The Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound) position is located within Diagnostic Imaging Service at Audie L. Murphy VAMC in San Antonio, Texas.
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. 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. 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). Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Grade Determinations: Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound) GS-09 Experience. At least 1 year of 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 specialized experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of diagnostic ultrasonography services. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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 diagnostic ultrasonography. *2. Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements. 3. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. 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. Preferred Experience: -2 Years ultrasound scanning experience 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-09. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Specialty-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). Duties may include but are not limited to: -Advises radiologists or referring physicians of significant abnormalities that would require their immediate attention and visualization while the patient is undergoing examination. -Performs ultrasound examinations of the abdomen, neck, chest and extremities, retroperitoneal space for acquiring high quality examinations that assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patient medical disorders. -Participates in the training of physicians, students and radiology technicians so that these individuals may acquire an understanding of the principles of ultrasound and how it relates to other diagnostic exams. -Performs routine clerical procedures for maintaining a curate ultrasound records. This requires maintaining a diagnostic log, patient schedule log, and procedure log, editing and when appropriate registering patients in the Radiology Information System (RIS). -Makes multiple simultaneous settings and adjustments in operation of equipment to ensure accurate results. On the basis of radiologic findings, determines necessary ultrasonic procedures to yield definitive diagnostic findings. -Reviews new developments in the field and recommends to supervisor those that would improve the operation of the section. -Maintains adequate supplies so that examinations are not delayed due to the lack of necessary equipment and supplies. -Assists the radiologist in the performance of cyst punctures, aspirations, biopsies, and other diagnostic treatments using ultrasound techniques. This requires the use of surgical sterile techniques, syringes, needles, contrast, etc. This also requires the reprocessing of reusable medical equipment (RME) according to policies and standard operating procedures. -Develops and maintains patient prep procedures so that patients and wards understand the proper preparations for ultrasound examinations to minimize procedure delays. These preps are disseminated either by written preparation information or by telephone conversation. -Explains the procedure to the patient so that an understanding of the purpose of the study as well as any requirements of the patients are thoroughly understood. This is done so that an adequate ultrasound study may be ordered to obtain diagnostic examinations for treatment and diagnosis of the disorders. -Gathers related information such as patient clinical history, etc., so that correlation of examinations to other studies can be made by the radiologist in diagnosis and recommendation of treatment for their medical disorders. -Operates multi-image camera for ultrasound examinations so that future ultrasound examinations may be compared. -Assists quality assurance technologists in performing quality assurance testing on the ultrasound unit using test tools, test check lists, etc. for assuring peak performance of the ultrasound equipment. Maintains records of the quality assurance testing so that easy reference is available should servicing be necessary. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 4:00p.m. to Midnight, including some weekends and holidays, rotating call 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 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized