Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography)

Summary

Primary assignment will include 5 days per week at the Temple location (Travel to Austin may be required.). The echo technician will have knowledge and experience to provide all aspects of echocardiographic services. He or she will independently perform routine and complex transthoracic echocardiograms, stress echocardiograms, and contrast echocardiograms. The technician will assist physicians with transesophageal echocardiogram and other procedures requiring echocardiography.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

06/14/2024 to 06/25/2024

• Salary

$59,966 - $77,955 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 9

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Temple, TX 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Occasional travel - Travel to Austin may be required.

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

None

• Job family (Series)

0649 Medical Instrument Technician

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CAZM-12444691-24-JV

• Control number

795935400

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This job is open to

• The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

This is an external job announcement. Current permanent facility employees, current permanent VA employees, and current permanent Federal employees must apply under internal announcement CAZM-12444692-24-JV

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Duties

This position represents duties and responsibilities beyond the full performance level.

Echocardiography technicians at this level identify and record routine and complex anomalies indicative of disease, injury, or other medically-significant conditions through ultrasound imaging and recordings of Doppler. They incorporate patient symptoms and conditions to develop a comprehensive diagnostic examination, consisting of two-dimensional, doppler, and M-mode ultrasound. They change studies 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 obtain measurements of cardiac structures and doppler flow signals and calculate parameters such as ejection fraction, valve area, left atrial volume index, cardiac output, diastolic filling parameters, RVSP, and other variables on a comprehensive basis.

Work Schedule: M-F Rotating shift 0700-1500, 0730-1600 or 0800-1630

Compressed/Flexible:Not Available

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 50328-F

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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.

• 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

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.

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 (Echocardiography) 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:

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.

Preferred Experience:

• Ability to perform good quality transthoracic echocardiograms using 2D, M-mode, PW doppler, CW doppler and color doppler imaging.

• Ability to perform transthoracic echocardiograms from multiple windows, including parasternal, apical, subcostal, and suprasternal windows.

• Ability to recognize abnormal cardiovascular findings and adapt transducer position, instrument controls, and examination techniques to the individual patient and indication.

• Ability to perform echocardiographic bubble studies, pharmacologic contrast studies, exercise and dobutamine stress echocardiography, and transesophageal echocardiography.

• Previous exposure to 3D echocardiography and strain and strain-rate imaging is desirable.

References: VA Handbook 5005/15 Part II Appendix G27 dated March 17, 2006.

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

Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 45 pounds.

Education

Note: There is no educational substitution at the GS-9.

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.