Medical Instrument Technician-Supervisory Echocardiography Technician

Full Job Description

The Supervisory Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) serves as the senior technical and administrative leader for the Echocardiography and Electrocardiography (ECG/EKG) diagnostic teams within the Cardiology Section.

The incumbent is responsible for oversight of the daily operations, staff supervision, workflow coordination, quality assurance, performance improvement, and provision of high-quality cardiovascular diagnostic services across multiple care settings.

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.

Supervisory Echocardiography Technician.

Individuals at this level plan and direct programs at affiliated medical centers and satellite outpatient clinics and have full supervisory responsibility for a large staff of non-supervisory personnel and at least one subordinate team leader or supervisor.

Typically these duties include assigning and evaluating the work of subordinate staff resolving problems which may interfere with patient examination or treatment; providing echocardiography technician services in more complex and non-standard cases; evaluating new products and equipment and making recommendations concerning developments which would improve operations; participating as an instructor in the facility's clinical training program; making final decisions on selections based on recommendations from subordinate supervisors or leads; evaluating performance; taking disciplinary action when necessary; and identifying educational or training needs.

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. English Language Proficiency.

Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d).

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 meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

GS-10 Experience.

Must have at least one (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 full performance 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities( KSAs) and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

1. Advanced knowledge of complex and non-standard treatment and examination procedures and techniques. *2.

Ability to plan and assist in the establishment of a completely integrated treatment and examination program. *3.

Ability to evaluate new products and equipment and make recommendations concerning developments which would improve operations. *4.

Ability to manage the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (which would include fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget.

*5.

Knowledge of and ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluation; selection of staff; and recommendation of awards, advancements, and, when appropriate, disciplinary actions.

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-10.

Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to travel to treatment areas with ease while pushing an Echo Machine.

The incumbent must be able to stand for up to 8-10 hours while providing patient care. The incumbent must be able to lift up to 20 pounds of equipment, supplies and records.

The incumbent must be able to manipulate the probes during the procedure, pushing against the patient's chest to obtain the appropriate images.

Additionally, the incumbent will be required to transport patients on stretchers, beds and wheelchairs. There is the potential for extended periods of sitting at computer terminals.

The incumbent is expected to use proper preventive ergonomic techniques to perform duties. Major Duties:

Functions or Scopes of Practice: Assigning and directing work across echo and ECG teams; coordinating coverage across inpatient, outpatient, procedural, and emergent settings.

Managing daily workflow, adjusting staffing according to clinical priorities and unplanned operational demands.

Conducting performance evaluations, mid-term reviews, and ongoing clinical competency assessments for both echo and ECG personnel.

Ensuring standardized training, cross-training opportunities, and annual competency validation for all supervised staff.

Monitoring time and attendance, approving leave/and maintaining staffing schedules for both diagnostic units.

Identifying staff development needs; providing counseling, coaching, and recommending disciplinary actions as appropriate.

Ensuring adherence to TVHS, VHA, and federal policies, including safety requirements, documentation standards, infection control, and compliance guidelines.

Preparing operational reports, workload analysis, productivity summaries, and quality metrics across both service lines.

Develops, implements, and maintains policies, SOPs, and clinical protocols for both the Echocardiography Lab and ECG program.

Leads QA/QI programs for both modalities, including; Image quality review and reporting accuracy (ECHO) Rhythm Strip and 12-lead ECG quality audits (EKG) Protocol adherence audits and peer review Ensures compliance with Joint Commission requirements and alignment with ASE, IAC, and American College of Cardiology (ACC/AHA) standards.

Coordinates equipment maintenance, preventive service, and repair for echo machines, ECG carts, telemetry systems, and related diagnostic equipment.

Evaluates and recommends new technologies, software systems, and equipment for both diagnostic disciplines.

CLINICAL DUTIES (Echocardiography) Comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography with full quantitative analysis.

M-Mode, 2-D, spectral Doppler, color Doppler, tissue Doppler, and strain imaging Contrast-enhanced echocardiography, including IV access and monitoring Exercise and dobutamine stress echocardiography Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) support Rapid assessment of urgent/emergent cardiac conditions and reprioritization of patient flow Direct communication of critical findings to the treating provider TECHNICAL OVERSIGNT (Electrocardiography) Oversees the performance and technical quality of 12-lead ECGs, rhythm strips, Holter monitors, event monitors, and related cardiac monitoring procedures Ensures appropriate ECG acquisition protocols, equipment calibration, and troubleshooting Oversees scanning, uploading, and integration of the ECG tracings into CPRS/VISTA/ECG management systems Ensures competency in recognition of critical arrhythmias and urgency of escalation to clinical staff EDUCATION AND TRAINING: Provides orientation, training, and competency verification for all new echo and ECG personnel Provides echocardiography and ECG instruction to cardiology fellows, residents, students, and nursing staff.

Develops in-service programs and continuing education for both echo and ECG teams.

Regulatory, Safety, and Compliance: Ensures compliance with infection control, including TEE probe reprocessing, high-level disinfection logs, and device tracking Ensures safety protocols for contrast administration, stress echo testing, ECG equipment usage, and patient monitoring Maintains BLS certification and ensures team readiness for emergent patient care events Protects sensitive patient data in accordance with Privacy Act, HIPPA, VA Handbook 6500, and all relevant cybersecurity requirements Medical Technologist: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Technologist-Career-Flyer.pdf Work Schedule: Monday - Friday from 7:30am until 4 pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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) 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 #: 71026-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized