Career Center

Summary

The Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) is be part of the VISN 15 Hub and Spoke Network and the incumbent will be expected to travel to the surrounding Community-Based Outpatient Clinics.

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
• English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoke and written English in accordance with VA policy 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
• Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable 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-9. In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-8 full performance level - positions at this grade may be lead - supervisory - or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and assignments
• (a) Experience
• At least 1 year 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 experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of echocardiography 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 Echocardiography
• *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) 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
• 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)
• 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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-9
• Physical Requirements: The majority of the work is sedentary - but can involve walking - pushing - bending - standing - moderate lifting and carrying light items such as books - files and supplies as needed.

Duties

• The incumbent works in coordination with the cardiology team at the Truman VA Medical Center in Columbia - MO to provide ultrasound imaging of the heart for cardiac diagnostic testing
• The Echocardiography Technician will be part of the VISN 15 Hub and Spoke Network and is expected to travel for the position
• The duties of this position include but are not limited to: Close interaction with cardiologists who interpret the echocardiograms
• as well as trainees - nurses - and the multidisciplinary teams in the care of the cardiac patient
• Work with and learn new techniques as the field of diagnostic echocardiography grows Participation in quality improvement activities Performs high level of cardiovascular testing with cardiology physicians and performs transthoracic echocardiograms - transesophageal echocardiograms and stress echocardiograms Travel to multiple duty locations within the Cardiology Hub and Spoke Network (mainly Camdenton and Sedalia) for team meetings and other clinical responsibilities Inventory and coordination of supplies necessary to conduct echocardiograms Work with Biomedical engineering to maintain all ultrasound equipment Ensure timely transfer of diagnostic images to the reporting server for inpatient and outpatient exams Operation of diagnostic equipment to provide adequate imaging of 2D - 3D - doppler - and M-mode imaging of the heart and associated structures Work Schedule: 20 Hours per week between the hours of 8:00am-4:30pm - Monday-Friday
• Schedule to be discussed during interview process Compressed/Flexible: Not available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized 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
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized