Summary

The Echocardiography Technician (Echo Tech) is assigned to Cardiology Section and has knowledge of thoracic anatomy and physiology. The Echo tech performs assigned duties of significant scope - complexity - and variety. The Echo tech identifies and records anomalies indicative of disease - injury - or other medically significant condition from ultrasound imaging and simultaneous recordings of the Doppler

Qualifications

*** This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 2 - 2025. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be June 18 - 2025. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled*** 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
• 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
• Education
• There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation
• 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
• Grade Determinations: GS-9 Experience: At least 1 year experience comparable to the next lower grade level GS-8 - 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
• GS-8 KSAs 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 color flow 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
• AND GS-9 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 (*): 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
• Preferred Experience: 3-5 years of Cardiac Sonographer experience
• GS-9 - 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) required
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification required and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification is desirable
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Able to meet the physical demands of the position
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• While performing duties of this job the Echocardiography Technician is frequently required to stand - walk - and bend and reach
• Must be able to lift and/or move over 50 pounds
• They must have good manual dexterity and keyboarding skills
• Must be able to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word
• Must be able to view and read information on computer screens.

Duties

• Performs diagnostic quality images & Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode - 2-D - 3-D - pulsed & continuous wave Doppler spectral display - & color flow Doppler imaging using digital technology
• Performs transesophageal echocardiograms - dobutamine & exercise stress - & 3-D echocardiograms
• Performs insertion of intra-venous catheters utilizing ultrasound on all patients
• Prepares & attaches patient to stress test equipment & performs stress echocardiograms using digital acquisition & pharmaceutical agent with & without LV cavity opacification agent
• Performs any new scanning techniques that are developed by the manufacturers of the ultrasound machines after a training program is completed Adapts transducer positioning - instrument controls & examination techniques to the individual patient & to illuminate the problem being evaluated
• Monitors patient's condition during procedures
• Triages inpatient procedure requests daily
• Accurately documents information in the medical record & any other clinical or administrative applications
• Technically knowledgeable in the operation - calibration - & maintenance of the specialized equipment in the echo lab
• Completes encounters on all echo's performed - using the correct CPT codes - diagnosis
• Assists in restocking of supplies/linens in procedure rooms as needed
• Participates in Quality Management Customer Service
• Participates in facility conferences - task forces & committees as assigned
• Communicates effectively & professionally with employees at varying grade levels - patients & their families - & customers from outside facilities
• Precepts new staff & cardiology trainees in their development of echocardiography imaging skills
• Serves as a consultant to other health care professionals related to echo procedures
• Assists the scheduling clerk in determining appropriateness of consults - triage & priority
• Follows hospital policy & Reusable Medical Equipment SOP on the set up - use - reprocessing & maintenance of all equipment & supplies per manufacturer instructions for use
• Completes initial RME competency during orientation & then annual competency validation
• Performs complex procedures such as cardiac studies of the 4 chambers of the heart & valves using sector scanning techniques to detect stenotic & incompetent valves - chamber enlargement - & pericardia! effusion - thrombus - & pressure gradients across obstructed valves
• Independently performs 2D transthoracic examinations & makes decisions for saline/contrast injection studies & LV cavity opacification agent use
• Coordinates the echo lab function arranging for TEE - stress echo - & Dobutamine stress tests for outpatient & inpatient studies - coordinating with providers
• Receives patients - explains procedure - assists patient in preparation for the procedure with clothing - position - transfer - performs exam
• Completes check-in/out on each patient in CP User & CPRS & enters encounter codes for report & event capture
• Assists staff cardiologist/attending MD with obtaining 3D transesophageal echocardiography & images for evaluation of patients with complicated valvular & structural heart disease using digital acquisition
• Performs strain imaging in echocardiography as needed & indicated
• Works with echo lab director & manager to develop protocols for standardization of imaging views during echocardiographic procedures
• Orders & maintains supplies such as contrast agents - IV supplies - linens - & ancillary supplies
• Develops & implements policies - procedures - & protocols for echocardiographic imaging under the guidance of cardiology attending physicians & the nurse manager
• Serves as the Education coordinator & maintains records of training for echo - involved in the development & maintenance of competency & education records for the echo lab staff
• Assesses - identifies - & provides training to meet the needs of echo lab staff
• Works with echo lab director & nurse manager to implement & maintain a Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement program - participates in auditing staff
• Has knowledge of more complex examination & treatment procedures & techniques to provide training & supervision in these procedures
• Remains abreast of new developments in the echo field - arranges for in service - evaluation & demonstration of new technology & equipment
• Work Schedule:7:30am-4:00pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 54714-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized