Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography)

Full Job Description

This Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) position serves under the direction of Cardiology in Specialty Care at the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System in Biloxi, MS.

Basic Requirements: United States 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.

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.

Education: There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation.

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.

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: In addition to the basic requirements, VA HR staff must use the following criteria to determine the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) GS-9 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 (*): 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.

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 training. Certification.

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

Preferred Experience: Preferred candidate will possess comprehensive echocardiography experience, including proficiency in performing advance cardiac ultrasound procedures such as 2D and 3D echo, color flow imaging, doppler, strain imaging, bubble studies, contrast and stress echocardiography.

Candidate should demonstrate strong technical knowledge of cardiovascular diagnostics and workflow, with experience obtaining high-quality diagnostic images while ensuring patient safety and comfort.

Additional preferred experience includes EKG acquisition, halter monitor application and analysis, ambulatory cardiac monitoring, and cardiac stress testing procedures.

Ability to function independently in a clinical setting while collaborating with cardiology providers and multidisciplinary teams is highly 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 09.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position.

May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing.

May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated.

However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Major Duties:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties of the Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) include, but are not limited to: Performs the full range of echocardiography procedures and related examinations including special procedures such as 3-dimensional echocardiography, strain, and stress echocardiography.

Performs full volume, right, and left ventricular (LV) quantification and valvular abnormality assessments.

Administers agitated saline for bubble studies and administers ultrasound enhancing agents (UEA) based on physician orders.

Performs echocardiography surveillance imaging techniques for a variety of cardiac conditions including structural heart pre/post device placement.

Teaches basic techniques to cardiology residents and fellows, and students assigned to the Echo Lab. Provides on-call echo coverage during off duty hours including weekends and holidays.

Manages echo call schedules and provider procedure interpretation schedules. Performs preventative maintenance of equipment and coordinates service with biomedical engineering.

Assists in writing Policies, Procedures and Protocol development. Assists in performance of contrast echocardiograms and performs contrast enhancing agents i.e. Agitated Saline, Definity, Optison.

Assists with EKGs and Stress Echoes as needed. Assists in maintaining and ordering adequate supplies. Assists in cardiology with consults and tracking to include inpatient and outpatient consults.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30-4:00pm, subject to change based on the needs of the facility.

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 #: 520-01270F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized