OPT Echocardiographer Jobs
Echocardiographer jobs on OPT require employers familiar with cardiovascular imaging roles and willing to file H-1B visa or support STEM OPT extensions. Most positions sit inside hospital systems or cardiology practices, where sponsored hires are more common. Your 12-month OPT clock starts the day your EAD card is valid.
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To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values - integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion - must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.
Under the supervision of the Heart and Vascular Center (HVC) leadership, the HVC Sonographer performs a wide variety of technical and professional duties utilizing complex imaging equipment to produce quality ECHO and/or Vascular images as requested for subsequent interpretation by the physician. All duties are performed in accordance with departmental and organizational policies and procedures. Promotes service excellence in all interactions as outlined in the Key Behaviors in the Yale New Haven Health System (YNHHS) Core Success Factors. Performs cardiac and/or vascular ultrasounds and interprets study results, coordinates daily schedule, and provides prompt feedback to physician(s). To meet the staffing needs of the department, as necessary, Heart and Vascular Center staff may be assigned at any of the HVC locations regardless of your regularly assigned work location.
EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran
Responsibilities:
- Performs quality and efficient ultrasound exams in order to assist with a patient's diagnostic work-up
- Follows routine protocols and/or physician(s) specific prescriptions. Repeat of examinations due to non-compliance or inferior quality is minimal as observed by manager/supervisor or physician review.
- Provides accurate and compassionate patient care in order to ensure service excellence, patient cooperation, safety, and satisfaction.
- Use two patient Identifiers when providing care, treatment, and services. Prior to performing exam, crosscheck universal patient identifiers, identify correct examination being ordered, and exams accurately 100% of the time according to departmental policy as observed by supervisor or other hospital staff. Crosscheck with work list.
- Performs various record-keeping tasks in order to ensure department goals are met, medical record documentation accuracy, and daily operations run smoothly and efficiently.
- Upon completion of training, demonstrates a mastery of end-user computer skills of the cardiovascular picture archiving and communication systems (CPACS) by accurately and independently performing related tasks such as exam scheduling, completion, document scanning, etc.
- Participates in various learning opportunities in order to further personal knowledge/skills and assists with teaching or training others.
- Keeps current with professional registration/certification, mandated hospital training modules, departmental annual competencies, CPR certification, and provides documentation as recorded by coordinator/manager.
- Employee follows established safety precautions and procedures in the performance of all duties in order to ensure a safe environment.
- Operates equipment and performs job-related duties in a safe manner, following policies and procedures, to minimize risk of injury to patients.
Qualifications
Education
A minimum of an associate degree required and required to meet one of the following: Graduate of an accredited (CAAHEP) School of Diagnostic Sonography Graduate of an accredited Allied Health program with an additional requirement of 12 months of full-time Diagnostic Medical Sonography instruction
Experience
Demonstrated technical skills to meet entry-level standards of routine HVC imaging.
LICENSURE
Cardiac Sonographer: RDCS (ARDMS) /RCS (CCI) in echocardiography certification required. Vascular Sonographer: RVT is required for vascular ultrasound. BLS certification (obtained within 3 months of hire). ICAEL/IAC accreditation: Sonographers must have the required CMEs per triennial submission. Must maintain required CME per credentialing organization.
SPECIAL SKILLS
Proficient in routine echo and/or vascular imaging techniques. Strong computer skills and medical terminology preferred. Must possess good organizational, communication, and customer service skills.
PHYSICAL DEMAND
Must be able to lift (patient transfers) and push 40 lbs. (portable US equipment). Requires extended periods of sitting, walking, and standing. Moving equipment, ultrasound machine, and scanning bed to accommodate demand for different types of ultrasound tests. Assumes awkward body positioning at times. Incumbents as well as external and internal applicants who become disabled must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without the assistance of reasonable accommodations determined by a case-by-case basis.
Overview:
To be part of our organization, every employee should understand and share in the YNHHS Vision, support our Mission, and live our Values. These values - integrity, patient-centered, respect, accountability, and compassion - must guide what we do, as individuals and professionals, every day.
Under the supervision of the Heart and Vascular Center (HVC) leadership, the HVC Sonographer performs a wide variety of technical and professional duties utilizing complex imaging equipment to produce quality ECHO and/or Vascular images as requested for subsequent interpretation by the physician. All duties are performed in accordance with departmental and organizational policies and procedures. Promotes service excellence in all interactions as outlined in the Key Behaviors in the Yale New Haven Health System (YNHHS) Core Success Factors. Performs cardiac and/or vascular ultrasounds and interprets study results, coordinates daily schedule, and provides prompt feedback to physician(s). To meet the staffing needs of the department, as necessary, Heart and Vascular Center staff may be assigned at any of the HVC locations regardless of your regularly assigned work location.
EEO/AA/Disability/Veteran
Responsibilities:
- Performs quality and efficient ultrasound exams in order to assist with a patient's diagnostic work-up
- Follows routine protocols and/or physician(s) specific prescriptions. Repeat of examinations due to non-compliance or inferior quality is minimal as observed by manager/supervisor or physician review.
- Provides accurate and compassionate patient care in order to ensure service excellence, patient cooperation, safety, and satisfaction.
- Use two patient Identifiers when providing care, treatment, and services. Prior to performing exam, crosscheck universal patient identifiers, identify correct examination being ordered, and exams accurately 100% of the time according to departmental policy as observed by supervisor or other hospital staff. Crosscheck with work list.
- Performs various record-keeping tasks in order to ensure department goals are met, medical record documentation accuracy, and daily operations run smoothly and efficiently.
- Upon completion of training, demonstrates a mastery of end-user computer skills of the cardiovascular picture archiving and communication systems (CPACS) by accurately and independently performing related tasks such as exam scheduling, completion, document scanning, etc.
- Participates in various learning opportunities in order to further personal knowledge/skills and assists with teaching or training others.
- Keeps current with professional registration/certification, mandated hospital training modules, departmental annual competencies, CPR certification, and provides documentation as recorded by coordinator/manager.
- Employee follows established safety precautions and procedures in the performance of all duties in order to ensure a safe environment.
- Operates equipment and performs job-related duties in a safe manner, following policies and procedures, to minimize risk of injury to patients.
Qualifications
Education
A minimum of an associate degree required and required to meet one of the following: Graduate of an accredited (CAAHEP) School of Diagnostic Sonography Graduate of an accredited Allied Health program with an additional requirement of 12 months of full-time Diagnostic Medical Sonography instruction
Experience
Demonstrated technical skills to meet entry-level standards of routine HVC imaging.
LICENSURE
Cardiac Sonographer: RDCS (ARDMS) /RCS (CCI) in echocardiography certification required. Vascular Sonographer: RVT is required for vascular ultrasound. BLS certification (obtained within 3 months of hire). ICAEL/IAC accreditation: Sonographers must have the required CMEs per triennial submission. Must maintain required CME per credentialing organization.
SPECIAL SKILLS
Proficient in routine echo and/or vascular imaging techniques. Strong computer skills and medical terminology preferred. Must possess good organizational, communication, and customer service skills.
PHYSICAL DEMAND
Must be able to lift (patient transfers) and push 40 lbs. (portable US equipment). Requires extended periods of sitting, walking, and standing. Moving equipment, ultrasound machine, and scanning bed to accommodate demand for different types of ultrasound tests. Assumes awkward body positioning at times. Incumbents as well as external and internal applicants who become disabled must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without the assistance of reasonable accommodations determined by a case-by-case basis.
See all OPT Echocardiographer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Echocardiographer
Target hospital systems over private practices
Large hospital networks and academic medical centers have dedicated HR and legal teams that handle visa sponsorship regularly. Smaller private cardiology practices often lack the infrastructure to sponsor, so prioritize institutional employers when your OPT timeline is a factor.
Confirm your degree qualifies for STEM OPT extension
Echocardiography programs often fall under cardiovascular technology or diagnostic medical sonography. If your degree is on the STEM designated program list, you may qualify for a 24-month extension, giving you up to 36 months of authorized work experience total.
Apply before your OPT start date
You can apply for Echocardiographer positions up to 90 days before your OPT EAD becomes valid. Starting early means you can have an offer in hand and begin onboarding paperwork the moment your authorization activates, reducing gaps in employment.
Ask about H-1B sponsorship before your first interview
Echocardiography roles typically qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B visa rules. Confirm during your job search, not after receiving an offer, whether the employer has sponsored H-1B petitions before. This saves time and avoids late-stage surprises about your long-term authorization.
Get your credentials verified early
Most employers require CCI or ARDMS certification alongside your degree. Credentialing timelines can overlap awkwardly with OPT start dates. Submit your exam applications as soon as you are eligible so your credentials are active when you enter the job market.
Track your unemployment days carefully
OPT allows only 90 days of unemployment, or 150 days with a STEM extension. Echocardiographer hiring can take time due to credentialing checks. Log every day you are between jobs so you know exactly where you stand relative to your authorized limit.
Echocardiographer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as an Echocardiographer on OPT without H-1B sponsorship?
Yes. During your OPT period you are authorized to work without an employer-sponsored visa, as long as your EAD is valid and the role is directly related to your degree field. Sponsorship only becomes necessary after your OPT and any STEM extension expire, at which point your employer would need to file an H-1B or another qualifying petition on your behalf.
Does an Echocardiographer role qualify for a STEM OPT extension?
It depends on your specific degree program. Echocardiography training delivered through a cardiovascular technology or diagnostic medical sonography program may sit on the STEM designated program list maintained by the Department of Homeland Security. You need to confirm with your Designated School Official whether your program's CIP code qualifies before counting on the 24-month extension.
How do I find Echocardiographer employers that sponsor visas?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for F-1 OPT students and filters jobs by sponsorship history, so you are not wasting applications on employers who have never filed for international candidates. Focus your search on hospital systems and large cardiovascular imaging centers, as they sponsor far more consistently than small or independent cardiology practices.
Does my OPT employment need to be full-time for an Echocardiographer role?
USCIS requires OPT employment to be at least 20 hours per week to count as authorized work and avoid accruing unemployment days. Most Echocardiographer positions in hospitals are full-time, but per diem or part-time contracts can satisfy OPT requirements as long as you meet that 20-hour floor consistently and the work remains related to your degree.
What happens to my OPT status if I switch Echocardiographer employers?
You are allowed to change employers on OPT, but you must update your record in SEVIS within 10 days of starting with the new employer. There is no new EAD required for a job change. The key risk is the 90-day unemployment limit. If there is a gap between roles, those days count against your authorized unemployment allowance, so minimize the gap whenever possible.