Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography)

Summary

The Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) operate diagnostic equipment to graphically record the position and motion of the heart walls or the internal structure of the heart and neighboring tissue by the echo obtained from beams of ultrasonic waves directed through the chest wall. The MIT conducts basic equipment maintenance, performs quality control measures, reports abnormal findings to physicians, and completes other administrative, technical or clerical tasks as required.

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Duties

Major duties:

• Performs all cardiac ultrasound examinations independently of the cardiac circulatory system (heart and surrounding structures) for the purpose of acquiring high quality ultrasounds that assist in the diagnosis and treatment of the patient's medical disorders.
• Demonstrates skill in obtaining trans-thoracic echocardiograms in all views based on protocol. Obtains color flow and Doppler images and measurements as defined by protocols.
• Proficient in performing complementary ultrasonic examinations (non-invasive and invasive) such as transthoracic, bubble studies, contrast echocardiography, stress echocardiography, Dobutamine stress echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiocraphy.
• Adjusts TGC (Time Gain Compensation) for optimal image quality through utilization of knowledge of tissue harmonics and soundwave propagation within the body.
• Uses knowledge of the physics of velocity, frequency of soundwaves, and their physical properties as well as knowledge of zoom, expansion, color flow Doppler, and pulsed echo Doppler in the daily performance of ultrasound imaging in order to ensure optimal imaging results.
• Interacts and communicates with the patient, using knowledge of medical terminology and anatomy and physiology, to obtain a brief history and physical pertinent to cardiovascular disease with familiarity of the associated signs and symptoms.
• Explains examinations to be performed to the patients so that an understanding of the purpose of the study, as well as, any requirements of the patient is thoroughly understood. This is done so that an adequate ultrasound study may be obtained in an effort to get diagnostic examinations for the purpose of treatment and diagnosis of disorders.
• Properly sets up ultrasound equipment for standard, routine, and semi-complex procedures. Makes multiple simultaneous settings and adjustments in operation of ultrasound equipment to meet the conditions of the examination and the patient. On the basis of radiologic and clinical findings, determines necessary ultrasonic procedures to yield definitive diagnostic findings.
• Abides by and follows procedures and protocols to meet patient needs and physical limitations.
• Understands and follows the preparation of patients for procedures (pharmacologic stress/exercise stress exams) and TEE.
• Advises cardiologist or the referring physician of significant abnormalities that would require their immediate attention and visualization while the patient is undergoing the examination.
• Performs or supervises routine housekeeping duties to assure that the ultrasound area is clean and sanitary. Also following RME policy for critical, semi-critical and non-critical equipment cleaning.
• Responsible for being aware of and practicing the safety policies/procedures of the medical center, and participating in quality assurance activities as directed.
• Maintains knowledge of Joint Commission and regulatory standards in order to ensure compliance and achieve objectives.
• Schedule inpatients and outpatients as needed.
• Adaptable and willing to learn new technology and techniques.
  
  

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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)

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm

Telework: Not Suitable

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• 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

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:

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  United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
  
  

GS-9 Grade Requirements:

Experience. Must have 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. 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 Echocardiography.
• 2. Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements.
• 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.



Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.



Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Education



Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

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.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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