Medical Instrument Technician; Diagnostic Ultrasound

Overview

The VA Central Iowa Health Care System is recruiting for 1 full-time Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound) for the Diagnostic Imaging Service Line.

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
• 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
• 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
• English Language Proficiency:
  Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a
• Grandfathering Provision:
  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: GS-9 Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound) –
  
  Experience:
  
  At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and fully meeting the KSAs at that level
• Experience and KSAs:
  This would be specialized experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required to provide all aspects of diagnostic ultrasonography services, including performing diagnostic ultrasound examinations on multiple body areas (e.g., abdomen, pelvis, transvaginal, chest, small parts, thyroid, breast, scrotum); performing vascular studies; assisting radiologists with biopsy procedures; assisting in surgical procedures and fluid aspirations
• Technical KSAs and ability to acquire assignment-specific KSAs:
  Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities; knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements; ability to communicate effectively with employees at varying grade levels; ability to provide or arrange staff development and training
• 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
• Note:
  
  For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Standards/
• Work Level: The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9; the actual grade at which an applicant may be selected is GS-9

• The MIT coordinates a variety of technical procedures that require independent judgment and initiative in the application of non-ionizing high-frequency ultrasonic waves to humans for diagnosis
• Controls technical factors on the ultrasound unit that affect time, gain, amplitude, velocity, frequency, attenuation, absorption, reflection, scattering, refraction, and diffraction
• Sets up and adjusts equipment and manually maneuvers the transducer to perform exams
• Positions patients appropriately and explains procedures
• Receives patients, assists movement to/from wheelchairs, prepares patients for exams, and documents findings
• Evaluates urgent or emergency procedures and adjusts priorities accordingly
• Performs ultrasonography studies and prepares media for interpretation by the Staff Radiologist; maintains records in the Vista radiology package
• Schedules and prepares patients for exams and communicates procedures to patients
• Acquires pertinent diagnostic examinations for correlation with clinical history
• Performs diagnostic ultrasound examinations on multiple body areas (abdomen, pelvis, transvaginal, chest, small parts, thyroid, breast, scrotum) and routinely performs vascular studies
• Assists radiologists with biopsy procedures and with surgical procedures and fluid aspirations
• Maintains sterile technique and enforces质量 (enforce) sterile practices
• Differentiates artifacts from pathology and recognizes equipment limitations
• Communicates findings with staff radiologists and other healthcare professionals
• Performs other duties as assigned within the scope of the MIT technologist
• Travel:
  This position requires 25% travel; a valid driver’s license is required