Medical Instrument Technician- Echocardiography

Summary This individual will work in the Cardiac Non‑Invasive Laboratory under the supervision of Staff Cardiologists at the Fredericksburg HCC. The incumbent is responsible for performing echocardiograms and stress echocardiograms. Qualifications 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 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 Licensure or Certification: Not required, but strongly desirable at GS‑6 or above as evidence of essential knowledge, skills, and abilities English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 – Part II – section D – paragraph 5a Grandfathering Provision: May qualify based on coverage 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. Positions at this grade may be lead, supervisory, or non‑supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and assignments Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level that is directly related to the duties of the position and must fully meet the KSAs at that level Technical KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge – Skills – and Abilities KSAs 1‑3 are required for all positions at this level; KSAs 4 and 5 may apply to the specific assignment Knowledge and Skills: Understanding of complex examination and treatment procedures, ability to provide training and supervision, evaluate and initiate performance improvement projects, write policies, procedures, and protocols pertaining to echocardiography, knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements, effective communication with employees at varying grade levels, ability to manage and supervise employees, and to provide staff development and training 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 Assignments: For duties above the full performance level, higher‑level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity, and variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time Preferred Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit Physical Requirements: Must have the physical ability to perform job‑related duties requiring lifting, standing, bending, transferring, stooping, stretching, walking, pushing, or pulling without assistance from another patient‑care provider or significant other A health examination must be successfully completed prior to this assignment and periodically thereafter as required by the Employee Health Clinic policy The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑9 Duties Perform a complete echocardiogram test, obtaining and recording real‑time two‑dimensional ultrasound images, m‑mode, pulsed and continuous wave, and color Doppler Make specific measurements and calculations that will be included in the echocardiogram test Operate a diagnostic ultrasound machine to obtain quality images that are digitally recorded for cardiologist review Prepare preliminary diagnostic reports for each echocardiogram for review by the cardiologist Alert physicians to findings that may require prompt intervention before an official interpretation can be rendered (e.g., severe pericardial effusion with tamponade, severe valvular disease) Organize daily workload in the echocardiography lab, order supplies, and maintain equipment Be flexible to perform stat/emergent echocardiograms Trouble‑shoot diagnostic ultrasound equipment when problems occur and call Biomedical technician to repair equipment Set up, perform, and analyze data for pharmacological stress, exercise stress, and contrast echocardiograms Monitor patient ECG and blood pressure during procedures Assist with transesophageal echocardiograms and record vital signs during stress echo, transesophageal echo, and post‑TEE recovery Keep up to date with echocardiographic literature and new technical developments Participate in clinical echocardiography reading sessions Participate in special research studies by performing transthoracic echos according to protocol Process encounter forms in CPRS for all echo tests performed (transthoracic, transesophageal, dobutamine stress, exercise stress) Maintain comprehensive knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and effectively perform during emergent situations; maintain CPR certification Perform routine daily checks of the crash cart, ensuring safe and continual functional operation of the equipment, and document in the crash cart log Cleans the TEE probe per protocol Other duties as assigned Benefits Work Schedule: 8 am – 4:30 pm Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases; higher step rate may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications Paid Time Off: 37–50 days of annual paid time offered per year (13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service experience Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment – up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for 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 eligible costs (monthly maximum $416.66) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% 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 #: 000000 #J-18808-Ljbffr