Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Baltimore, MD, United States
Summary
The Medical Instrument Technician performs echocardiography studies (heart ultrasound) and records the procedure for interpretation by a cardiologist. This is a diagnostic ultrasound procedure to assess heart function and identify possible abnormalities to assist the cardiologist with determining the most appropriate treatment plan for the patient. Technician is responsible for ensuring all procedure images are properly filed and the final procedure reports are downloaded onto CPRS.
Qualifications
United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
Licensure or Certification
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 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
English Language Proficiency
Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a
Grade Determinations: Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) GS-08
Experience
At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-07)
Experience which provided the overall knowledge, skills, and abilities to conduct diagnostic echocardiography examinations in complex and unusual cases
Certification
Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable
Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: 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
Knowledge of normal echocardiographic findings and deviations produced by a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases
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
Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations (including noninvasive) transthoracic, bubble studies and contrast echocardiography (invasive) stress echocardiography, and transesophageal echocardiography
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
Preferred Experience: The technician needs to be proficient in performing echocardiographs, assisting with transesophageal echocardiograms (TEE) and processing TEE scopes
Echocardiograph procedures include M-mode, two‑dimensional color Doppler
Certain areas of the heart may require focused images based on the consultation notes provided by the cardiologist
The technician must have comprehensive knowledge of cross‑sectional cardiac anatomy
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-08
The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-08
Physical Requirements: Light to moderate carrying up to 44 pounds - straight pulling - pushing - reaching above shoulders - use of fingers and hands - walking - standing - repeated bending - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordinating simultaneously - near vision correctable at 13"" to 16"" to Jaeger 1 to 4 - far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other - both eyes required - depth perception - ability to distinguish basic colors - ability to distinguish shades of colors - hearing (aid permitted)
Mental and emotional stability required
Works closely with others or alone
Duties
Total Rewards of an Allied Health Professional Major Duties include but are not limited to: performs echocardiography studies (heart ultrasound) and records the procedure for interpretation by a cardiologist
This is a diagnostic ultrasound procedure to assess heart function and identify possible abnormalities to assist the cardiologist with determining the most appropriate treatment plan for the patient
Responsible for ensuring all procedure images are properly filed and the final procedure reports are downloaded onto CPRS
Performs echocardiographs; assists with transesophageal echocardiograms (TEE) and processing TEE scopes
Echocardiograph procedures include M-mode - two‑dimensional color Doppler
Certain areas of the heart may require focused images based on the consultation notes provided by the cardiologist
The technician must have a comprehensive knowledge of cross‑sectional cardiac anatomy
Required to successfully complete a competency assessment for reprocessing the transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) scopes
Maintains an adequate supply inventory to ensure there are no delays in procedures due to the lack of required supplies
Performs patient preparation before initiating the procedure
Initiates an electronic procedure report for each patient and provides initial information prior to the cardiologist completing the procedure report
Responsible for ensuring all completed reports are properly downloaded into CPRS
Assesses proper functioning of equipment and contacts biomedical engineering if equipment is not working properly
Verifies the accuracy of the Equipment Inventory List for the Echocardiography program
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday – 8:00am – 4:30pm
Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus): May be authorized for highly qualified candidates
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): 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 #: 512‑26936‑F – Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
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The Medical Instrument Technician performs echocardiography studies (heart ultrasound) and records the procedure for interpretation by a cardiologist. This is a diagnostic ultrasound procedure to assess heart function and identify possible abnormalities to assist the cardiologist with determining the most appropriate treatment plan for the patient. Technician is responsible for ensuring all procedure images are properly filed and the final procedure reports are downloaded onto CPRS.
Qualifications
United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
Licensure or Certification
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 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
English Language Proficiency
Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a
Grade Determinations: Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) GS-08
Experience
At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-07)
Experience which provided the overall knowledge, skills, and abilities to conduct diagnostic echocardiography examinations in complex and unusual cases
Certification
Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable
Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: 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
Knowledge of normal echocardiographic findings and deviations produced by a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases
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
Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations (including noninvasive) transthoracic, bubble studies and contrast echocardiography (invasive) stress echocardiography, and transesophageal echocardiography
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
Preferred Experience: The technician needs to be proficient in performing echocardiographs, assisting with transesophageal echocardiograms (TEE) and processing TEE scopes
Echocardiograph procedures include M-mode, two‑dimensional color Doppler
Certain areas of the heart may require focused images based on the consultation notes provided by the cardiologist
The technician must have comprehensive knowledge of cross‑sectional cardiac anatomy
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-08
The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-08
Physical Requirements: Light to moderate carrying up to 44 pounds - straight pulling - pushing - reaching above shoulders - use of fingers and hands - walking - standing - repeated bending - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordinating simultaneously - near vision correctable at 13"" to 16"" to Jaeger 1 to 4 - far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other - both eyes required - depth perception - ability to distinguish basic colors - ability to distinguish shades of colors - hearing (aid permitted)
Mental and emotional stability required
Works closely with others or alone
Duties
Total Rewards of an Allied Health Professional Major Duties include but are not limited to: performs echocardiography studies (heart ultrasound) and records the procedure for interpretation by a cardiologist
This is a diagnostic ultrasound procedure to assess heart function and identify possible abnormalities to assist the cardiologist with determining the most appropriate treatment plan for the patient
Responsible for ensuring all procedure images are properly filed and the final procedure reports are downloaded onto CPRS
Performs echocardiographs; assists with transesophageal echocardiograms (TEE) and processing TEE scopes
Echocardiograph procedures include M-mode - two‑dimensional color Doppler
Certain areas of the heart may require focused images based on the consultation notes provided by the cardiologist
The technician must have a comprehensive knowledge of cross‑sectional cardiac anatomy
Required to successfully complete a competency assessment for reprocessing the transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) scopes
Maintains an adequate supply inventory to ensure there are no delays in procedures due to the lack of required supplies
Performs patient preparation before initiating the procedure
Initiates an electronic procedure report for each patient and provides initial information prior to the cardiologist completing the procedure report
Responsible for ensuring all completed reports are properly downloaded into CPRS
Assesses proper functioning of equipment and contacts biomedical engineering if equipment is not working properly
Verifies the accuracy of the Equipment Inventory List for the Echocardiography program
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday – 8:00am – 4:30pm
Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus): May be authorized for highly qualified candidates
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): 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 #: 512‑26936‑F – Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
#J-18808-Ljbffr