Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography)

Summary

This position is located in the Medicine Service/Cardiology Section at the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans Hospital, VA Loma Linda Healthcare System (VALLHCS). This position serves as the Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) and identifies and record anomalies indicative of disease, injury, or other medically significant conditions using ultrasound imaging and simultaneous Doppler techniques.

This position is under general supervision of the Chief, Cardiology Section.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

05/20/2024 to 05/28/2024

• Salary

$100,097 - $130,125 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 9

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Loma Linda, CA 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not 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

CBSX-12420271-24-CLB

• Control number

791979200

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This job is open to

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This announcement is open to Current permanent VA Loma Linda Healthcare Employees ONLY.

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Duties

Medical Technologist: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Technologist-Career-Flyer.pdf

Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf

The Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) has advanced knowledge of complex and non-standard treatment and exam procedures and techniques. The cardiac sonographer must use independent judgment in applying knowledge of clinical cardiology and ultrasound, and Doppler principles.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Uses problem-solving skills to optimize the evaluation and adjust the exam to ensure that it is comprehensive and accurate. The sonographer records and does preliminary interpretation of the exam and presents information and or possible diagnosis to the interpreting physician. Failure to integrate such data may lead to inaccurate exam and erroneous clinical interpretation.

• Performs real-time 3D, 2D, M-Mode, continuous and pulse wave, color, and tissue Doppler exams. Performs transthoracic examinations and stress echocardiograms with and without pharmaceuticals.

• Receives patients, explains the procedure, and performs the appropriate complete exam. The incumbent independently sets, calibrates, and operates the ultrasound equipment.

• Performs routine maintenance on all Echo Lab equipment at intervals recommended by the manufacturer. Incumbent shares responsibility for coordinating emergency and preventive maintenance of the lab equipment. They maintain cleanliness of the work environment between studies and at the end of the workday.

• Provides training for Cardiology Fellows in performing studies and preliminary interpretation of echo exams. Incumbent teaches echo-Doppler principles and procedures, theory of operations and theory of interpretation of results to trainee echocardiographic technicians, nursing students, nurses, medical students, residents and fellows (especially cardiology fellows).

• Responds to emergency requests for echo-Doppler studies within 30 minutes during normal working hours. This includes requests from any hospital ward to bring the echo machine to the patient's bedside if needed for the performance of an echo-Doppler examination. In doubtful cases the technician will check the appropriateness of such emergency requests with a cardiology fellow or cardiology attending.

• Maintains skills in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and actively assists in CPR should the need arise.

• Assists the physicians involved in performing transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) examinations. The incumbent may also assist with monitoring the patient during a TEE study by monitoring patient's blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm, and O2 saturation. The technician also performs suctioning of the patient if necessary.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM.

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized.

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized.

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year).Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA.

Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).

Telework: Not Authorized.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

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.

• 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.

• 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. 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. Examples of experience equivalent to the GS-08 grade level include but are not limited to the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs):

• 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.

• Knowledge of normal echocardiographic findings and deviations produced by a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 (*):

• 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 desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable.

• Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G27. Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) Qualification Standards.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09.

Physical Requirements: Must be able to stand or sit for long periods of time. The technologist must be able to help lift and move patients to difficult positions at the bedside, inpatient or near the outpatient exam tables. They must occasionally wear a protective lead apron weighing approximately 5-10 pounds to minimize radiation exposure during cardiovascular and surgical fluoroscopic procedures, as needed. This additional weight not only causes a physical weight strain but adds significant head load to the person because of its insulated properties. Radiation exposure is monitored via dosimeters, as needed.

Education

There is no educational substitute for this grade.

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

Learn more about federal benefits.

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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.