Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound)

Summary

This position is located in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - Southeast Network (VISN 7) - VA Augusta Health Care System (VAAHCS) in Augusta - Georgia. The Radiology/Imaging Service Medical Instrument Technician (DUT) operates diagnostic ultrasonic scanning equipment to produce cross sectional and two- and three-dimensional pictures. The incumbent also works off-hour shifts - weekends - and holidays as priorities demonstrate a need.

Qualifications

Diagnostic Ultrasound Technicians operate diagnostic ultrasonic scanning equipment to produce cross sectional and two dimensional pictures of internal organs and body structures used to diagnose diseases and other medical conditions. Registration is offered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS).

Basic Requirements:

• 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.) 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"
• 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
• 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
• 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: Medical Instrument Technician (DU) - GS-6 Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: 1
• Knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy in order to receive and interpret physician requests for routine - standardized ultrasonography procedures
• 2
• Knowledge of tissue harmonics and soundwave propagation within the body to adjust TGC (Time Gain Compensation) for optimal image quality
• 3
• Knowledge of the physics of velocity - frequency of soundwaves - and their physical properties
• 4
• Ability to set up and adjust the ultrasound equipment to meet the conditions of the examination and the patient and to operate the equipment for standardized - routine procedures
• 5
• Ability to interact with patients explaining procedures and positioning the patient for the procedure
• Certification
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable
• Assignment
• At this level - medical instrument technicians (diagnostic ultrasound) perform examinations which are routine and standardized in nature
• They position the patient as needed for the best test results - set up and adjust the ultrasound equipment to meet the condition of the examination and patient - move and adjust depths and types of scan in accordance with procedures - perform operator preventive maintenance and care of equipment - and assist higher graded technicians in performing more complicated examinations
• Medical Instrument Technician (DU) - GS-7 Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled
• This would be experience which provided the individual with the knowledge - skills - and abilities to independently conduct difficult but standardized diagnostic ultrasonography examinations
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: 1
• Ability to set up and adjust the ultrasound equipment to meet the conditions of the examination and the patient and to operate the equipment for more complex - but standardized procedures
• 2
• Knowledge of zoom - expansion - prospectus - color Doppler - and pulsed echo Doppler
• 3
• Knowledge of the digital transmission of images
• 4
• Ability to alter standard - but complex procedures and protocols to meet patient needs and physical limitations
• Certification
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable
• Assignment: At this level the medical instrument technician (diagnostic ultrasound) performs complex - standardized procedures independently
• They have the knowledge to alter procedures - equipment settings - transducers used - etc. - to accommodate patient needs and still produce a quality image for diagnostic purposes
• They will also be required to assist with the performance of more complicated procedures and non- standardized procedures in a developmental capacity
• Medical Instrument Technician (DU) - GS-8 Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled
• This would be experience which provided the overall knowledge - skills - and abilities to conduct diagnostic ultrasound examinations in complex and unusual cases
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: 1
• Ability to perform diagnostic ultrasound examination on multiple areas of the body - including - but not limited to - the abdomen - pelvis - transvaginal - chest - small parts - thyroid - breast - and scrotum
• 2
• Ability to perform vascular studies such as vertebral - renal artery - aortic aneurysm - portalsystemic shunts - etc
• 3
• Ability to assist radiologists with biopsy procedures determining the location - depth - and required needle angle for the lesion to be sampled
• 4
• Ability to assist in surgical procedures and fluid aspirations
• Certification
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable
• Assignment
• This represents the full performance level for medical instrument technician (diagnostic ultrasound)
• At this level the technician is required to perform a full range of procedures including special complicated examinations for which there are no standard instructions or procedures
• They perform independent portable ultrasound examinations in the intensive care units - emergency room - surgery - and throughout the Medical Center when required
• They also work independently on evenings - nights - and weekend tours of duty as scheduled and/or when on call
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-06 to GS-08
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Duties include - however - not limited to: Performs a full range of ultrasound procedures including special complicated examinations for which there may not be standard instructions or procedures
• Performs independent portable ultrasound examinations in intensive care units - emergency room - surgery - and the Medical Center when required
• Works independently on evenings - nights - and weekend tours of duty as scheduled and/or when on call
• Knows the principles and can operate the ultrasound equipment to approve the acceptability or reject ability of each scan
• Sets up and adjusts all equipment and manually maneuvers the transducer to perform the exam
• Records and processes images for interpretation by a staff Radiologist or resident
• Alerts Radiologist of emergent or abnormal findings and forwards initial interpretation of findings to Radiologist for final interpretation
• Advises Radiologist or radiology resident of preliminary results of exams
• Receives and identifies patients - explains methods and purpose of examinations - and assists movement of patients to and from: wheelchairs - stretchers - and tables
• Aligns - properly - and positions patients for examinations
• Coordinates and/or assist with the transportation of patients to and from the Ultrasound department
• Work Schedule: 1:30pm - 12:00am - Tuesday- Friday OR 7:30pm- 6:00am - Tuesday - Friday Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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 #: 59167F - 59166F - 59165F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

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The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.

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