Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography)

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

01Basic Requirements

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Licensure or Certification. Licensure or Certification is not required for this occupation; however, it is strongly desirable at GS-6 or above as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities.

For certain functional areas at the higher levels or supervisory assignments, specific certifications appropriate to the specialty are indicated in this standard under "Titles and Certification/Registrations". For all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition. Grandfathering Provision.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Echocardiography Technicians operate diagnostic equipment to graphically record the position and motion of the heart walls or the internal structure of the heart and neighboring tissue by the echo obtained from beams of ultrasonic waves directed through the chest wall.

Registration is offered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI), as a Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS). (See Appendix D) and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation. English Language Proficiency.

Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, in order to perform the duties in this position. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

02Grade Determinations

Medical Instrument Technician ( Echocardiography)-GS-9 In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-8 full performance level, positions at this grade may be lead, supervisory, or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and assignments. Experience. At least 1 year experience comparable to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level.

This would be experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of echocardiography services. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: Knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques in order to provide training and supervision in these procedures, to evaluate and initiate performance improvement projects, and to write policies, procedures, and protocols, that pertain to Echocardiography.

Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training. Certification. Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) is highly 30 desirable.

Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable. Special Assignment. Non-supervisory echocardiography technicians may have assignments that because of their nature substantially exceed the full performance level. The Professional Standards Board will review proposed non-supervisory special assignments for the GS-9 level and make a determination regarding their appropriateness.

These assignments are expected to be relatively few in number and must represent substantial additional responsibility over the full performance level.

03Preferred Experience

Professional certification as a Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI), as a Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) strongly preferred. Experience administering ultrasound/echo enhancing agents strongly preferred. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9.

04Physical Requirements

Must be in overall good health, able to sit at a desk working at a computer, engage in light to moderate physical activity including sitting, walking, bending, and carrying supplies. Applicants must be able to perform primarily light and sedentary duties with occasionally moderate physical demands, exercise patience, and control emotions, with reasonable accommodation, if necessary, without endangering the health and safety of the applicant or others.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Will use the Electronic Health Record (EHR) to review patient information/history including but not limited to vitals, orders, prior studies and scheduled appointments. The Technician will be capable of Basic Life Support interventions if needed and will maintain an up-to date BLS certificate.

The incumbent has the ability to perform and interpret cardiac/echocardiogram ultrasonography and related special procedures, i.e. Trans Esophageal Echocardiograms (TEE), bubble studies, contrast studies and invasive stress testing. Works closely with the Cardiologist to keep abreast of the latest measurements and techniques in echo-cardiology. Knowledge of cardiac arrhythmias and their relationship to hemodynamic conditions of the cardiac cycle.

Maintains and keeps abreast of normal and abnormal results in each given scan. Familiarity with the manifestation of various diseases so particular attention can be given to that organ with that process in mind. The ability to recognize normal and abnormal tissue masses and densities with relation to the results it entails. The ability to recognize life threatening conditions which require the immediate attention and notification of the provider.

Ability to perform complex procedures such as cardiac studies of the heart valves and chambers using sector scanning techniques to detect stenotic and incompetent valves, chamber enlargement, pericardial effusion and other cardiovascular studies deriving pressure gradients. Ability to perform quality images and Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode, two-dimensional, pulsed and continuous Doppler and color flow Doppler imaging.

Maintains adequate records, including identification of scans, daily log and preliminary diagnosis for further reference. Maintains ultrasound equipment and supplies for the ultrasound department. Specific knowledge of proper and approved cleaning of the equipment is necessary. In charge of coordinating maintenance and installation of upgrades and new equipment.

The Technician will evaluate the quality of the images obtained and the performance related equipment on an ongoing basis, reporting deficiencies in image quality or equipment function to the supervisor or other appropriate party to ensure correction or repair.

Skilled in positioning patients for a wide variety of examinations, adapting instrument controls, and examination techniques to the individual patient being studied and the problem being evaluated including recognizing pertinent abnormalities and documenting abnormal findings. Technicians will use their specialized knowledge of cardiac anatomy and physiology to recognize, when possible, abnormalities that are of immediate clinical significance and may require urgent interventions.

The technologist will communicate their findings to the ordering provider or appropriate coverage for any critical findings within 30 minutes. Urgent but not life-threatening findings will be notified to the ordering provider as a direct verbal notification or TEAMS communication to the appropriate coverage, same business day and within 3 hours. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday; 08:00am-04:30pm; Compressed 6:30am-5:00pm Tuesday-Friday.

Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:93322A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized