Student Echocardiographer- Externship
Sentara Obici Hospital is hiring a Student Cardiovascular Technologist Extern for the Echocardiography department. This is a Flexi Day shift position in Suffolk, VA.
Hours: Operating hours are from 730am to 530pm Monday to Friday. Shift times can vary and are expected around 4 hours per week minimum based on availability.
The Student Echocardiographer is a training role designed for a student enrolled in an accredited cardiovascular technology / echocardiography program. Under supervision, the student will assist in and perform selected procedures as appropriate, gaining hands-on clinical experience. Must have completed enough clinical hours in an accredited cardiovascular technology program that the student may use employed hours towards graduation requirements.
About the department:
The Echocardiography Department is a 6-person well-established, non-invasive lab team performing approximately 25 echocardiograms daily total, including inpatient and outpatient studies. Each echocardiographer can expect to see about 7 studies per day average. The department is open to both new graduates and experienced candidates, offering a supportive environment led by a manager recognized with the ACE award, emphasizing quality, stability, and professional growth.
Key Responsibilities
Assist in preparation of patients for echocardiography procedures (explaining the procedure, positioning, ensuring patient comfort, obtaining patient history)
Operate specialized ultrasound / echocardiography equipment under supervision to perform basic echocardiogram studies
Assist or act as first assistant during diagnostic and therapeutic vascular or echo-related procedures, under physician or registered sonographer guidance
Maintain accurate patient records, image data, and documentation as required by the lab and hospital policy
Adhere to established protocols for patient safety, infection control, and equipment maintenance
Observe and assist in advanced echo procedures when appropriate (e.g. Doppler, stress echocardiography) under supervision
Participate in educational activities, seminars, and in-service training to enhance knowledge of cardiac anatomy, physiology, pathology, and echo imaging techniques
Education:
Currently enrolled in an accredited cardiovascular technology or echocardiography sonography program
Have completed sufficient clinical hours so that some work may count toward program graduation requirements
High School diploma or equivalent required
Certification:
BLS (Basic Life Support) certification required
Experience:
Good communication skills: ability to interact empathetically with patients and work collaboratively with medical team preferred
Attention to detail, ability to follow direction and protocols strictly
Willingness to learn and adapt in a clinical environment
By the end of the placement / student assignment, the Student Echocardiographer should be able to:
Conduct basic transthoracic echocardiograms under supervision with acceptable image quality
Understand major cardiac anatomy and common pathologies as they present in echocardiographic imaging
Demonstrate competency in patient preparation, equipment setup, and documentation
Work effectively within the echo lab team; understand workflow and safety protocols