Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography)

Full Job Description

The Charleston VA Healthcare System is a seeking Highly Motivated Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography)!

The incumbent will be assigned to the Cardiology Section and must have knowledge of thoracic anatomy and physiology. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: a. Citizenship. Citizenship of the United States.

(Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) b. 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. c. 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. d.

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).

Grade 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.

(a) 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 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. 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 Echocardiography.

*2. Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements. 3. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. (c) 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 desirable.

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

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-08.

The actual grade at which an applicant will be selected is GS-09. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Major Duties:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) performs assigned duties of significant scope, complexity, and variety.

The Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) identifies and records anomalies indicative of disease, injury, or other medically significant condition from ultrasound imaging and simultaneous recordings of the Doppler.

Duties include, but are not limited to: The Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership, experience, and creative approaches to managing complex systems including the following: Incumbent has advanced knowledge of complex and non-standard treatment and exam procedure techniques.

The Cardiac Sonographer must use independent judgment in applying knowledge of clinical Cardiology and ultrasound, and Doppler principles.

Has knowledge of the more complex exam procedures and techniques sufficient to provide training and supervision in these procedures.

Technical expert in the operation, calibration and maintenance of the specialized equipment in the ECHO lab. Performs digital image management and acts as Super User for imaging storage system.

Acts as a resource and mentors' staff and cardiology trainees in their development of the echocardiography imaging skills.

Ensures productivity is maintained at the established level for the program for which he/she is responsible.

Performs complex procedures such as cardiac studies of the 4 chambers of the heart and valves using sector scanning techniques to detect stenotic and incompetent valves, chamber enlargement, and pericardial effusion, thrombus and pressure gradients across obstructed valves.

Performs diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency shift recordings using Mmode, 2-D, pulsed and continuous wave Doppler spectral display and color flow Doppler imaging.

Performs transesophageal echocardiograms dobutamine and exercise stress and 3D echocardiograms.

Adapts transducer positioning, instrument controls and examination techniques to the individual patient and to the problem to be evaluated.

Demonstrates competency to start IV's and performs saline contrast studies.

Evaluates and initiates performance improvements projects, write policies, procedures, and protocols that pertain to Echocardiography.

Has knowledge of The Joint Commission and other regulatory requirements. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels.

Performs quality assurance reviews on ECHO equipment and processes. Demonstrates leadership and manages workflow between Echo clinics and triages inpatient procedure requests on a daily basis.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday | 7:30am to 4:00pm Recruitment Incentive (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 #:58571F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.