Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound)

Full Job Description

The Diagnostic Ultrasound Technicians performs general and vascular ultrasound procedures for the diagnosis of various functional disorders.

These exams are performed on general and vascular ultrasound equipment.

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.

Basic Requirements: Citizenship. 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".

Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 Hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation.

Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation.

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-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.

(a) Experience. At least 1 year of 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 specialized experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of diagnostic ultrasonography services.

Examples of specialized experience include performing procedures including special complicated examinations for which there is no standard instructions or procedures; conducting independent portable ultrasound examinations in intensive care units, emergency rooms, and surgery departments.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

KSAs 1, 2, and 3 are appropriate for all positions at this level. KSAs 4 and 5 are to be used in accordance with their appropriateness for the specific assignment. 1.

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 diagnostic ultrasonography.

*2. Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements. 3. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. *4. Ability to manage and supervise employees.

*5. Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training. Certification.

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

Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable. Assignments.

For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

Special Assignments. Non-supervisory diagnostic ultrasound 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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS08.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS09.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position.

Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Major Duties:

Duties include but are not limited to: Performs general ultrasound examinations such as abdomen, neck, chest, pelvis, retroperitoneal and extremities.

Performs vascular examinations such as arterial and carotid. All for the purpose of acquiring high quality examinations that assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patient medical disorders.

Maintains and cleans all ultrasound probes in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

Advises radiologists of significant abnormalities that would require their immediate attention and visualization while the patient is undergoing examination.

Performs routine clerical procedures for the purpose of maintaining accurate ultrasound records so that easy recall of patient examinations is achieved. Schedules outpatients for ultrasound studies.

Maintains a patient schedule log, procedure log, editing and registering patients in the Radiology Information System (RIS).

Assists the radiologist in the performance of cyst punctures, aspiration, biopsies and vacuum assisted biopsies for the purpose of diagnostic treatment using ultrasound techniques.

Reviews new developments in the field and recommends to Imaging manager those that would improve the operation of the ultrasound department.

Maintains adequate supplies so that the examinations are not delayed due to lack of necessary equipment and supplies.

Develops and maintains patient prep procedures so that patients and wards understand the proper preparations for ultrasound examinations in an effort to minimize delays of examinations.

These preps are disseminated either by written preparation information or by telephone conversation.

Explains examinations to be performed to the patients and wards so that an understanding of the purpose of the study as well as any requirements of the patients are thoroughly understood.

This is done so that an adequate ultrasound exam may be obtained in an effort to get diagnostic examinations for the purpose of treatment and diagnosis of disorders.

Distributes ultrasound examinations and related information to the radiologist responsible for the interpretation of the exams.

This is done so that treatment based on diagnosis may be effectuated in a timely manner.

Performs daily checks of cables, machine and transducers for the purpose of assuring peak performance of the ultrasound equipment The technologist performs these studies in the Ultrasound department and at bedside when appropriate.

Incumbent schedules outpatient clinic appointment using Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) scheduling options.

Uses established business rules to schedule appointments for veterans. This includes clinic visits, consultations and entries into the Electronic Wait List (EWL).

Complies with the mandatory training requirements for the outpatient scheduling process.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM Compressed/Flexible: Not Eligible Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized