Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound)

Full Job Description

The Diagnostic Ultrasound Technician is regarded as the expert source for ultrasound imaging and assists the interpreting radiologist to provide a final interpretation.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education.

There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation. Education may be substituted for experience only at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels.

See the grade requirements part of this standard for information regarding educational substitutions. 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.

Diagnostic Ultrasound Technicians 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.

Registration is offered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS).

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: GS-6: Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable. 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.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy in order to receive and interpret physician requests for routine, standardized ultrasonography procedures.

Knowledge of tissue harmonics and soundwave propagation within the body to adjust TGC (Time Gain Compensation) for optimal image quality.

Knowledge of the physics of velocity, frequency of soundwaves, and their physical properties.

Ability to set up and adjust the ultrasound equipment to meet the conditions of the examination and the patient and to operate the equipment for standardized, routine procedures.

Ability to interact with patients explaining procedures and positioning the patient for the procedure. GS-7: Certification.

Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable. 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 individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to independently conduct difficult but standardized diagnostic ultrasonography examinations.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ability to set up and adjust the ultrasound equipment to meet the conditions of the examination and the patient and to operate the equipment for more complex, but standardized procedures.

Knowledge of zoom, expansion, prospectus, color Doppler, and pulsed echo Doppler. Knowledge of the digital transmission of images.

Ability to alter standard, but complex procedures and protocols to meet patient needs and physical limitations. GS-8: Certification.

Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable. 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 ultrasound examinations in complex and unusual cases.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Ability to perform diagnostic ultrasound examination on multiple areas of the body, including, but not limited to, the abdomen, pelvis, transvaginal, chest, small parts, thyroid, breast, and scrotum.

Ability to perform vascular studies such as vertebral, renal artery, aortic aneurysm, portal-systemic shunts, etc.

Ability to assist radiologists with biopsy procedures determining the location, depth, and required needle angle for the lesion to be sampled.

Ability to assist in surgical procedures and fluid aspirations. Preferred Experience: Experience scanning abdomen, limited vascular, carotid studies, and small parts.

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-8.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-6 to GS-8.

Physical Requirements: moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds), pushing (2 hours), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking and standing (4 hours), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), exposure to electrical energy, exposure to overuse of arms and shoulders, working closely with others, working alone.

Major Duties:

Duties will vary based on grade.

At the GS-8 full performance level of this assignment, the incumbent will be competent in the production, use, recognition, and analysis of ultrasound images and patterns used for patient diagnosis and treatment.

Duties will include: Performs a wide range of Diagnostic Abdominal Ultrasound examinations to include but not limit to the: liver, gallbladder, pancreas, appendix, spleen, kidney's, bladder, aorta, portal vein, Doppler studies of blood flow to and from the major organs, this includes imaging of the scrotum and testicles .

Performs ultrasound examinations of the female pelvis to include both transabdominal and transvaginal imaging of the vagina, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and surrounding anatomy.

Performs non-invasive Vascular Ultrasound examinations with Doppler interrogation to include but not limit to Carotids, Venous imaging of upper and lower extremities.

Knows and understands the principles of ultrasound and the highly specialized equipment well enough to essentially approve the acceptability or rejectability of each scan.

This includes: preparation and supplies, scanning motions, TCG (Time Compensated Gain), Doppler, Doppler color flow, zoom or expansion, hard copy, picture-oriented examination, organ-oriented examination and initial interpretation the examination.

Controls technical factors on ultrasound unit, which will affect time, gain, amplitude, velocity, frequency, attenuation, absorption, reflection, scattering, refraction and diffraction.

Selects between non-focused, fixed-focus, linear phased array and annular phased array, transducers depending on the examination and the anatomy to be imaged.

Advises radiologist or referring physician of results of exams.

Maintains effective control of the ultrasound area by coordinating, planning, organizing and executing the daily work potential to expedite workflow patterns within the departments.

Enters patient notes into the Computerized Patient Record System.

Receives and identifies patients, explains methods of procedures, assists movement of patients to and from wheelchairs, carts and tables, positions the patient and performs examinations requested.

Coordinates and performs all examination scheduling. Evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures and rearranges priorities to accommodate them.

Maintains records of patients treated, exams performed, scans taken, etc.

Has a thorough knowledge of all ultrasound procedures and examinations and keeps abreast of technological advances in the field of ultrasound and incorporates these advances into new examination procedures and in-service educational programs for the radiology technical staff.

Manages and trains rotating x-ray and ultrasound students and technologists in ultrasound. Manages and trains volunteers working within the Ultrasound Department.

Maintains a quality assurance program of all ultrasound scanning equipment, TV and video and cameras. Performs preventative maintenance as required.

Troubleshoots equipment used in Ultrasound and is able to make minor repairs and/or adjustments. Exercises extreme caution in the handling and safeguarding of all equipment.

Must recognize and report major equipment malfunctions within a timely manner to a biomedical service representative. Properly identifies patient images and exams.

This is essential so that mistaken identity of films/images/exams to patients does not occur. The ultrasound technician must be certain patient identification and the requests are identical.

Varies tests or treatment procedures as needed to compensate for patient's age, individual medical conditions, and body habitus.

Interviews patient obtaining pertinent medical history and precise medication usage as it pertains to the procedure to be performed.

Explains to competent patients the rationale of procedures and instructions on how to complete the procedure. And reports patient history to interpreting radiologists.

Assists radiologists and other non-radiologic physicians during Ultrasound guided drainages.

Performs other related duties as deemed necessary such as, but not limited to, answering telephones, assist with scheduling patients, performing inventories, monitoring room utilization, and maintaining equipment maintenance records.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 9-5:30pm or Tuesday-Thursday 8-6:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized