Medical Instrument Technician- Echocardiography

Summary

This individual will work in the Cardiac Non‑Invasive Laboratory under the supervision of Staff Cardiologists at the Fredericksburg HCC. The incumbent is responsible for performing echocardiograms and stress echocardiograms.

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.

• 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:
  Not required, but strongly desirable at GS‑6 or above as evidence of essential knowledge, skills, and abilities
• English Language Proficiency:
  Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 – Part II – section D – paragraph 5a
• Grandfathering Provision:
  May qualify based on coverage 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. Positions at this grade may be lead, supervisory, or non‑supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and assignments
• Experience:
  
  At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level that is directly related to the duties of the position and must fully meet the KSAs at that level
• Technical KSAs:
  Demonstrated Knowledge – Skills – and Abilities KSAs 1‑3 are required for all positions at this level; KSAs 4 and 5 may apply to the specific assignment
• Knowledge and
  
  Skills:
  
  Understanding of complex examination and treatment procedures, ability to provide training and supervision, evaluate and initiate performance improvement projects, write policies, procedures, and protocols pertaining to echocardiography, knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements, effective communication with employees at varying grade levels, ability to manage and supervise employees, and to provide staff development and training
• 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
• Assignments:
  For duties above the full performance level, higher‑level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity, and variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• Preferred Experience:
  
  Minimum of 5 years of experience
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Standards/
• Physical Requirements:
  
  Must have the physical ability to perform job‑related duties requiring lifting, standing, bending, transferring, stooping, stretching, walking, pushing, or pulling without assistance from another patient‑care provider or significant other
• A health examination must be successfully completed prior to this assignment and periodically thereafter as required by the Employee Health Clinic policy
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑9

• Perform a complete echocardiogram test, obtaining and recording real‑time two‑dimensional ultrasound images, m‑mode, pulsed and continuous wave, and color Doppler
• Make specific measurements and calculations that will be included in the echocardiogram test
• Operate a diagnostic ultrasound machine to obtain quality images that are digitally recorded for cardiologist review
• Prepare preliminary diagnostic reports for each echocardiogram for review by the cardiologist
• Alert physicians to findings that may require prompt intervention before an official interpretation can be rendered (e.g., severe pericardial effusion with tamponade, severe valvular disease)
• Organize daily workload in the echocardiography lab, order supplies, and maintain equipment
• Be flexible to perform stat/emergent echocardiograms
• Tro…