Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Qualifications

*** This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until March 17, 2025. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be January 29, 2025. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled*** 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
• 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
• Grade Determinations: 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 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 color flow 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
• AND GS-9 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): KSAs 1, 2, and 3 are appropriate for all positions at this level
• KSAs 4 and 5 are to be used in accordance with their appropriateness for the specific assignment
• 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 Echocardiography
• *2
• Knowledge of 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
• Preferred Experience: 1 year of Cardiac Sonographer experience
• GS-9 - 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
• Reference: VA HANDBOOK 5005/54 Transmittal Sheet Formally VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G27
• For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Able to meet the physical demands of the position
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• While performing duties of this job the Echocardiography Technician is frequently required to stand, walk, and bend and reach
• Must be able to lift and/or move over 50 pounds
• They must have good manual dexterity and keyboarding skills
• Must be able to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word
• Must be able to view and read information on computer screens.

Duties

• The Echocardiography Technician is assigned to Cardiology Section & has knowledge of thoracic anatomy & physiology
• Performs assigned duties of significant scope, complexity, & variety
• Performs diagnostic quality images & Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode, 2-D, 3-D, pulsed & continuous wave Doppler spectral display, & color flow Doppler imaging using digital technology
• Performs transesophageal echocardiograms, dobutamine & exercise stress, & 3-D echocardiograms
• Performs insertion of intra-venous catheters utilizing ultrasound on all patients
• Prepares & attaches patient to stress test equipment & performs stress echocardiograms using digital acquisition & pharmaceutical agent with & without LV cavity opacification agent
• Performs any new scanning techniques that are developed by the manufacturers of the ultrasound machines after a training program is completed Adapts transducer positioning, instrument controls & examination techniques to the individual patient & to illuminate the problem being evaluated
• Monitors patient's condition during procedures
• Triages inpatient procedure requests daily
• Accurately documents information in the medical record & any other clinical or administrative applications
• Technically knowledgeable in the operation, calibration, & maintenance of the specialized equipment in the echo lab
• Completes encounters on all echo's performed, using the correct CPT codes, diagnosis
• Assists in restocking of supplies/linens in procedure rooms as needed
• Participates in Quality Management Customer Service
• Participates in facility conferences, task forces & committees as assigned
• Communicates effectively & professionally with employees at varying grade levels, patients & their families, & customers from outside facilities
• Precepts new staff & cardiology trainees in their development of echocardiography imaging skills
• Serves as a consultant to other health care professionals related to echo procedures
• Assists the scheduling clerk in determining appropriateness of consults, triage & priority
• Follows hospital policy & Reusable Medical Equipment SOP on the set up, use, reprocessing & maintenance of all equipment & supplies per manufacturer instructions for use
• Completes initial RME competency during orientation & then annual competency validation
• Performs complex procedures such as cardiac studies of the 4 chambers of the heart & valves using sector scanning techniques to detect stenotic & incompetent valves, chamber enlargement, & pericardia! effusion, thrombus, & pressure gradients across obstructed valves
• Independently performs 2D transthoracic examinations & makes decisions for saline/contrast injection studies & LV cavity opacification agent use
• Coordinates the echo lab function arranging for TEE, stress echo, & Dobutamine stress tests for outpatient & inpatient studies, coordinating with providers
• Receives patients, explains procedure, assists patient in preparation for the procedure with clothing, position, transfer, performs exam
• Completes check-in/out on each patient in CP User & CPRS & enters encounter codes for report & event capture
• Assists staff cardiologist/attending MD with obtaining 3D transesophageal echocardiography & images for evaluation of patients with complicated valvular & structural heart disease using digital acquisition
• Performs strain imaging in echocardiography as needed & indicated
• Works with echo lab director & manager to develop protocols for standardization of imaging views during echocardiographic procedures
• Orders & maintains supplies such as contrast agents, IV supplies, linens, & ancillary supplies
• Develops & implements policies, procedures, & protocols for echocardiographic imaging under the guidance of cardiology attending physicians & the nurse manager
• Serves as the Education coordinator & maintains records of training for echo, involved in the development & maintenance of competency & education records for the echo lab staff
• Assesses, identifies, & provides training to meet the needs of echo lab staff
• Works with echo lab director & nurse manager to implement & maintain a Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement program, participates in auditing staff
• Has knowledge of more complex examination & treatment procedures & techniques to provide training & supervision in these procedures
• Remains abreast of new developments in the echo field, arranges for in service, evaluation & demonstration of new technology & equipment
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00am- 3:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact: michael.campbell6@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 54714-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required