Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Myrtle Beach (SC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a full-time Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) for the Myrtle Beach VA Clinic, part of the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center system in Charleston, SC.

The Echo Tech will perform complex imaging studies, operate specialized ultrasound equipment, and contribute to diagnosis within cardiology. Responsibilities include independent image acquisition, Doppler analysis, and mentoring staff, with a typical Monday–Friday schedule and

Qualifications

• United States citizenship and English language proficiency are required.
• Qualification standards for VA echocardiography practice must be reviewed and met.
• Registration/certification in echocardiography (CCI RDCS or ARDMS RDCS) is desirable.
• Basic Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced echocardiography examinations with Doppler and 3D capabilities.
• Operate, calibrate, and maintain echocardiography equipment.
• Record and interpret ultrasound findings and Doppler studies.
• Mentor cardiology staff and trainees in echocardiography imaging.

Skills

English proficiency

US citizenship

Echocardiography knowledge

Staff training & supervision

Tools

Echocardiography equipment

Job description

Summary

The Nursing Perioperative Service is seeking a full-time Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) for the Myrtle Beach VA Clinic with the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center - in Charleston - South Carolina.

Summary

The Nursing Perioperative Service is seeking a full-time Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) for the Myrtle Beach VA Clinic with the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center - in Charleston - South Carolina.

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 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)
• The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 Hybrid qualification standards
• Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation
• Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation
• All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration - may be reassigned - promoted - or demoted within the occupation
• Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration - may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level - or demoted within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels
• Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C.
• 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation - the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.??????? Grade Determinations: GS-09 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs 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
• 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
• Reference: FORMER VA HANDBOOK REFERENCE: PART II APPENDIX G27
• 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
• Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
• The incumbent will be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations: able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) (ECHO Tech) is assigned to Cardiology Section and has knowledge of thoracic anatomy and physiology
• The Echo Tech performs assigned duties of significant scope - complexity - and variety
• The Echo Tech identifies and records anomalies indicative of disease - injury - or other medically significant condition from ultrasound imaging and simultaneous recordings of the Doppler
• Typical duties may include - but are not limited to: Has advanced knowledge of complex and non-standard treatment and exam procedure techniques
• The Cardiac Sonographer must use independent judgment in applying knowledge of clinical Cardiology and ultrasound - and Doppler principles
• Technical expert in the operation - calibration and maintenance of the specialized equipment in the ECHO lab
• Performs digital image management and acts as Super User for imaging storage system
• Acts as a resource and mentors staff and cardiology trainees in their development of the echocardiography imaging skills
• Performs complex procedures such as cardiac studies of the 4 chambers of the heart and valves using sector scanning techniques to detect stenotic and incompetent valves - chamber enlargement - and pericardia! effusion - thrombus and pressure gradients across obstructed valves
• Performs diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency shift recordings using Mmode - 2-D - pulsed and continuous wave Doppler spectral display and color flow Doppler imaging
• Performs transesophageal echocardiograms dobutamine and exercise stress and 3D echocardiograms
• Adapts transducer positioning - instrument controls and examination techniques to the individual patient and to the problem to be evaluated
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30am - 4:00pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (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) 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 #: FS 61495 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized