Summary

The incumbent functions independently as a Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (Echocardiographer) in the Cardiology Section of Medical Service at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center. The cardiac sonographer is responsible for the performance of a full range of Transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE) and Transesophageal echocardiograms (TEE) utilizing the cardiac ultrasound equipment. There is a recruitment incentive authorized for this recruitment.

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
• 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"
• English Language Proficiency
• Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this part
• 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)
• Grade Determinations:GS-9 Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography): Experience
• 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• 1
• 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
• 3
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels
• 4
• Ability to provide - or provide for - staff development and training
• Preferred Experience: 1+ year(s) experience as a cardiac sonographer
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The majority of the work performed is in the Echocardiography laboratory
• however bedside echocardiograms are needed in various care units within the VAMC
• The cardiac sonographers work may require long periods of scanning while sitting or standing - bending over and pushing the cardiac ultrasound machine to the bedside of inpatients that cannot be transported to the Echocardiogram Lab
• The sonographer may be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases and may need to respond appropriately to an acute change in the patient's condition
• The sonographer must have the ability to perform in high stress situations including but not limited to medical emergencies.

Duties

• The major duties of the Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) include:- Maintain the skill and ability to set up - clean up and assist Cardiologists in performing complete Transesophageal biplane echocardiograms (TEE) in order to visualize all cardiac structures with 2D real time imaging - M-mode - Color flow Doppler - Pulse wave Doppler - Continuous wave Doppler and 3D imaging modes.- Possess the skill and ability to carry out the most complex laboratory procedures by performing 3D Cardiac ultrasounds including 3D Transthoracic echocardiograms (3D TTE) and 3D Transesophageal echocardiograms (3D TEE).- Possess knowledge of the following: The complete cardiovascular system - normal variants and deviations produced by a wide variety of cardiovascular disease processes and the skill to instantaneously recognize those variations
• i.e
• Cardiomyopathies - valvular disease and congenital abnormalities
• Recognition of cardiac cross-sectional anatomy and pathophysiology - particularly pertaining to intracardiac structures viewed from numerous angles and planes - to recognize anatomic features - motion characteristics and pathology in order to optimally image the heart for diagnostic results
• The more complex examinations - non-standard treatment procedures and techniques
• Cardiac arrhythmias and their relationship to hemodynamic conditions of the cardiac cycle
• Normal and abnormal Electrocardiograms (ECG such as: bundle branch block - Wolff-Parkinson-white syndrome - ventricular ectopy - atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter)
• - Have the ability to: Set up and adjust the ultrasound equipment to meet the conditions of each specific examination and each individual patient to obtain diagnostic quality images
• Adapt the transducer positioning - instrument controls and examination techniques to the individual patient being scanned and the problem being evaluated
• Including recognizing pertinent abnormalities and documenting abnormal findings
• Communicate effectively and professionally with patients explaining procedures and with employees at varying professional levels
• The patient population treated is at high risk for cardiopulmonary arrest and the sonographer must be competent to assist with the rescue during these events
• Perform complex procedures such as cardiac ultrasound studies of the four chambers of the heart and valves using sector scanning techniques to detect cardiac disease such as stenosis and/or incompetent valves - chamber enlargement and pericardial effusion
• Cardiac ultrasound studies deriving velocities and pressure gradients across all cardiac valves to assess for degree of obstruction or regurgitation
• Recognize life threatening echocardiogram findings - i.e
• cardiac tamponade
• Adapt each echocardiogram accordingly with non-standard acoustic window availability providing non-standard images in order to thoroughly evaluate and answer the clinical question
• Correctly identify which echocardiogram calculations are clinically indicated and properly perform all measurements and calculations for each individual cardiac ultrasound
• Evaluate new products and equipment to make recommendations concerning developments which would improve diagnostic quality - more efficient collection and analysis of cardiac ultrasound data
• Respond to Cardiac emergencies with cardiac ultrasound guidance when needed
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 7:00am to 3:30pm or 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 91460-A Recruitment Incentive: Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.