Med Inst Tech (Echocardio

Summary

This position is located at the Edward Hines, Jr VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois 60041 (578) - a Level 1a Complexity and is organizationally aligned under the Medicine Service Line (MSL). Under the direction of the Supervisory Echocardiography Technician incumbent exercises Team Leader responsibility for a staff of non-supervisory Medical Instrument Technicians (ECHO).

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

03/14/2024 to 03/25/2024

• Salary

$75,971 - $98,762 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 9

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Hines, IL 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -

• Work schedule

Full-time -

• Service

Competitive

• Promotion potential

None

• Job family (Series)

0649 Medical Instrument Technician

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Not Required

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

HN-12348074-24-AG

• Control number

781722300

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This job is open to

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

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Duties

On a regular and recurring basis, lead duties in this position consist of the following:

• Distributes and balances the workload among employees in accordance with established workflow or job specialization, assure timely accomplishment of the assigned workload, and assure that each employee has enough work to keep busy;

• Keeps in touch with the status and progress of work, and makes day- to- day adjustments in accordance with established priorities, obtaining assistance from the supervisor on problems that may arise.

• Estimates and reports on expected time of completion of work, and maintain records of work accomplishments and time expended and prepare production reports as requested;

• Instructs employees in specific tasks and job techniques and make available written or recorded instructions, reference materials and supplies;

• Gives on the job training to new employees in accordance with established procedures and practices;

• Maintains a current knowledge and answers questions of other employees on procedures, policies, directives, etc. and obtains needed information or decisions from supervisor on problems that come up;

• Checks on work in progress or spot checks work not requiring review and reviews completed work to see that supervisor's instruction on work sequence, procedures, methods and deadlines have been met;

• Amends or rejects work not meeting established standards, refer to supervisor questions or matters not covered by standards and problems in meeting performance standards;

• Monitors working conditions such as seating, ventilation, lighting, safety, etc.;

• Informs employees of available services and employee activities;

• Resolves simple, informal complaints of employees and refer others to supervisor;

• Reports to supervisor on performance, progress and training needs of employees, and on behavior problems; and

• Provides information to supervisor as requested concerning promotions, reassignment, recognition of outstanding performance and personnel needs. Participates and/or leads quality assessment for the section.

• Also, completes diagnostic echo studies ordered by and/or in collaboration with the physicians or Cardiology Fellow with minimal or no direct supervision; coordinates appointments and workload according to appropriateness of patients and staffing. The incumbent will perform an approximate average of 1500 to 1800 echocardiographic studies per year, including portable/bedside, routine, stat, stress and dobutamine echo exams.

• Explains routine and non-routine procedures to veteran patients and other authorized individuals to ally fear of the process.

• Observes patient's condition making notation of pertinent information, vital signs and other clinical information in accordance with established practices and in response to physician demand or change in patient's condition.-Records testing information and all procedures performed as well as diagnostic/procedure codes in secured computerized database. Troubleshoots data and/or scheduling issues and resolves as appropriate.

• Provides instruction in diagnostic echo-doppler procedures and/or assists in the echocardiographic imaging techniques with specified Cardiology Fellows or Cardiology Attendings and verifies accuracy of data recorded.

• Evaluates and assesses new equipment or new techniques, occasionally providing written findings to leadership or other echo lab attendings.

• Performs proper routine maintenance of equipment according to established procedures. Cleans, calibrates and maintains technical components and related office equipment.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: (DAYS) M-F 8:00am -4:30pm, with Occasional Saturday coverage

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # 578-0010-F

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.

• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.

• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.

• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

• You may be required to serve a probationary period.

• Subject to background/security investigation.

• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.

• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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:

• 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. See the grade requirements part of this standard for information regarding educational substitutions

• 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.

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:

GS 9 (LEAD)In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-8 full performance level, positions at this grade may be lead, supervisory, or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and assignments

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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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.

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.

Lead Echocardiography Technician. In certain programs, either because of their size and scope or because of a lack of specific supervisory positions, lead positions may be appropriate.

Preferred Experience: previous leadership, echo experience, certification and BLS.

References: VHA Handbook 5005 Appendix G27 Appendix D

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS9.

Physical Requirements: Scanning can be physically demanding even while sitting, in addition to the movement around the machine for portable studies. There may be some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of light items.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

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

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

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

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.