Kara DeSanchez, BS, RDCS

Experience

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  Blomeyer Health and Fitness Center at Emory

  Jan 2004 - Jan 2007

  Assistant Manager | Health and Fitness Program Manager | Exercise Physiologist

  ► Conducted fitness assessments which included the following tests: Cycle Ergometer, exercise treadmill, body fat, sit and reach, blood pressure screening and body measurements. Designed nutrition programs and consulted on exercise equipment and exercise prescription plans. ►Effectively led employee supervision and scheduling, member billing, financial and employee performance reporting, and processed employee payroll.

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  Digirad UltraScan Solutions, Inc./ Emory Healthcare

  Jan 2007 - Jan 2011

  Cardiac Sonographer II - Heart and Vascular Lab

  ► I transitioned from the health and fitness industry and successfully launched my career as a Cardiac Sonographer doing echocardiograms. I performed echo studies such as: Transthoracic Echocardiograms, Pharmacological Stress, Exercise Stress, Transesophageal Echocardiograms, Ankle Brachial Index, Abdominal Aorta and Carotid exams. ► Assisted physicians with ultrasound guided biopsies, prepared patients for stress tests, analyzed echos and prepared preliminary reports for referring physicians. Show less

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  Saint Joseph's Hospital

  Jan 2011 - Jan 2013

  Cardiovascular Specialist/Cardiac Sonographer II

  ► Assisted with developing the outpatient Echocardiology Lab from the ground up. this involved the following:- Planning, design and entire build-out.- Implemented process and procedures for daily patient/workflow and operations. - Established the Echo Read Room, added treadmills and other equipment. In addition I successfully completed the following:►Piloted a quality assurance program in 2011 in preparation for accreditation. This involved submitting our policies, protocols, procedures, how we conduct our reporting and physicians' credentials to ensure everything is according to the accrediting body (IAC).►I also received high praise for assisting with Echo Lab IAC accreditation in 2012. Show less

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  Emory Healthcare

  Jan 2013 - Apr 2021

  Lead Cardiac Sonographer IV

  In this role I serve as the Lead for our daily operations and workflow. This includes supervising, training and scheduling staff members. I also coordinate projects for research studies. Perform Transthoracic Echocardiograms, Dobutamine Stress echos, Exercise stress echos, AV optimizations, Bubble studies, and Contrast studies. In addition:►Prepare a daily patient load of 32 for testing, assist with scheduling, billing, and as an effective problem solver, I am the point of contact for patient and staff issues. ►Troubleshoot cardiac ultrasound and physiologic equipment and work with vendors to resolve issues. ►Manage documentation to ensure the Echo Lab is operating accordingly and in compliance with Joint Commission standards. Key Accomplishments:►Achieved a steadfast progression from Cardiac Sonographer II within two years. I previously worked in Saint Joseph’s Cardiology Office/Heart and Vascular Lab. ► Instrumental in training students from various universities, residents and new-hires on department protocols and in providing technical advice for enhanced imaging.►Launched the department’s first huddle board that enhanced department’s performance and accountability. Serve as an integral member of the Employee Outreach Committee. ► Currently assisting for an upcoming accreditation. Show less

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  Medtronic

  Apr 2021 - now

  Senior Cardiovascular Technical Service Specialist