Duties

Summary

THIS IS AN OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT
THE FIRST CUT OFF WILL BE ON OR AROUND TWO WEEKS AFTER THE OPEN DATE
ALL SUBSEQUENT CUTOFFS WILL BE DONE EVERY TWO WEEKS UNTIL VACANCIES ARE FILLED.

If selected at the GS-7 level, the salary range is $42, 591- $55,367.
If selected at the GS-8 level, the salary range is $47,168 - $61,323.
If selected at the GS-9 level, the salary range is $52,098 - $67,728.
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Responsibilities

The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT Echocardiography)is assigned to Medical Service at the McGuire VA Medical Center in Richmond, VA. As the Medical Instrument Technician (MIT Echocardiography), the incumbent is responsible for providing quality care in the coordination and performance in Medical Service. The individual will work in the Cardiac Non-Invasive Laboratory under the supervision of the technical supervisor along with the Director, Non-Invasive Lab, and under the general supervision if the Chief of the Cardiology and other staff Cardiologists. Echocardiography Technicians operate diagnostic equipment to graphically record the position and motion of the hear walls or the internal structure of the heart and neighboring tissue by the echo obtained from beams of ultrasonic waves directed through the chest wall. The incumbent may independently performs a wide range of routine and highly complex ultrasound exams that are used in the diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of patients. The modalities commonly used are M-mode, 2D Doppler and the transesophageal echocardiography.
Duties may include, but are not limited to: performs transthoracic echocardiograms in all views with color flow and some Doppler, knowledge of the set up for transesophageal echocardiograms., monitors patient's condition during procedures,Alert physicians to findings on the echocardiogram that may require prompt intervention before an official interpretation can be rendered (i.e severe pericardial effusion with tamponade), ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examination (including non-invasive) transthoric, Bubble studies and contrast echocardiography (invasive), stress echocardiography, and transesophageal echocardiography and trouble shoot diagnostic ultrasound equipment when problems occur.

Work Schedule: Various Tours of Duty to include rotating weekends and holidays
Functional Statement Title/#: Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) GS-0649-07, GS-0649-08 , GS-0649-09
Bargaining Unit Position: Yes.
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: Authorized
Relocation Expenses: Not authorized
Financial Discloser Report: Not required

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
00

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

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 abd GS-5 levels.
• 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.

In addition to the Basic Requirements listed above, candidates must also meet the following Grade Determinations:

Grade Determinations:

GS-7 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 individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to independently conduct difficult but standardized echocardiographic examinations. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Ability to scan transthoracic echocardiograms in all views with colorflow and some Doppler.
2. Ability to conduct cardiac testing to determine the severity and variety of cardiac problems, i.e., valvular dysfunction, myocardial wall kinesia, effusions, endocardial lesions, etc.
3. Knowledge of the set-up for transesophageal echocardiograms.
4. Ability to set up and adjust the ultrasound equipment to meet the conditions of the examination and the patient and to operate the equipment for more complex, but standardized procedures.

Assignment: At this level, medical instrument technicians (echocardiography) perform a range of standard, but complex, echocardiographic examinations with responsibility for calibrating all instruments prior to the procedure. They are expected to keep an accurate record of tests, daily logs, and videotapes. They maintain cidex logs.

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 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.

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 experience must demonstrate possession of the knowledge required in order to provide medical instrument technician services in the functional specialties supervised. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):

1. Knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques.
*2 Knowledge of Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and other regulatory requirements.
3 Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels.
*4. Ability to manage and supervise employees
*5 Ability to provide or provide for staff development and training.

References: QUALIFICATION STANDARDS CAN BE FOUND IN VA HANDBOOK 5005, Part II, Appendix G27D, Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography).

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-07 to GS-09.

Preferred Experience: 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. Basis Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable.

Physical Requirements: Physical requirements for this position include light lifting of 15-44 pounds, light carrying, under 15 pounds, pushing up to 2 hours a day, walking up to 6 hours a day, standing for 2 hours a day, use of both legs required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, far vision correctable to 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other eye and ability to hear. Incumbent will be exposed.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ . If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate's education and experience and recommend the grade and salary at which the candidate will be placed. For internal selectees eligible for promotion, the board will determine grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Public Trust - Background Investigation

Drug test required
Yes

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume
• VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=2850&tkey=&Action=Search . (required at time of application)

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's, documentation to support Veterans Preference or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).

Cover Letter
DD-214
Other Veterans Document
SF-15
SF-50
Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx .

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.