Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks an Echocardiography Technician with advanced thoracic anatomy knowledge and cardiovascular imaging skills.

The role includes recording anomalies from ultrasound imaging and Doppler data, adhering to all VA, hospital, and regulatory standards, and supporting diagnostic procedures with high-quality imaging. Qualified candidates may have advanced knowledge, leadership capabilities, and familiarity with echocardiography equipment, Doppler, and stress

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required; non-citizens only per VA policy
• No specific educational requirements for this occupation
• Licensure/certification not required, but highly desirable for GS-6 or above
• English language proficiency required per VA standards
• GS-9 level may require advanced knowledge and leadership KSAs

Responsibilities

• Organize and manage time effectively; exercise independent judgment
• Ensure ethical conduct and accountability; work under variable conditions
• Perform echocardiography procedures and produce diagnostic-quality images and Doppler recordings
• Coordinate appointments and workload; interact with physicians and staff
• Assist with stress testing, TEE probes sterilization, and patient preparation

Skills

Echocardiography

Cardiac imaging

Patient care

Communication

Sterile technique

Education

No specific education requirements

Tools

Echocardiography equipment

ECG machines

CCI/ARDMS certification (desirable)

Job description

Summary

The Echocardiography Technician has advanced knowledge of thoracic anatomy and physiology related to cardiovascular function. They are responsible for adhering to all departmental - service - hospital - agency - and national regulations and policies. They identify and record anomalies indicative of disease - injury or other medically significant condition from ultrasound imaging and simultaneous recordings of the Doppler.

Qualifications

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
• 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 chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a
• 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: Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) GS-9 In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-8 full performance level - positions at this grade may be lead - supervisory - or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and assignments
• 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 (*): 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
• 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 manage and supervise employees
• *5 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
• Preferred Experience: 1 year of completing adult echocardiograms
• Registry preferred
• 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 work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time frequent bending - reaching - stooping - and stretching to set up and take apart equipment and apparatus lifting and repositioning patients and pushing or pulling heavy objects such as oxygen tanks and/or equipment The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average dexterity to perform intricate echocardiography procedures.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Echocardiography Technician must possess the ability to organize and manage time effectively - exercise independent judgment - assume responsibility for their own work/actions - and sometimes work under stressful conditions - remain focused - maintain the ability to prioritize and transition between tasks quickly
• They must possess ethical judgment - integrity - honesty - dependability and accountability
• Technician must be reliable and able to work independently
• The technician is responsible for performing job functions in accordance with the mission - vision - and values of VA EKHCS
• The technician working at this level must assume the functions and responsibilities of lower grade levels
• In addition - the major functions include - but are not limited to: Knowledge and performance of standardized echocardiography concepts :Knowledge and performance of diagnostic cardiac procedures: Ability to produce diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode - two-dimensional - three-dimensional - four-dimensional - pulsed and continuous wave Doppler spectral display - and color flow Doppler imaging
• Ability to perform complex procedures such as cardiac studies of the four chambers of the heart using sector scanning techniques to detect stenotic and incompetent valves - chamber enlargement - and pericardial effusion and cardiovascular studies deriving pressure gradients across obstructed valves - strain technology - pericardiocentesis - etc
• Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations (including noninvasive) transthoracic echocardiography - Bubble studies and contrast echocardiography (invasive) Ability to interact with patients explaining procedures and positioning and prepping the patient for procedure
• Ability to follow policy for sterilization process for TEE probes
• Ability to complete diagnostic studies ordered by and in collaboration with physician on all tours of duty with minimal or no direct supervision
• coordinates appointments/workload per appropriateness of patients/staffing
• Ability to accept verbal orders and record entries into the patient's medical record for the procedure performed
• Ability to prep - apply electrodes - and acquire accurate and high-quality 12-lead Electrocardiograms (ECG) Ability to prep - apply electrodes and acquire long-term high-quality Electrocardiogram monitoring procedures
• Ability to prep - apply electrodes and assist providers throughout treadmill and nuclear stress testing procedures
• Knowledge and performance of echocardiography equipment/software Knowledge and performance of emergency procedures Knowledge and performance of medical records Knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques Work Schedule: Intermittent 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)
• Telework: No Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: Not Authorized