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Summary

This position represents an above 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 also work independently on evenings - nights - and weekend tours of duty as scheduled and/or when on call. Incumbent is responsible for providing staff development and training to staff.

Qualifications

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
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• English Language Proficiency
• Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English
• GRADE REQUIREMENTS Definitions: For purposes of this qualification standard the specialty areas of this occupation have been grouped into seven functional areas
• 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)
• Creditable Experience - Knowledge of Current Medical Instrument Technician Practices
• To be creditable - the experience must have required the use of knowledge - skills - abilities and other characteristics associated with current Medical Instrument Technician practice appropriate to the identified specialty area
• [Specialized developmental experience obtained under supervision of appropriately certified individuals may be credited at higher levels and is addressed in individual appendices.] Quality of Experience
• Experience is only creditable if it is equivalent to at least the next lower grade level and is directly related to the position/specialty to be filled
• Part-time Experience
• Part time experience is credited according to its relationship to a full time work week
• For example - an individual employed 20 hours per week - or on a ½ time basis would receive one work week credit for each two weeks of service
• GRADE DETERMINATIONS: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the criteria discussed in the applicable headings - or that defined in the appendices - must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-9. 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
• (a) Experience
• At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade 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 specialized experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of diagnostic ultrasonography services
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): (b) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• KSAs 1 - 2 - and 3 are appropriate for all positions at this level
• KSAs 4 and 5 are to be used in accordance with their appropriateness for the specific assignment
• 1
• Knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques in order to provide training and supervision in these procedures - to evaluate and initiate performance improvement projects - and to write policies - procedures - and protocols that pertain to diagnostic ultrasonography
• *2
• Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements
• 3
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels
• *4
• Ability to manage and supervise employees *5
• Ability to provide - or provide for - staff development and training
• (c) Certification
• Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) is highly desirable
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable
• (d) Assignments
• For all assignments above the full performance level - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - complexity (difficulty) - and range of variety - and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• GS-0649-09 Special Assignments
• Non-supervisory diagnostic ultrasound technicians may have assignments that because of their nature substantially exceed the full performance level
• The Professional Standards Board will review proposed non-supervisory special assignments for the GS-9 level and make a determination regarding their appropriateness
• These assignments are expected to be relatively few in number and must represent substantial additional responsibility over the full performance level
• 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-9.

Duties

• The incumbent will perform the following duties and responsibilities of a staff registered sonographer/technician which include but are not limited to: Performance of complex ultrasound examinations including breast - abdominal - renal - gynecological and small parts scanning - vascular - cerebrovascular system - lower arterial extremities - Doppler exams
• Transport of patients from wheelchairs and stretchers onto the ultrasound table
• Positioning of patients and selection of proper technical factors based on the individual patients medical condition and the procedure requested
• Performs consultations with clinicians to obtain complete clinical history
• gather pertinent clinical data
• Interpretation of sonographic images through comparison with known normal anatomic structures
• Selection of proper images for photography
• Assists physicians with various interventional biopsies in ultrasound
• Knowledge of equipment and software (P ACS) The incumbent is responsible for the quality assurance of the image (positioning/label/technique/ network information) prior to transmission to the PAC's network
• Maintains ultrasound exam records and/or reports for research studies and interesting case studies
• Schedules emergency ultrasound examinations
• Maintains a clean work area and adequate level of supplies with the ultrasound suite at all times
• Performs computer work and required forms associated with patient exams - complications and/or quality improvement activities
• Provides training staff development and guidance to students and residents from the affiliated programs
• Establishes policies and protocols with Ultrasound physicians
• The incumbent will participate in on-call or standby to provide 24 hour\\ 7 day week coverage
• Provide education to patients and their families on ultrasound procedures
• Clerical and file room duties related to patient care
• Other duties as assigned of a related nature
• Work Schedule: Tours of duty may vary depending on the internal department needs with weekdays - weekends - day and evening shift schedules
• Retention Incentive: Retention incentive approved after 90 days of successful performance
• 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) 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
• Functional Statement #: 11550F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized