Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography)

Full Job Description

Summary The incumbent serves as a Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) within the Nursing Interventional Service Line of the VA Southern Nevada healthcare System. The VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System encompasses both inpatient and outpatient areas. Incumbent is responsible for all Echocardiograms, Stress Echos, Transesophageal Echos, and contrast Imaging performed at the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System. Responsibilities Major duties include but are not limited to the following: Advanced knowledge of complex and non-standard treatment and examination procedures and techniques. Plan and assist in the establishment of a completely integrated treatment and examination program. Knowledge of new products and equipment and make recommendations concerning developments which would improve operations. Knowledge of common equipment settings and standardized procedures plus knowledge of common errors and corrective measures. Perform diagnostic ultrasound examinations and echocardiographs. Locate and record internal elements of the body (for example, organs, tissues, skeletal members), displays their position and function, and identifies any anomalies indicative of disease, injury, or other medically significant condition, from ultrasound imaging and simultaneous recordings of the Doppler. Incorporate the causes and results of a variety of symptoms and conditions into a plan of ultrasonic diagnostic examination. Identify any exceptions to the expected outcome. Notify an appropriate health provider when immediate medical attention is necessary, based on procedural findings and patients' conditions. Upon assessment of the examination finding, recognize the need for an urgent rather than routine report and take appropriate action. Provide a written or oral summary of preliminary findings to the physician. Change and develop sounding techniques to accommodate such variables as limited patient mobility, variation in physical condition or dimension of patient, presence of prosthesis or foreign objects and ultrasonic response of different body parts. Produce diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency shift recordings using the M-mode, two- dimensional and Doppler ultrasound. Operate diagnostic ultrasonic scanning equipment to produce cross sectional and two-dimensional pictures of internal organs and body structures used to diagnose diseases and other medical conditions. Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday to Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00577F/Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications Basic Requirements: 1. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 2. English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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). Grade Determinations: Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography), GS-8 Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to produce diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode, two-dimensional, pulsed and continuous wave Doppler spectral display, and colorflow Doppler imaging. Knowledge of normal echocardiographic findings and deviations produced by a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases. Ability to perform complex procedures such as cardiac studies of the four chambers of the heart and valves using sector scanning techniques to detect stenotic and incompetent valves, chamber enlargement, and pericardial effusion and cardiovascular studies deriving pressure gradients across obstructed valves, etc. Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations (including noninvasive) transthoracic, Bubble studies and contrast echocardiography, (invasive) stress echocardiography, and transesophageal echocardiography. Ability to adapt transducer positioning, instrument controls, and examination techniques to the individual patient being studied and the problem being evaluated including recognizing pertinent abnormalities and documenting abnormal findings. Preferred Experience: Registered Cardiac Sonographer Certification preferred. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15, PART II, APPENDIX G27, Dated JUNE 7, 2012 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.