Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography)

Summary The incumbent works in the Cardiology Section of Specialty Care Service at the New Mexico Veteran Affairs Health Care System (NMVAHCS). The Medical Instrument Technician-Echocardiography operates diagnostic equipment to graphically record the position and motion of the heart walls or the internal structure of the heart and neighboring tissue by the echo obtained from beams of ultrasonic waves directed through the chest wall. Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for highly qualified applicants

Qualifications

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

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

English Language Proficiency

Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d)

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 Specialized Experience: At least 1 year 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 experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of echocardiography services

In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): 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

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

Certification

Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) is highly desirable

Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable

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-9

Physical Requirements: The tasks of this position generally require sitting - standing - and occasional crouching or kneeling

Moderate lifting is required to move equipment throughout the department and facility

Considerable manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination are required

This includes continuous observation of a computer screen.

Duties

Duties include but limited to: Advanced knowledge of complex and non-standard treatment and exam procedures and techniques

Use independent judgment in applying knowledge of clinical cardiology and ultrasound - and Doppler principles

Use problem-solving skills to optimize the evaluation and adjust the exam to ensure that it is comprehensive and accurate

Records and does preliminary interpretation of the exam and presents information and or possible diagnosis to the interpreting physician

Performs real-time 3D - 2D - M-Mode - continuous and pulse wave - color - and tissue Doppler exams

Performs transthoracic examinations and stress echocardiograms with and without pharmaceuticals

Includes 3D imaging in all studies with the exception of studies lacking appropriate image quality to obtain suitable data

Notifies the Attending physician with preliminary echocardiograph results that may need immediate interpretation and intervention

Receives patients - explains the procedure - and performs the appropriate complete exam

Sets - calibrates - and operates the ultrasound equipment

Performs routine maintenance on all Echo Lab equipment at intervals recommended by the manufacturer

Shares responsibility for coordinating emergency and preventive maintenance of the lab equipment

Maintains cleanliness of the work environment between studies and at the end of the workday

Provides training for Cardiology Fellows in performing studies and preliminary interpretation of echo exams

Incumbent Teaches echo-Doppler principles and procedures - theory of operations and theory of interpretation of results to trainee echocardiographic technicians - nursing students - nurses - medical students - residents - and fellows (especially cardiology fellows)

Responds to emergency requests for echo-Doppler studies within 30 minutes during normal working hours

Checks the appropriateness of such emergency requests with a cardiology fellow or cardiology attending

Maintains skills in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and actively assists in CPR should the need arise

Attends regional and national professional meetings at the request or approval of the Echocardiography Lab Medical Director and/or Cardiology Nurse Manager to keep current on new technical and practical developments in the echo-Doppler field

Evaluates new products and equipment and makes recommendations concerning developments which would improve operations in the Echo Lab

Start intravenous access on patients and perform saline contrast studies and cavity enhancing contrast studies with the assistance of the cardiology nurse or fellow upon request/order by a physician

Assist the physicians involved in performing transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) examinations

Assist with monitoring the patient during a TEE study by monitoring patient's blood pressure - heart rate and rhythm - and O2 saturation

Performs suctioning of the patient if necessary

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized

Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized

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 #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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