Medical Instrument Technician-Echocardiography
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Cheyenne, WY, United States
Summary
The VA Cheyenne Health Care System is hiring for one Medical Instrument Technician-Echocardiography.
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.
Education: No specific educational requirements for this occupation. Education may be substituted for experience only at the GS‑4 and GS‑5 levels.
Licensure or Certification: Not required, but strongly desirable at GS‑6 or above as evidence of possession of essential knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the criteria discussed in the applicable headings or that defined in the appendices must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
For individuals at the GS‑4 and GS‑5 levels, the approved title will be Medical Instrument Technician (Trainee).
GS‑4 Experience
At least 1 year of experience demonstrating knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position.
Six months of experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant, practical nursing, or similar fields.
Remaining six months must have been in operating diagnostic and therapeutic equipment covered by this occupation.
Experience in operating equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited at this level.
Or Education: Successful completion of two years of education above high school or an associate's degree with a major field of study directly related to the medical instrument technician occupation.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of basic medical terminology.
Ability to learn the components, operating characteristics, and settings of the equipment to be used.
Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and recognize signs of distress.
Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
GS‑5 Experience
At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level demonstrating knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position.
Experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization for which application is made or in related functional areas.
Experience in operating equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level.
Or Education: Successful completion of 4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions.
Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment.
Ability to learn normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities.
Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures.
Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment, including disassembly, cleaning, reassembly, and calibration.
GS‑6 Experience
At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level demonstrating knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the heart and great vessels.
Knowledge of cardiac arrhythmias and their relationship to hemodynamic conditions of the cardiac cycle.
Knowledge of basic cardiac ultrasound physics and the acoustic mechanisms by which high‑quality cardiac images are obtained.
Ability to set up and adjust the ultrasound equipment to meet examination conditions and operate the equipment for standardized routine procedures.
Ability to interact with patients explaining procedures and positioning the patient for the procedure.
GS‑7 Experience
At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level demonstrating knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position.
Experience providing the knowledge, skills, and abilities to independently conduct difficult but standardized echocardiographic examinations.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Ability to perform more complex electroencephalography studies such as evoked potentials and transcranial Doppler studies.
Knowledge of medication effects related to electroencephalography studies and clinical situations requiring medication.
Knowledge of life‑threatening or medically emergent testing or patient situations.
Ability to recognize artifacts and document or eliminate them properly.
GS‑8 Experience
At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level demonstrating knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position.
Experience providing overall knowledge, skills, and abilities to conduct diagnostic echocardiography examinations in complex and unusual cases.
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, pericardial effusion, and cardiovascular studies deriving pressure gradients across obstructed valves.
Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations including non‑invasive 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 and document abnormal findings.
Reference: VA HANDBOOK 5005/54 – PART II – APPENDIX G27. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ .
Duties
The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) functions as a member of the Cardiology multidisciplinary team and works in the Cardiology/Echocardiography Section of the Cheyenne VA Medical Center in Cheyenne – WY.
Identifies and records anomalies of the heart indicative of disease, injury, or other medically significant conditions using ultrasound imaging equipment while performing simultaneous Doppler recordings.
Changes and develops scanning techniques to accommodate variables such as limited patient mobility, variation in physical condition, cardiovascular pathology, body habitus, and anatomical variations of the patient.
Uses adaptive scanning methods to accommodate the presence of prosthetics or foreign objects.
Recognizes the ultrasonic response of different body parts and tissues.
Produces diagnostic quality cardiac images and Doppler frequency recordings using M‑mode, two‑dimensional, and Doppler ultrasound.
Performs routine‑standard cardiac ultrasound examinations under the supervision of a fully qualified cardiac sonographer.
Generates adequate gray‑scale images to define cardiac borders and performs Doppler integration of cardiac valves for determination of flow velocities.
Performs 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, pericardial effusion, thrombus, and cardiovascular studies deriving pressure gradients across obstructed valves.
Identifies and records anomalies indicative of diseases, injury, or other medically significant conditions from ultrasound imaging and simultaneous recordings of the Doppler.
Monitors patient's condition during procedure.
Performs quality assurance reviews as assigned by supervisor.
Communicates effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels.
Participates in organizational and VISN‑level conferences, task forces, and committees as assigned to implement performance standards at the local level.
Adopts, develops, or improves imaging procedures and techniques for individual problems.
Takes initiative to learn new developments in the field, recommend changes to improve service, correct deficiencies, and improve reliability of test and treatment results.
Procedures and techniques adapted or developed by the sonographer may be considered to form the basis for hospital standardization.
Assists in maintaining and ordering adequate supplies used in the Echo lab.
Assists in the transport of patients when transportation services are not available.
Work Schedule: Full‑time – Monday‑Friday – 8:00 am–4:30 pm.
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Pay may be at a higher step rate of the appropriate grade after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA.
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: Ad‑hoc and Situational Telework is Available.
Functional Statement #: PD58799‑A – PD58800‑A – PD58801‑A – PD58802‑A – and PD58803‑A.
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The VA Cheyenne Health Care System is hiring for one Medical Instrument Technician-Echocardiography.
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.
Education: No specific educational requirements for this occupation. Education may be substituted for experience only at the GS‑4 and GS‑5 levels.
Licensure or Certification: Not required, but strongly desirable at GS‑6 or above as evidence of possession of essential knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the criteria discussed in the applicable headings or that defined in the appendices must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
For individuals at the GS‑4 and GS‑5 levels, the approved title will be Medical Instrument Technician (Trainee).
GS‑4 Experience
At least 1 year of experience demonstrating knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position.
Six months of experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant, practical nursing, or similar fields.
Remaining six months must have been in operating diagnostic and therapeutic equipment covered by this occupation.
Experience in operating equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited at this level.
Or Education: Successful completion of two years of education above high school or an associate's degree with a major field of study directly related to the medical instrument technician occupation.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of basic medical terminology.
Ability to learn the components, operating characteristics, and settings of the equipment to be used.
Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and recognize signs of distress.
Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted.
Ability to communicate orally and in writing.
GS‑5 Experience
At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level demonstrating knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position.
Experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization for which application is made or in related functional areas.
Experience in operating equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level.
Or Education: Successful completion of 4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions.
Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment.
Ability to learn normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities.
Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures.
Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment, including disassembly, cleaning, reassembly, and calibration.
GS‑6 Experience
At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level demonstrating knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the heart and great vessels.
Knowledge of cardiac arrhythmias and their relationship to hemodynamic conditions of the cardiac cycle.
Knowledge of basic cardiac ultrasound physics and the acoustic mechanisms by which high‑quality cardiac images are obtained.
Ability to set up and adjust the ultrasound equipment to meet examination conditions and operate the equipment for standardized routine procedures.
Ability to interact with patients explaining procedures and positioning the patient for the procedure.
GS‑7 Experience
At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level demonstrating knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position.
Experience providing the knowledge, skills, and abilities to independently conduct difficult but standardized echocardiographic examinations.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Ability to perform more complex electroencephalography studies such as evoked potentials and transcranial Doppler studies.
Knowledge of medication effects related to electroencephalography studies and clinical situations requiring medication.
Knowledge of life‑threatening or medically emergent testing or patient situations.
Ability to recognize artifacts and document or eliminate them properly.
GS‑8 Experience
At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level demonstrating knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position.
Experience providing overall knowledge, skills, and abilities to conduct diagnostic echocardiography examinations in complex and unusual cases.
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, pericardial effusion, and cardiovascular studies deriving pressure gradients across obstructed valves.
Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations including non‑invasive 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 and document abnormal findings.
Reference: VA HANDBOOK 5005/54 – PART II – APPENDIX G27. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ .
Duties
The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) functions as a member of the Cardiology multidisciplinary team and works in the Cardiology/Echocardiography Section of the Cheyenne VA Medical Center in Cheyenne – WY.
Identifies and records anomalies of the heart indicative of disease, injury, or other medically significant conditions using ultrasound imaging equipment while performing simultaneous Doppler recordings.
Changes and develops scanning techniques to accommodate variables such as limited patient mobility, variation in physical condition, cardiovascular pathology, body habitus, and anatomical variations of the patient.
Uses adaptive scanning methods to accommodate the presence of prosthetics or foreign objects.
Recognizes the ultrasonic response of different body parts and tissues.
Produces diagnostic quality cardiac images and Doppler frequency recordings using M‑mode, two‑dimensional, and Doppler ultrasound.
Performs routine‑standard cardiac ultrasound examinations under the supervision of a fully qualified cardiac sonographer.
Generates adequate gray‑scale images to define cardiac borders and performs Doppler integration of cardiac valves for determination of flow velocities.
Performs 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, pericardial effusion, thrombus, and cardiovascular studies deriving pressure gradients across obstructed valves.
Identifies and records anomalies indicative of diseases, injury, or other medically significant conditions from ultrasound imaging and simultaneous recordings of the Doppler.
Monitors patient's condition during procedure.
Performs quality assurance reviews as assigned by supervisor.
Communicates effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels.
Participates in organizational and VISN‑level conferences, task forces, and committees as assigned to implement performance standards at the local level.
Adopts, develops, or improves imaging procedures and techniques for individual problems.
Takes initiative to learn new developments in the field, recommend changes to improve service, correct deficiencies, and improve reliability of test and treatment results.
Procedures and techniques adapted or developed by the sonographer may be considered to form the basis for hospital standardization.
Assists in maintaining and ordering adequate supplies used in the Echo lab.
Assists in the transport of patients when transportation services are not available.
Work Schedule: Full‑time – Monday‑Friday – 8:00 am–4:30 pm.
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Pay may be at a higher step rate of the appropriate grade after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA.
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: Ad‑hoc and Situational Telework is Available.
Functional Statement #: PD58799‑A – PD58800‑A – PD58801‑A – PD58802‑A – and PD58803‑A.
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