Summary

The Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) is a non-supervisory - above full performance level position that requires specialized advanced knowledge and ability to handle complex assignments. The incumbent serves within the cardiology section of the Orlando VA Medical Center (OAVHCS) located in Viera - FL.

Qualifications

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:

• Citizenship
• Citizenship of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g)
• Education
• There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation
• Licensure or 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
• English Language Proficiency
• Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a
• 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: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above - the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates
• Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) - GS-9 Experience
• At least 1 year experience comparable to the next lower grade level GS-8 - 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 experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of echocardiography services
• (GS-8 KSAs include: 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
• Knowledge of normal echocardiographic findings and deviations produced by a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases
• 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
• Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations (including noninvasive) transthoracic - Bubble studies and contrast echocardiography - (invasive) stress echocardiography - and transesophageal echocardiography
• 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.) In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): 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 Echocardiography
• *Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels
• *Ability to manage and supervise employees
• *Ability to provide - or provide for - staff development and training
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements
• Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
• May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - pulling - and pushing
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
• Ability to drive/operate government vehicle.

Duties

• Duties and responsibilities include - but are not limited to: Echocardiograms: The work involves highly complex echocardiographic imaging studies - recording for specific measurement - i.e. - cardiac chamber size - wall thickness and wall motion - derive calculations of ejection fractions - cardiac output - and abnormalities of left ventricular segmental wall motions
• Incumbent uses independent judgement during the sonographic exam to accurately differentiate between normal and pathologic findings
• Incumbent analyses sonogram and synthesizes sonographic examination and medical history and communicates finding(s) with the cardiologist
• 3D: The 3D derived left ventricular function and chamber quantification
• Adequately performs full volume and LV quantifications
• Doppler Studies: The complex study involves using the pulse-wave (PW) and continuous-wave (CW) modes by taking a sample volume at a specific location to display blood flow information for that site - obtain maximum velocity by CW - doppler tracing - recording information (doppler signals) for obstructive etiologies and regurgitation of valves as well as relaxation of the ventricles and digitization
• Color Flow Studies: This shows the blood flow in color and can show regurgitation of the heart valves
• Incumbent must adjust frequently to patient and equipment interfaces - etc. - to individualize the examination and obtain appropriate information and calculation of jets and digitization
• Trans Esophageal Echocardiograms: Incumbent has the responsibility of setting up ultrasound equipment prior to the procedure being done - ensuring that the ultrasound machine and TEE probe is unlocked - connected - and ready for use
• Incumbent responsible to note serial number of TEE probe
• Incumbent will have the task of operating and adjusting the ultrasound machine so that the best quality views can be visualized and recorded
• Bubble Studies: Incumbent is responsible for setting up syringes to be used and for positioning patient for procedure
• Incumbent will have the responsibility of operating the ultrasound machine so that the best quality views are visualized and recorded
• Ultrasound Opacification Agents: Incumbent is responsible for determining the need for use of ventricular opacification agents
• Incumbent is also responsible to know the risk and benefits of its use and proper handling of the opacification agent - including storage and injections - and for setting up syringes to be used and for positioning patient for procedure
• Incumbent will have the responsibility of operating the ultrasound machine so that best quality views are visualized and recorded
• Stress Echocardiogram: Incumbent is responsible for obtaining a baseline - full resting echocardiogram and for hooking patient up for stress procedure
• Incumbent assists the physician with monitoring the patient during the walking phase of the procedure for obtaining the ultrasound views during and after the stress
• Incumbent also performs Dobutamine Stress Echocardiograms for the department and obtains ultrasound images before - during - and after stress test
• Additional functions include: Incumbent assists the cardiologist with Cardiology Clinic - as well as outpatient clinic consultations
• Incumbent assists in maintaining records on the VHA computers
• Incumbent responds to emergency situations on an as needed basis
• S/he can work very rapidly and accurately - adjust with established or predetermined practices in response to the physician's demand or changes in the patient's condition
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 7:30am - 4:00pm 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) Functional Statement #: 80164F Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional