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This Announcement will remain open until filled. The next cutoff for consideration is 12/21/2021. Additional Applications will be referred as needed. The Medical Instrument Tech (Echocardiography) provides cardiovascular ultrasound imaging, performing ultrasound examinations of the heart, pulmonary artery, inferior vena cava, ascending aorta and aortic arch. 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: Must be proficient in written and spoken English Preferred Experience: Experience performing diagnostic doppler, 2D, and M-Mode Echocardiograms. Coordinates scheduling of patients, including transportation to and from Echo lab. Ability to identify emergent findings and for notification of the appropriate Provider or cardiologist. Experience maintaining equipment, making adjustments and calibration as needed. Grade Determinations: SPECIALTY - Echocardiography Technicians operate diagnostic equipment to graphically record the position and motion of the heart 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. Registration is offered 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). Creditable Experience - Knowledge of Current Medical Instrument Technician Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics associated with current Medical Instrument Technician practice appropriate to the identified specialty area. Specialized developmental experience obtained under supervision of appropriately certified individuals may be credited. GS-9 Grade Requirements - To qualify for the GS-9 level, you must have 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. NOTE - This would be experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of echocardiography services. For Reference: GS-8 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. For Reference: GS-8 KSA's - Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities - (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-9 KSA's - You must meet the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (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. *Note: Please ensure how you meet these KSAs is clearly described in your resume; we may not make assumptions regarding your experience. Certifications/Registrations: The following certifications and registrations are desired but are not required at the GS-9 level. Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) Registration by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) Certification Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II, Appendix G27, Dated 7/7/2012 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-9 Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 lbs Light carrying, under 15 lbs Straight pulling, Pulling hand over hand, Pushing, Kneeling (1 hour) Reaching above shoulder Use of fingers Both hands required Walking, Standing (3 hours) Repeated bending (2 hours) Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other Depth perception Ability to distinguish basic colors Ability to distinguish shades of colors Hearing (aid permitted) ["The Echocardiography Technician: Performs diagnostic Doppler, 2D, and M-Mode Echocardiograms on out-patients, surgery and recovery patients. Recognizes intra-cardiac structures based on cross sectional anatomic images and motion characteristics during the cardiac cycle, both in normal and in disease states and to do so from a variety of different planes and angles for optimal image quality. Recognizes normal echocardiographic findings and deviations produced by a wide variety of diseases affecting the cardiovascular system. Retains observation skills to instantaneously recognize them on the Real-Time 2-dimensional images and Doppler. Performs complex procedures as: (a) cardiac studies of the four chambers of the heart and valves, utilizing M-mode and sector scanning (real-time) techniques, to detect stenotic and incompetent valves, chamber enlargement, chamber function, and pericardial effusion, etc: (b) using Doppler imaging system, to derive pressure gradients across obstructed valves, post-operative evaluation of artificial valves, semi-quantitating valvular regurgitation, and determining the extent of narrowing degenerative aortic valves, intra-cardiac shunts, estimates of cardiac output and provide preliminary interpretation for the physician. Instantaneously differentiates normal echocardiographic findings from those produced by numerous pathologic states, or by technical or instrument related artifacts and appropriately correct for artifacts of further evaluate the findings depending on the situation. Recognizes need for intravenous contrast/Definity to better delineate endocardium. Utilizes physics, mathematics, and electrical circuitry, as they apply to echocardiographic imaging systems and techniques, if necessary, specifically: M-mode, 2-D phased-array, continuous wave Doppler, color flow Doppler techniques, and tissue velocity imaging. Operates the actual instrumentation and trouble shoot problems. Understand the physical causes of artifacts and poor image quality and correct for them Evaluates quantitative function and structure of the different chambers and valves of the different chambers and valves of the heart, utilizing the various formulae involved. Such calculations are used in determining values such as: pressure gradients across stenotic valves, areas of valvular openings, the amount of regurgitation in natural as well as artificial valves, ejection fractions, size of the four chambers of the heart and thickness of the heart muscle itself. Transfers digital images correctly to cardiologist reading workstations. Coordinates scheduling of patients, including transportation to and from Echo lab. Brings to the attention of the cardiologist any emergent findings and for notification of the patient's physician of important abnormal and life-threatening findings, which may affect management of patient care. Coordinates and attends formal reading sessions with cardiologists, at which time any unusual findings observed during test and/or any technical difficulties experienced by sonographer can be discussed. Prior to this, the sonographer is responsible for the preliminary interpretation of the test, including all information and conclusion, i.e. measurements for M-Mode, Doppler tracings calculation valve areas. These initial interpretations are added to and finalized by the appropriate cardiologist. Attending reading sessions enables sonographer to continually improve diagnostic skills. Responds to emergency requests involving performance of test in echo lab or at bedside when impossible to transport patient. Is responsible for moving equipment and performing test under difficult conditions encountered at bedside i.e. physically demanding positions, and lack of space. Is responsible for demonstration and instruction in obtaining echocardiograms, including machine maintenance. Maintains equipment, making adjustments and calibrations as needed. Coordinates any necessary emergency repairs as well preventative maintenance with either the responsible company or in-house Biomedical Engineers. Maintains an inventory of patient, equipment and clerical supplies for the laboratory, ordering supplies as needed to maintain a smooth operation with little or no loss of work time. Researches new equipment when possible purchase of replacement and/or additional equipment is needed. Stays abreast of ever-changing and evolving technologies. Attends in-service and conferences, maintaining mandatory C.E.s for echo registry. Participates in ongoing research studies involving cardiac ultrasound. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8 AM -4:30 PM\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: PD000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nPCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]