Summary

The incumbent functions as a Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (Echocardiographer) in the Cardiology Section of Medical Service at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center. The cardiac sonographer is responsible for the performance of a full range of Transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE) and Transesophageal echocardiograms (TEE) utilizing the cardiac ultrasound equipment. The cardiac sonographer uses the cardiac ultrasound machine to produce real-time ultrasound images of the heart and associated structures.

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 and 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
• English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 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: Medical Instrument Technician GS-09 Experience: At least 1 year 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 experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of echocardiography services
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: 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 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 30 desirable
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable
• References: VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G27 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-06 to GS-09
• Physical Requirements: The majority of the work performed is in the Echocardiography laboratory
• however bedside echocardiograms are needed in various care units within the VAMC
• The cardiac sonographers work may require long periods of scanning while sitting or standing - bending over and pushing the cardiac ultrasound machine to the bedside of inpatients that cannot be transported to the Echocardiogram Lab
• The sonographer may be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases and may need to respond appropriately to an acute change in the patient's condition
• The sonographer must have the ability to perform in high stress situations including but not limited to medical emergencies.

Duties

• Duties include but are not limited to: Use independent judgment in applying knowledge of clinical cardiology and ultrasound - and Doppler principles
• Use problem-solving skills to optimize the evaluation and adjust the exam to ensure that it is comprehensive and accurate
• Records and interprets the result of the exam and presents information and or possible diagnosis to interpreting physician
• Failure to integrate such data may lead to inaccurate exam and erroneous clinical interpretation
• 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 (TEE)
• Performs 2D - M-Mode - continuous and pulse wave Doppler and color flow exam
• Performs transthoracic - and assists with transesophageal examinations
• Performs stress echocardiograms with and without pharmaceuticals and assists physician with results of the exam
• 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
• Prepare preliminary reports/calculations based on examinations to include blood flow - muscle size - and values structures - as recorded in the echocardiograms for physicians to provide diagnostic interpretation of all images and reported data
• Be proactive in the management of their assigned clinics - this could include such actions as properly rooming patients - ensuring patients released from the clinic
• Ensures all required documents/reports are completed prior to rooming a new patient
• Notify cardiologist if there are any critical findings before the patients leave the examination room
• Independently determine when to utilize the IV echo contrast when there is a technically difficult study or to rule out LV thrombus
• Independently able to determine the use of a bubble study on patients with TIA - stroke - or interatrial septal aneurysm
• Receives patients - explains procedure and performs exam
• Assists Cardiology Fellows in performing and interpreting echo exams
• Independently setting - calibrating and operating of machinery
• Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels
• Ability to provide - or provide for - staff development and training to include echo tech students - cardiology fellows and others as determined by the Chief of Cardiology
• Support the Cardiology department by preparing required documents for such task as patient transfers - second options - release of information - obtaining medical reports/CDs as needed
• Assist Cardiology Service with quality improvement or performance improvement projects - as determined by the Chief of Cardiology
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0700-1530 or 0800-1630 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 91460-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required