Summary

The Therapeutic and Diagnostic Imaging (TDI) service at the Dayton VA Medical Center is looking for an intermittent - Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) - Diagnostic Ultrasound. The Ultrasound Technologist (also known as Sonographer) works directly with patients and Physicians and operates equipment that uses high frequency soundwaves to take images and scans of the body's internal organs.

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
• 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 GS6: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy in order to receive and interpret physician requests for routine - standardized ultrasonography procedures
• Knowledge of tissue harmonics and soundwave propagation within the body to adjust TGC (Time Gain Compensation) for optimal image quality
• Knowledge of the physics of velocity - frequency of soundwaves - and their physical properties
• Ability to set up and adjust the ultrasound equipment to meet the conditions of the examination and the patient and to operate the equipment for standardized - routine procedures
• Ability to interact with patients explaining procedures and positioning the patient for the procedure Grade Determinations GS7: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled
• This would be experience which provided the individual with the knowledge - skills - and abilities to independently conduct difficult but standardized diagnostic ultrasonography examinations
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to set up and adjust the ultrasound equipment to meet the conditions of the examination and the patient and to operate the equipment for more complex - but standardized procedures
• Knowledge of zoom - expansion - prospectus - color Doppler - and pulsed echo Doppler
• Knowledge of the digital transmission of images
• Ability to alter standard - but complex procedures and protocols to meet patient needs and physical limitations
• Grade Determinations GS8: Ability to perform diagnostic ultrasound examination on multiple areas of the body - including - but not limited to - the abdomen - pelvis - transvaginal - chest - small parts - thyroid - breast - and scrotum
• Ability to perform vascular studies such as vertebral - renal artery - aortic aneurysm - portal systemic shunts - etc
• Ability to assist radiologists with biopsy procedures determining the location - depth - and required needle angle for the lesion to be sampled
• Ability to assist in surgical procedures and fluid aspirations
• Grade Determinations GS9: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 (*): 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
• 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 Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound) is under Appendix C in the GS-649 Qualification Standard
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS9
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Major duties include but are not limited to: Interpret requests or instructions from radiologist or medical officers
• Independently interpret and carry out the requests made by physicians
• Prepares room - equipment and materials needed for patient procedures
• Explains procedures to patient in a manner that will gain cooperation - understanding - and allay apprehension
• Transfer patients from stretcher or wheelchair to sonographer exam table utilizing safe patient handling techniques
• ergonomic methods and devices
• Positions the patient for desired results
• utilizing positioning cushions and privacy shields as appropriate
• Performs diagnostic ultrasound examinations on multiple areas of the body - including - but not limited to the abdomen - neck - chest - extremities - pelvis - and retroperitoneal space - for the purpose of acquiring high quality examinations that assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patient medical disorders
• Performs Intra-Operative Ultrasound examinations to assist the Interventional Radiologists in procedures in a sterile surgical environment
• Sets up equipment - makes multiple simultaneous settings and adjustments in operation of the equipment - and manually maneuvers the transducer to perform the exam
• insuring accurate results
• Properly selects patient's information from the computerized Radiology Information System (RIS) as well as the work list management portion of the Health Information System (HIS/)-RIS interface on the workstation - verifies patient information by performing a timeout process prior to scanning
• Troubleshoot equipment for error or malfunction
• Perform computer work and required forms associated with patient exams - credit of patient visits - complications and/or quality improvement activities of the department
• Distributes ultrasound examinations and related information to the radiologist responsible for the interpretation of the exams
• Other duties as assigned
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Intermittent Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not 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 #: 93980-0 - 93981-0 - 93982-0 - 94317-0 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized