Stephen Zaragoza RCS
South Fork,PA
Summary
Seasoned Echocardiography Technologist with vast expertise in test methods, instrument use and laboratory policies and procedures.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Lead Cardiac Sonographer
Duke LifePoint Conemaugh Medical Center
2020.02 - Current
- IAC lab accreditation
- Expertise in all areas of echocardiography
- Communicated daily with staff members to identify patients requiring ultrasound evaluation.
- Delivered subject matter expertise to staff on topics relating to ultrasound examinations.
- Verified functionality of ultrasound equipment and worked closely with the manufacture to refer equipment for repairs.
- Employed specialized procedural knowledge and equipment to test and document patient cardiac activity.
- Operated diagnostic imaging equipment to complete contrast-enhanced heart scans.
- Maintained and adjusted cardiology equipment.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend and holiday shifts.
- Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Participated in team projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
- Set up and adjusted imaging equipment and manually maneuvered transducers to perform exams.
- Performed routine and complex studies and assisted in variety of imaging procedures.
- Recognized significant structures, artifacts, pathology and equipment limitations.
Registered Echo Sonographer
UPMC Altoona
2015.03 - 2020.01
- Performed routine and complex studies and assisted in variety of imaging procedures.
- Set up and adjusted imaging equipment and manually maneuvered transducers to perform exams.
- Recognized significant structures, artifacts, pathology and equipment limitations.
- Maintained clean, safe and orderly procedure rooms, storage areas, dressing rooms and film storage areas.
- Registered patients by confirming identification, reviewing consultation requests and entering anticipated services to patient log.
- Employed specialized procedural knowledge and equipment to test and document patient cardiac activity.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Strengthened communication skills through regular interactions with others.
- Operated ultrasound equipment to diagnose and treat medical conditions.
- Submitted written reports, verbal summaries, photographs and recordings to physicians to support accurate medical decision making.
- Positioned and readjusted patients to obtain optimal scan information.
- Took patient medical history and answered preliminary questions regarding procedure.
- Upheld legal standards, HIPAA requirements and facility guidelines by obtaining written consent and securing patient information.
- Decided appropriate length and scope of scans by discussing needs with clinicians and monitoring findings during examinations.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
Registered Echocardiographer
Excella Health System
2014.03 - 2015.03
- Performed routine and complex studies and assisted in variety of imaging procedures.
- Set up and adjusted imaging equipment and manually maneuvered transducers to perform exams.
- Recognized significant structures, artifacts, pathology and equipment limitations.
- Maintained clean, safe and orderly procedure rooms, storage areas, dressing rooms and film storage areas.
- Registered patients by confirming identification, reviewing consultation requests and entering anticipated services to patient log.
- Employed specialized procedural knowledge and equipment to test and document patient cardiac activity.
- Measured heart chamber sizes and wall thickness against expected sizes to detect abnormalities.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
Supervisor of Cardiopulmonary Services
Somerset Hospital
2000.04 - 2013.07
- IAC lab accreditation.
- Assisted with training and development of team members.
- Handled customer complaints and inquiries.
- Monitored team's performance and gave feedback when necessary.
- Updated job knowledge by attending workshops, training sessions and educational opportunities.
- Actively listened to customers, handled concerns quickly and escalated major issues to director.
- Maintained customer satisfaction with forward-thinking strategies focused on addressing customer needs and resolving concerns.
- Participated in team meetings and training sessions to stay informed about product updates and changes.
- Developed customer service policies and procedures to meet and exceed industry service standards.
- Resolved issues through active listening and open-ended questioning, escalating major problems to manager.
- Hired, managed, developed and trained staff, established and monitored goals, conducted performance reviews and administered salaries for staff.
- Delegated tasks to administrative support staff to organize and improve office efficiency.
- Improved customer satisfaction scores through application of superior conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
- Oversaw appointment scheduling and itinerary coordination for both clients and personnel.
- Implemented project management techniques to overcome obstacles and increase team productivity.
- Provided backup to front desk to step in to assist with various tasks whenever employee was absent or at lunch.
- Completed bi-weekly payroll for 12 employees.
- Interceded between employees during arguments and diffused tense situations.
- Optimized organizational systems for salary, department budgets, capitol budget requests, and recordkeeping.
- Coordinated individual duties after careful evaluation of each employee's skill level and knowledge.
- Organized meetings for executives and coordinated availability of conference rooms for participants.
- Developed internal requirements and standards to minimize regulatory risks and liability across programs.
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.
- Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
- Onboarded new employees with training and new hire documentation.
- Controlled costs to keep business operating within budget and increase profits.
- Opened and closed location and monitored shift changes to uphold successful operations strategies and maximize business success.
- Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
- Defined clear targets and objectives and communicated to other team members.
- Trained personnel in equipment maintenance and enforced participation in exercises focused on developing key skills.
- Cultivated positive rapport with fellow employees to boost company morale and promote employee retention.
- Successfully managed budgets and allocated resources to maximize productivity and profitability.
- Leveraged data and analytics to make informed decisions and drive business improvements.
- Launched quality assurance practices for each phase of development
- Streamlined and monitored quality programs to alleviate overdue compliance activities.
- Communicated daily with staff members to identify patients requiring ultrasound evaluation.
- Delivered subject matter expertise to staff on topics relating to ultrasound examinations.
- Verified functionality of ultrasound equipment and worked closely with biomedical department to refer equipment for repairs.
- Submitted written reports, verbal summaries, and recordings to physicians to support accurate medical decision making.
- Took patient medical history and answered preliminary questions regarding procedure.
- Positioned and readjusted patients to obtain optimal scan information.
- Upheld legal standards, HIPAA requirements and facility guidelines by obtaining written consent and securing patient information.
- Decided appropriate length and scope of scans by discussing needs with clinicians and monitoring findings during examinations.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend and holiday shifts.
- Conducted electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, phonocardiogram and stress tests by using electronic test equipment and recording devices.
- Documented vascular data such as edema, oxygen saturation, and blood pressure to contribute to accurate diagnoses.
- Utilized stethoscopes, thermometers and sphygmomanometers to meet patient needs and prescribed medical therapies.
- Maintained and adjusted cardiology and pulmonary equipment.
Echocardiography Technician
Penn State Geisinger Health System
1997.04 - 1999.09
- Pediatric training and Janet Weis Children's Hospital
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
- Performed studies for research programs.
- Set up and adjusted imaging equipment and manually maneuvered transducers to perform exams.
- Recognized significant structures, artifacts, pathology and equipment limitations.
- Verified that activities complied with regulatory agency standards.
- Performed routine and complex studies and assisted in variety of imaging procedures.
- Maintained clean, safe and orderly procedure rooms, storage areas, dressing rooms and film storage areas.
- Registered patients by confirming identification, reviewing consultation requests and entering anticipated services to patient log.
- Employed specialized procedural knowledge and equipment to test and document patient cardiac activity.
- Measured heart chamber sizes and wall thickness against expected sizes to detect abnormalities.
- Helped physicians complete cardiac issues and peripheral vascular concerns by assisting with procedures such as pacemaker insertions and balloon angioplasties.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
Education
Associate of Science - Cardiovascular Technology
Mount Aloysius College
Cresson, PA05.1996
Skills
- Echocardiography Scan Administration all modalities
- Quality Assurance
- Student and Peer Mentoring
- Technique Improvement for Staff
- Quality Control Procedures
- Department Operations
- Image Optimization use of Contrast
- IAC Accreditation
- Stress Echocardiography all modalities
- Transesophageal Echocardiography all modalities
- Critical Thinking
- Patient and Staff Education
Affiliations
American Society of Echocardiography
Certification
RCS Registered Cardiac Sonographer, Cardiovascular Credentialing International 1996 to present.
Timeline
Lead Cardiac Sonographer
Duke LifePoint Conemaugh Medical Center
2020.02 - Current
Registered Echo Sonographer
UPMC Altoona
2015.03 - 2020.01
Registered Echocardiographer
Excella Health System
2014.03 - 2015.03
Supervisor of Cardiopulmonary Services
Somerset Hospital
2000.04 - 2013.07
Echocardiography Technician
Penn State Geisinger Health System
1997.04 - 1999.09
Associate of Science - Cardiovascular Technology
Mount Aloysius College
RCS Registered Cardiac Sonographer, Cardiovascular Credentialing International 1996 to present.
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