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. English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

Licensure or Certification: Licensure or Certification is not required for this occupation; however, 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 desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable.

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

Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level GS-08, which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. This would be experience which provided the overall knowledge, skills, and abilities to conduct diagnostic echocardiography examinations in complex and unusual cases.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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 manage and supervise employees. Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and trainin 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-09.

03Physical Requirements

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

As the only in-house heart transplant facility in the country we are involved in the care of an expanding population of patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs). The incumbent will be expected to perform transthoracic echocardiograms on Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) patients. This will include both patients in the inpatient and outpatient setting and will also include the performance of ramp studies for optimization of LVAD hemodynamics.

Protocols for LVAD echocardiograms will be determined by the director of the non-invasive lab and by the other echocardiographers and heart failure/transplant physicians. Major Duties included but are not limited to: Perform diagnostic cardiac ultrasound: the incumbent will use M-mode and two-dimensional ultrasound to image the pericardium, cardiac walls, chambers, septa, and valves. Knowledge of the physics of ultrasound and of the technology behind the echocardiographic instrumentation.

Knowledge of cardiac anatomy and pathophysiology, and knowledge of the limitations imposed by the physics and the equipment. Knowledge of cardiac cross-sectional anatomy to be able to identify intracardiac structures in order to select the correct transducer and gain settings to minimize artifact on acquisition, in addition to recognizing subtle equipment malfunctions.

Perform a complete echocardiogram study by obtaining and recording two and three dimensional ultrasound pictures, m-mode, pulsed wave, continuous wave, and color Doppler, as well as, Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). Setting up, performing, and analyzing data of pharmacological stress, exercise stress, and contrast echocardiograms. Prepare a preliminary diagnostic report for each echocardiogram done for review by the cardiologist using the Cardiology Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS).

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.