Medical Instrument Technologist (Diagnostic Ultrasound)

Summary

The Oklahoma City VAMC, Diagnostic Imaging Services is recruiting for one (1) Medical Instrument Technologist (Ultrasound). This position will be assigned to the the Oklahoma City, OK VAMC.

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Duties

The Medical Instrument tech provides imaging to the Veterans at the Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Health Care System (OKC VA HCS). OKC VAJCS is a level 1b major interdisciplinary teaching facility with service-lines serving medical, surgical, and neurological outpatients and inpatients, with a level III emergency department and multiple community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCS) Medical Instrument Technologists at this level operate and monitor commonly used equipment performing routine procedures and more complex studies under complete autonomy. The technologist functions independently in carrying out these standardized procedures and the most complex studies. The technologist should be familiar with

deviations from regular procedures, anticipate problems, and unfamiliar situations. The technologist works with the Radiologist to ensure the study is optimal taking only the most complex issues for Radiologist opinion. At this level the sonographer is more proficient in performing complex exams and may assist other sonographers in the performance of difficult exams.

• Prepare exam room and ultrasound equipment to conduct routine and complex sonography examinations in accordance with infections disease, sterilization, and patient safety protocols, policies, and procedures. Ensure room is properly stocked and ready each day.
• Assume responsibility for the safety of the patient during the sonographic Examination.
• Prepare requisitions and schedule for the next day.
• Review patient medical history and supporting clinical information.
• Utilizes cross sectional and structural anatomy and physiology to perform examinations. Prepares for examinations by reviewing patient history, prior imaging studies i.e.: CT, MRI, and prior ultrasound.
• Review exam orders for accuracy in relation to reason for study and patient. history. Communicate with ordering provider and/or Radiologist for corrections.
• Evaluate any contraindications, insufficient patient preparation, and the patient's inability or unwillingness to tolerate the examination and associated procedures.
• Communicate with the patient in a manner appropriate to the patient's ability to understand, explains procedure and answers question in regard to the procedure.
• Use proper patient positioning tools, devices, equipment adjustment, and ergonomically correct scanning techniques to ensure patient comfort and safety, and to prevent compromised data acquisition and musculoskeletal injury to the sonographer.
• Applies protocols to examinations. Utilizes patient position, scan plane, transducer type, measurements, and Doppler to acquire diagnostic images.
• Labels images correctly. Compensates for imaging artifacts.
• Perform the diagnostic medical sonography examination ordered by the physician in accordance with professional and facility protocols, which includes but not limited to abdomen, Doppler examination of intra- abdominal blood vessels, pelvis, superficial structures, soft tissue, scrotum, and head/neck within the department or as a portable Provides diagnostic images by recognizing normal anatomy versus pathology for all examination types including disease processes.
• Assists the radiologist with procedures such as biopsies, paracentesis and thoracentesis utilizing sterile technique. Determine depth, location and required needle angle for procedure.
• Confers and works under direction of the radiologist/physician when performing complex examinations such as renal cyst punctures, organ biopsies and fluid aspiration, as well as intraoperative procedures.
• Independently performs various ultrasound exams without direct supervision refers unusual or difficult situation to Staff Radiologist or Supervisor. Daily workflow is arranged by Supervisor of Ultrasound. Spot checks on completed exams may be performed by the Radiologist to determine if objectives were achieved.
• Performs irregular stand-by duty on a rotational basis to provide 24-hour hospital coverage. This requires the technologist to be available within 30 minutes from receipt of call so that proper and effective emergency care is provided to the patient.
• The Supervisor provides direction on objectives and priorities for new work, deadlines, changes for new and established work. The employee identifies the work done, plans and carries out the steps required and submits completed work to users without supervisory approval.
• The Technologist is to rely on established departmental policy and guidelines when working irregular tours. Supervisory guidance is available via a phone call or pager. The Technologist is expected to use sound judgment and standard protocol when making decisions.
  
  

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 51641-A

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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

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.
• 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.
• 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 aredesirable. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition.
  
  

Grade Determinations:

GS-08

Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the GS-07 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 overall knowledge, skills, and abilities to conduct diagnostic ultrasound examinations in complex and unusual cases. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• 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, portalsystemic 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.
  
  

Certification: Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable.

References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G27; Appendix C - Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound)

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08.



Physical Requirements: 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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