This position is located at the Wilmington Health Care Center, Wilmington, NC. Echocardiography technicians at this level identify and record anomalies indicative of disease, injury, or other medically significant condition from ultrasound imaging and simultaneous recordings of the Doppler. The incumbent incorporates the causes and results of a variety of symptoms and conditions into a plan of ultrasonic diagnostic examination.
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. 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. Education: There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation. Certification: Certification is not required for this occupation; however, Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are strongly desirable at GS-6 level and above. 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-08, 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 echocardiography examinations in complex and unusual cases. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to produce diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode, two-dimensional, pulsed and continuous wave Doppler spectral display, and colorflow Doppler imaging. 2. Knowledge of normal echocardiographic findings and deviations produced by a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases. 3. Ability to perform complex procedures such as cardiac studies of the four chambers of the heart and valves using sector scanning techniques to detect stenotic and incompetent valves, chamber enlargement, and pericardial effusion and cardiovascular studies deriving pressure gradients across obstructed valves, etc. 4. Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations (including noninvasive) transthoracic, Bubble studies and contrast echocardiography, (invasive) stress echocardiography, and transesophageal echocardiography. 5. Ability to adapt transducer positioning, instrument controls, and examination techniques to the individual patient being studied and the problem being evaluated including recognizing pertinent abnormalities and documenting abnormal findings. Assignment: This represents the full performance level. Echocardiography technicians at this level identify and record anomalies indicative of disease, injury, or other medically significant condition from ultrasound imaging and simultaneous recordings of the Doppler. They incorporate the causes and results of a variety of symptoms and conditions into a plan of ultrasonic diagnostic examination. They change and develop sounding techniques to accommodate such variables as limited patient mobility, variation in physical condition or dimension of the patient, presence of prosthesis or foreign objects, and ultrasonic response of different body parts. They produce diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency recordings using M-mode, two-dimensional, and Doppler ultrasound. 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-08. Physical Requirements: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently to move objects. This could include moving objects such as pieces of equipment and assistance in moving clients. Exposure to meeting with patients and relatives needs and expectations. Work with critically ill patients and may observe patients suffering.
Duties and responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to the following: Diagnostic ultrasound entails the performance of noninvasive examinations involving the application of high frequency ultrasonic waves to humans for diagnosis of disease. Such examinations may consist of the performance of non- imaging amplitude-modulated studies for determining anatomic midline position and foreign body localization, or the performance of imaging studies for visualization and determination of organ position, from structure, and physical consistency. Procedures in the discipline are considered operator (rather than equipment) oriented and require knowledge and ability to recognize organ pathology in order to determine proper equipment settings, through knowledge of crosssectional anatomy and acoustical physics; and understanding of the functioning (including underlying principles) of the equipment. Cardiac Ultrasound examinations at this level are performed independently with little to no supervision of a physician who is responsible for the use and interpretation of the procedures. Performs echocardiography studies involving analysis of the heart structure and the range of movement of component elements, such as the valves. Medical Instrument Technician (Echo) Diagnostic ultrasound technicians initially interpret and generate measurements of sonographic tracings while they are being generated. Examinations require the constant interaction between the patient and the technician and the equipment. The equipment controls must be continually adjusted to alter amplitude and the position of the probe on the patient's body must be constantly varied depending on the technician's instantaneous recognition of the image being produced. Specific diagnostic patterns must be recognized during the test to be able to perform a proper and complete examination. Judgment and decision-making are inherent in this technology in the false positive and the false negative tracings can be obtained if the technician is not thoroughly familiar with organ pathology and technique. Utilizes the approved cardiology storage system. Independently performs the full range of electrocardiograph procedures, and related examinations, such as applying ambulatory monitoring devices, scanning Holter recordings, event monitor strips and editing EKG, Holter, and treadmill reports. Utilizes MUSE cardiology storage system. Receives request and/or, consults for procedures. Receives assignment for which clear precedents exist. Receives assignments that require application of standard procedures or that have special procedures identified and explained. Understands and carries out the appropriate requests made by practitioners or seeks assistance of the supervision when an uncommon, unique or new procedure is requested. Instructs patient pre-procedure to ensure confidence and cooperation of patient during procedures. Independently explains various procedures including need for positions on table or treadmill, monitoring equipment, adverse reactions to stressing agents. Explains requirements for accurate monitoring and necessity of diary entries. Answers question by patient and or family members. Performs MI Tech work with Holter/Event Monitoring specialty. This specialty area requires experience in applying, operating and instructing in Holter and Event Monitoring equipment. Schedules patient for application and removal of monitors. The incumbent will work in cardiology Section of Medical Service in this VAMC. Additional duties may include, but are not limited to: EKGs, Exercise tolerance test system (Treadmill), Cardiology Data Storage Systems, Ambulatory Monitoring System(s) (e.g. Holter and Zio). Medical Instrument Technician (Echo). All other assigned duties. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Functional Statement #: 00000