Summary

The Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS) delivers extensive diagnostic imaging services to outpatients and inpatients on a basis ranging from routine and complex general radiography to highly specialized imaging modalities including Ultrasound - CT - MRI - IR - Nuclear Medicine - PetCT - and Mammography. Incumbent shall be assigned to the 1A High Complexity Medical Center - Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (RMRVAMC).

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
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound) - GS-9: Experience
• At least 1 year of 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 specialized experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of diagnostic ultrasonography 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
• 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 diagnostic ultrasonography
• 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) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) 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
• Preferred Experience: Minimum 1 year experience - needs to have experience in breast ultrasound and breast procedures
• ARDMS and BLS
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work require long periods of standing - walking - and sitting
• Work involves constant bending - lifting - twisting - and carrying moderately heavy items
• Use of mobile ultrasound units requires twisting - turning - and reaching out to manipulate the ultrasound unit
• The work requires pushing wheelchair and stretcher patients
• Positioning patients who are unconscious or disabled requires considerable effort and working in awkward positions
• Lifting of totally incapacitated patients is done only with the help of appropriate devices and other employees
• English Language Proficiency
• MITs must be proficient in the spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d).

Duties

• Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Duties and skills needed to be successful in this position include - but are not limited to: Performs all ultrasound examinations ranging from the routine to the highly specialized
• Performs ultrasound examinations of the abdomen - pelvis - breast - neck - chest - soft tissue - small parts - extremities - and retroperitoneal space for the purpose of acquiring high quality examinations that assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patient medical disorders
• Assists the radiologist in the performance and guidance of aspiration - biopsies - and scout placements for the purpose of diagnostic treatment using ultrasound techniques
• Participates in the training of physicians - residents - students and other sonographers - current and new staff -so that these individuals may acquire an understanding of the principles of ultrasound - how it relates to other diagnostic exams - and the proper acquisition of ultrasound studies
• Master utilization of all available computer resources such as RIS - VISTA - CPRS - EI - IPLAN and othersoftware applications to perform all clerical procedures related to the processes of ultrasound
• Make multiple simultaneous settings and adjustments in operation of all equipment to insure accurateresults Reviews new developments in the field and recommends to supervisor those that would improve theoperation of the section
• Maintains adequate supplies and proficiencies so that examinations are not delayed due to the lack ofnecessary equipment and supplies
• The incumbent must be aware of and practice the safety policies/procedures of the medical center andparticipate in quality assurance activities and continuing education as directed
• Receives and identifies patients using two (2) patient identifiers - explains methods of procedures - assistsmovement of patients to and from wheelchair - table - positions the patient and performs examinations asrequested
• Gathers related information such as patient chart - previous related images - etc. - so that correlation ofexaminations to other studies may be made by the radiologist in diagnosis and recommendations of treatment for medical disorders
• Distributes ultrasound examinations and related information to theradiologist responsible for the interpretation of the exams
• Develops and maintains patient preparation procedures so that patients and inpatients unit personnelunderstand the proper preparations for ultrasound examinations to minimize delays of examinations
• Enters repair requests in Maximo as indicated for damaged or malfunctioning equipment
• Performs or supervises routine housekeeping duties to ensure cleanliness of exam rooms and work area toreduce cross contamination due to unsanitary conditions
• The employee's relationship with supervisors - co-workers - and others within the organization areconsistently courteous and cooperative in nature - and overall contribute positively to the effective operationof the Radiology Service
• Differences of opinion are handled in a business-like fashion
• Maintain flexibility and competency in assigned duties with no supervision during off tour hours to ensure adequate patient examinations and the integrity of imaging service
• Employee has a responsibility to recognize and exhibit good safety practices - to comply with published and communicated safety procedures - to immediately report observed safety infractions and unsafe working conditions
• Additional duties as assigned Work Schedule: 7:30am-4:00 pm with rotating shifts - weekend and holiday call Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus):Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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 Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 554-55015-A