Medical Instrument Technician; Diagnostic Ultrasound

Summary

The Diagnostic Ultrasound Technician is regarded as the expert source for ultrasound imaging and assists the interpreting radiologist to provide a final interpretation

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

• 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
• 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
• 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)
• 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-8:
  Certification
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable
• Experience
• At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled
• This would be experience which provided the overall knowledge - skills - and abilities to conduct diagnostic ultrasound examinations in complex and unusual cases
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities:
  Ability to perform diagnostic ultrasound examination on multiple areas of the body - including - but not limited to - the abdomen - pelvis - transvaginal - chest - small parts - thyroid - breast - and scrotum
• Ability to perform vascular studies such as vertebral - renal artery - aortic aneurysm - portal-systemic shunts - etc
• Ability to assist radiologists with biopsy procedures determining the location - depth - and required needle angle for the lesion to be sampled
• Ability to assist in surgical procedures and fluid aspirations
• Preferred Experience:
  
  Experience scanning abdomen - limited vascular - carotid studies - and small parts
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Standards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8.
  
  Physical Requirements:
  
  moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds) - pushing (2 hours) - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands required - walking and standing (4 hours) - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously - near vision correctable - ability to distinguish basic colors - hearing (aid may be permitted) - exposure to electrical energy - exposure to overuse of arms and shoulders - working closely with others - working alone.

• Duties will vary based on grade
• At the GS-8 full performance level of this assignment - the incumbent will be competent in the production - use - recognition - and analysis of ultrasound images and patterns used for patient diagnosis and treatment
• Duties will include:
  Performs a wide range of Diagnostic Abdominal Ultrasound examinations to include but not limit to the: liver - gallbladder - pancreas - appendix - spleen - kidney's - bladder - aorta - portal vein - Doppler studies of blood flow to and from the major organs - this includes imaging of the scrotum and testicles
• Performs ultrasound examinations of the female pelvis to include both transabdominal and transvaginal imaging of the vagina - uterus - ovaries - fallopian tubes - and surrounding anatomy
• Performs non-invasive Vascular Ultrasound examinations with Doppler interrogation to include but not limit to Carotids - Venous imaging of upper and lower extremities
• Knows and understands the principles of ultrasound and the highly specialized equipment well enough to essentially approve the acceptability or rejectability of each scan
• This includes:…