Summary

The Echocardiography Technician is assigned to the Cardiology Section and has knowledge of thoracic anatomy and physiology. The Echo Tech performs assigned duties of significant scope - complexity and variety. A recruitment/relocation incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate

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
• 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
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• 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 (Echocardiography) GS-8 (a) 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 echocardiography examinations in complex and unusual cases
• This is demonstrated by working knowledge of transthoracic echocardiograms in all views with colorflow and some Doppler - conducting cardiac testing to determine the severity and variety of cardiac problems - i.e. - valvular dysfunction - myocardial wall kinesia - effusions - endocardial lesions - etc. - set-up for transesophageal echocardiograms - and 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
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (b) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities 1
• Ability to produce diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode - two-dimensional - pulsed and continuous wave Doppler spectral display - and color flow Doppler imaging
• 2
• Knowledge of normal echocardiographic findings and deviations produced by a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases
• 3
• Ability to perform complex procedures such as cardiac studies of the four chambers of the heart and valves using sector scanning techniques to detect stenotic and incompetent valves - chamber enlargement - and pericardial effusion and cardiovascular studies deriving pressure gradients across obstructed valves - etc
• 4
• Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations (including noninvasive) transthoracic - Bubble studies and contrast echocardiography - (invasive) stress echocardiography - and transesophageal echocardiography
• 5
• Ability to adapt transducer positioning - instrument controls - and examination techniques to the individual patient being studied and the problem being evaluated including recognizing pertinent abnormalities and documenting abnormal findings
• Certification
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable
• Preferred Experience: 3-5 years experience as a registered cardiac sonographer
• 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-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

• The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being
• Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Major duties include but are not limited to: Performs diagnostic quality images and doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode - 2-D - pulsed and continuous wave doppler spectral display and color flow doppler imaging
• Performs complex diagnostic procedures such as acquiring images of the chambers of the heart and valves using sector scanning techniques to detect normal - stenotic and incompetent valves - chamber dimensions - pericardial effusion - thrombus formation - congenital heart disease and valvular pressure gradients
• Performs ultrasonic examinations transthoracic echocardiography - with or without Bubble studies and contrast echocardiography
• Performs transesophageal echocardiograms (TEE) - exercise stress and dobutamine echocardiogram tests - low dose dobutamine stress echocardiogram tests - 3D Echocardiograms and strain imaging
• Assists in preparing and setting up for TEEs to include but not limited to gathering supplies for contrast injections and attaching patient monitoring equipment
• Adapts transducer positioning - instrument controls and examination techniques to the individual patient and to the pathology to be evaluated - recognizes pathology and reports critical values to the Cardiologists
• - Rooms patient - reviews procedure with patient - and monitors patient's condition during procedures
• Triages inpatient procedure requests on a daily basis
• Ensures that inpatient exams are completed in a timely manner
• Accurately documents information in the medical record and any other clinical or administrative applications
• Technical expert in the operation - calibration and maintenance of the specialized equipment in the Echo Lab
• Performs digital image management and acts as a Super User for imaging storage system
• Assists billing and coding with interpretation of exams and follows up on outstanding billing and coding issues
• Completes encounters on all Echo's performed using the correct CPT codes - diagnosis - service connection status and other field as required and assists management in overall encounter practices in Echo laboratory
• Work Schedule: 7:00am to 3:30pm - Monday-Friday Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): A recruitment/relocation incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate
• 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
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized