Summary

This position represents an above the full performance level for this occupation. At this level the technician is required to perform a full range of procedures including special complicated examinations for which there are no standard instructions or procedures. Incumbent is responsible for providing staff development and training to staff. The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information - refer to Required Documents below.

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
• 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 are desirable
• Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition
• 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)
• Definitions: For purposes of this qualification standard the specialty areas of this occupation have been grouped into seven functional areas
• Diagnostic Ultrasound Technicians operate diagnostic ultrasonic scanning equipment to produce cross sectional and two dimensional pictures of internal organs and body structures used to diagnose diseases and other medical conditions
• Registration is offered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS)
• 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
• GS-9. In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-8 full performance level - positions at this level may be lead - supervisory - or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and duties
• (a) 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 (*): (b) 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 diagnostic ultrasonography
• *Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels
• *Ability to manage and supervise employees *Ability to provide - or provide for - staff development and training
• (c) 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
• (d) Assignments
• For all assignments above the full performance level - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - complexity (difficulty) - and range of variety - and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• GS-0649-09 Special Assignments
• Non-supervisory diagnostic ultrasound technicians may have assignments that because of their nature substantially exceed the full performance level
• The Professional Standards Board will review proposed non-supervisory special assignments for the GS-9 level and make a determination regarding their appropriateness
• These assignments are expected to be relatively few in number and must represent substantial additional responsibility over the full performance level
• Creditable Experience - Knowledge of Current Medical Instrument Technician Practices
• To be creditable - the experience must have required the use of knowledge - skills - abilities and other characteristics associated with current Medical Instrument Technician practice appropriate to the identified specialty area
• [Specialized developmental experience obtained under supervision of appropriately certified individuals may be credited at higher levels and is addressed in individual appendices.] Quality of Experience
• Experience is only creditable if it is equivalent to at least the next lower grade level and is directly related to the position/specialty to be filled
• Part-time Experience
• Part time experience is credited according to its relationship to a full time work week
• For example - an individual employed 20 hours per week - or on a ½ time basis would receive one work week credit for each two weeks of service
• 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-09 - which is the actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The incumbent will perform the following duties and responsibilities of a staff registered sonographer/technician which include but are not limited to: Performance of complex ultrasound examinations including breast - abdominal - renal - gynecological and small parts scanning - vascular - cerebrovascular system - lower arterial extremities - Doppler exams
• Transport of patients from wheelchairs and stretchers onto the ultrasound table
• Positioning of patients and selection of proper technical factors based on the individual patients medical condition and the procedure requested
• Performs consultations with clinicians to obtain complete clinical history
• gather pertinent clinical data
• Interpretation of sonographic images through comparison with known normal anatomic structures
• Selection of proper images for photography
• Assists physicians with various interventional biopsies in ultrasound
• Knowledge of equipment and software (P ACS) The incumbent is responsible for the quality assurance of the image (positioning/label/technique/ network information) prior to transmission to the PAC's network
• Maintains ultrasound exam records and/or reports for research studies and interesting case studies
• Schedules emergency ultrasound examinations
• Maintains a clean work area and adequate level of supplies with the ultrasound suite at all times
• Performs computer work and required forms associated with patient exams - complications and/or quality improvement activities
• Provides training staff development and guidance to students and residents from the affiliated programs
• Establishes policies and protocols with Ultrasound physicians
• The incumbent will participate in on-call or standby to provide 24 hour\\ 7 day week coverage
• Provide education to patients and their families on ultrasound procedures
• Clerical and file room duties related to patient care
• Other duties as assigned of a related nature Work Schedule: Tours of duty may vary depending on the internal department needs with weekdays - weekends - day and evening shift schedules
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized 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 #: 26063-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized