Summary

The MIT(Ultrasound) technologist operates ultrasound equipment to acquire diagnostic images of patients - and support ultrasound-guided procedures to enable the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Exam requests are screened for appropriateness and reviewed with a radiologist as needed. Exams are largely done by established protocol however some clinical presentations may require the technologist to tailor exams to meet the unique requirements or condition of the specific patient.

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
• 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
• 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: For purposes of this qualification standard the specialty areas of this occupation have been grouped into [seven] functional areas
• These are: Cardiovascular (Electrocardiograph Technician - Cardiac Catheterization Technician) Medical (Hemodialysis Technician) Surgical (Perfusion Technician - Anesthesia Technician) Neurology (Electroencephalograph Technician - Polysomnography Technician) Pulmonary (Pulmonary Function Technician) - and Imaging (Diagnostic Ultrasound Technician - Echocardiograph Technician - and Vascular Technician) [Gastroenterology (GI Technician)
• Medical Instrument Technicians at GS-6 and above will have a functional assignment and reference should be made to the appropriate appendix for qualifications evaluation
• Grade level criteria - KSAs (core competencies) - and typical assignment information for all GS-4 and GS-5 levels are defined generically in this part of the qualification standard
• For higher level positions where the grade level/assignment is based on supervisory and/or managerial responsibilities - criteria are also included in the general portion of this qualification standard (for individuals in multiple function assignments) and/or the specific appendices
• For non-supervisory positions at GS-6 and above and for supervisory positions in a single specialty - the grade level criteria - KSAs - and types of assignments are discussed in appendices matching the title areas listed below
• Reference should be made to the appropriate appendix in evaluating the qualifications of individuals for this occupation
• In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-8 full performance level - positions at this level may be lead - supervisory - or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and duties
• referred Experience: Minimum of 1 year experience post graduation from ultrasound program
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Frequent standing - walking - grasping - carrying - reaching - bending - stooping and speaking
• Lifting - carrying - pushing and pulling up to 25 pounds
• Frequent use of computer keyboard and phone
• Precise control of power-assisted equipment and devices.

Duties

• Major Duties: Receive patients - confirm patient identification - obtain patient history - provide patient education - provide reassurance and ensure patient comfort
• Perform fall risk assessment and mobilize appropriate assistive lifting and transfer devices as needed
• Review exam requests for appropriateness before performing exams
• Use appropriateness criteria - the clinical history provided on the request - patient interview - chart review or contact with the ordering clinician to clarify as needed
• Apply principles of customer service and whole health to promote a positive patient experience
• Assist schedulers in making appointments that are timely - coordinated with other appointments when possible to reduce travel burden - and aligned with the overall care plan
• Perform diagnostic ultrasound exams in outpatient and inpatient settings
• Exams include - but are not limited to: neck - abdomen and pelvis - chest - small parts - musculoskeletal - aortoiliac and venous studies
• Support image-guided procedures
• Facilitate timely review and scheduling of requested procedures
• Coordinate nursing and other support needed from other services
• Support ultrasound exams and ultrasound-guided procedures in the Women's Health Clinic including - transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound - SIS (Saline-Infusion Sonohysterography) - and ultrasound guided aspiration and biopsy
• Apply knowledge of PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication Systems) including fundamental knowledge of the network - image routing - quality control and basic troubleshooting
• Support ultrasound-guided procedures by non-radiologist providers such as for thoracentesis - paracentesis - and percutaneous biopsy and drainage
• Serve as an onsite preceptor for the AB Tech (Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College) Medical Sonography program
• Provide sonography students with didactic and hands-on instruction - ensuring a positive learning experience
• Provide oversight of student performance and progress - and provide evaluations to program faculty
• Provide instruction and support of POCUS (Point of Care Ultrasound)
• Assist non-radiologist users in the effective use of ultrasound including - basic principles - image optimization - scanning technique and other facets of use
• The incumbent reports to the Supervisor MIT (US) who manages immediate operations such as workflow - work assignments - breaks and lunches - technical consultation - troubleshooting and other facets of operations management
• The Supervisor MIT (US) also oversees work schedules - quality assurance and quality control - performance plans and performance appraisals
• The incumbent is responsible to maintain a significant level of self-directed exam workflow - quality assurance and safety while exercising technical proficiency in diagnostic US exams
• The Supervisor MIT (US) uses a variety of performance metrics to review work such as - repeat rate - sampling of cases for review - radiologist feedback - other data collection - observation - customer feedback and other sources
• Work assignments include data collection for performance improvement - equipment QC - exam tracking and audits and other administrative duties assigned by the Supervisor MIT (US)
• The incumbent is responsible to perform work assignments with required accuracy and timeliness - and to solicit guidance and clarification as needed
• Work is reviewed for completeness - accuracy - timeliness and other factors related to satisfactory performance
• Work Schedule: Intermittent Virtual: This is not a virtual position.