or severe weather.
• Travel: May require travel within the Houston metropolitan area; no travel outside the Houston metropolitan area required.

Skills

• Demonstrate skills and competencies necessary for safe job performance through ongoing assessments.
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English to perform essential functions, especially those impacting safety.
• Effective communication with patients, physicians, family, and coworkers using a customer‑service focus and positive language.
• Basic computer knowledge; ability to operate hospital/radiology/cardiology information systems and office software to maintain patient and exam documents.
• Strong interpersonal and team‑player skills across all levels of the healthcare team; commitment to excellent customer service.
• Ability to adapt to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision, organize workflow, and participate in problem solving.