This position is located in the Diagnostics & Therapeutics (D&T) Service Line at the Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany, New York. This position functions as a Medical Instrument Technologist for the Diagnostic Imaging department. The Medical instrument technician will complete other imaging sub-specialties as necessary to include diagnostic medical sonography.
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. 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: 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). Grade Determinations: GS 8 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: 1. 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. 2. Ability to perform vascular studies such as vertebral, renal artery, aortic aneurysm, portal-systemic shunts, etc. 3. Ability to assist radiologists with biopsy procedures determining the location, depth, and required needle angle for the lesion to be sampled. 4. Ability to assist in surgical procedures and fluid aspirations.. Assignment. This represents 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 perform independent portable ultrasound examinations in the intensive care units, emergency room, surgery, and throughout the Medical Center when required. They also work independently on evenings, nights, and weekend tours of duty as scheduled and/or when on call Qualifications: Preferred Experience: Ultrasound Technologist experience, ARDMS certified 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 8. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
DUTIES: Receives and interprets requests for all ultrasound procedures. Incumbent performs ultrasound studies, records and processes images for interpretation by the staff radiologist. The spectrum of exams performed include abdomen for tumor, cysts, abscesses, hematomas, inflammatory processes such as pancreatitis or acute cholecystitis, retroperitoneum, aorta, kidneys, adrenals and nodes. Pelvic exams including trans-vaginal for uterus and ovaries are performed. Knows and understands the principles of ultrasound and the highly specialized equipment to approve the acceptability or rejectability of each scan. This includes: preparation and supplies, scanning motions, TCG (Time Compensated Gain), zoom or expansion, hard copy, picture-oriented examination, organ-oriented examination and initial interpretation of the examination. Interpreting the examination requires identifying normal and pathologic appearances. Controls technical factors on ultrasound unit, which will affect time, gain, amplitude, velocity, frequency, attenuation, absorption, reflection, scattering, refraction and diffraction. Receives and identifies patients, explains methods of procedures, assists movement of patients to and from wheelchairs, carts and tables, positions the patient and performs examinations requested. Coordinates examination scheduling. Evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures and rearranges priorities to accommodate the patients. Maintains records of patients treated, exams performed, scans taken, etc. Receives and interprets requests or instructions for procedures from radiologist or medical officers. Carries out the requests made by physicians, adjusting and utilizing appropriate CPT codes for exams. Performs portable sonographic exams, when necessary or as requested, with mobile units in the ED, ICU, OR or at bedside. Employee receives a variety of difficult examinations including care of trauma cases, critically ill patients, isolation patients and other emotionally and physically impaired individuals. Secures the confidence and cooperation of patients during procedures. Explains procedures, positions patients for desired results, and cushions and shields patients as appropriate. Varies procedures or positions to compensate for and adjust to patients' medical conditions. Independently explains procedures and positions patients for very difficult procedures. Administers contrast materials orally, rectally, and/or intravenously whenever applicable under supervision. Employee prepares examination and procedure rooms with sterile supplies, local anesthetics and any supplies required for given exams. He/She is knowledgeable and proficient in sterile techniques, isolation and reverse isolation procedures. Prepares contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist for the purpose of performing exams requiring injectable solutions (in the case of injected media, a patient consent form must be obtained, when indicated). Special procedures with ultrasound imaging support may require the use of needles, syringes, ionic and non-ionic contrast, barium, enema bags and gastrografin. The sonographer must know the effects and adverse reactions associated with these agents. Improper use or administration of the contrast materials run the risk of patient mortality, therefore, it is essential that a thorough understanding of usage be possessed by those who prepare it. Must continuously monitor the patient's condition. Adverse reactions on the part of the patient require immediate attention so that harm does not come to the patient. Employee must be knowledgeable in the procedures for handling adverse reactions including CPR certification, and preparing incident reports in CPRS. Interviews patient obtaining pertinent medical history and precise medication usage as it pertains to the cardiac system. Explains to competent patients the rationale of procedures and instructions on how to complete the procedure. Observes and complies with National Safety Goals involving accuracy of patient identification, effective communication among caregivers, improving safety in using medications, infection control, among others. Cleans and sterilizes equipment, transducer probes, and area after use. Performs routine maintenance and recognizes and reports malfunctioning equipment to ensure repair. Maintains supplies and prepare for the day's schedule with all necessary materials. Performs picture archival duties. The technologist captures scan images, applies an algorithm, configures the image, and verifies patient information before transmitting them to the picture archive system. This procedure requires the technologist to have a general knowledge of computer operations. Technologist is expected to troubleshoot equipment for error or malfunction. Participates in training affiliated diagnostic ultrasound tech students and new employees Work Schedule: 12:00pm-8:00pm, Monday- Friday Functional Statement #: