The incumbent works in the Cardiology Section of the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System. Echocardiograph/Vascular Medical Instrument Technicians (Echo/Vascular MITs) at this level identify and record anomalies indicative of disease, injury, or other medically significant condition from ultrasound imaging and simultaneous recordings of the Doppler.

Duties

Major duties for the position include (but are not limited to): Identify and record anomalies indicative of disease, injury, or other medically significant condition from ultrasound imaging and simultaneous recordings of the Doppler. Incorporate the causes and results of a variety of symptoms and conditions into a plan of ultrasonic diagnostic examination. Change and develop sounding techniques to accommodate such variables as limited patient mobility, variation in physical condition or dimension of the patient, presence of prosthesis or foreign objects, and ultrasonic response of different body parts. Produce diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency recordings using M-mode, two-dimensional, three-dimensional and Doppler ultrasound. Instantaneously differentiate normal echocardiographic findings from those produced by numerous pathologic states or by technical or instrument related artifacts, and to appropriately correct for artifacts or further evaluate the findings depending on the particular situation Provides training to cardiology fellows. Perform vascular lab studies with an advanced experience level and functions as nonsupervisory level technician with advanced assignments. Responsible for performing non-invasive physiologic testing and carotid, bypass graft, and venous duplex imaging in patients with suspected vascular problems. Facilitates an integrated approach, which involves the representation of the service in administrative and clinical capacities. Interdisciplinary collaboration with other health care professionals and medical centers providing care to veterans is expected. Answers phones and appropriately responds to requests for information. Ensures clerk text orders and consults for procedures in Cardiology are reviewed timely and all patient appointments are scheduled appropriately, following all scheduling directives, guidelines, goals and requirements. Performs stress echocardiograms with and without pharmaceuticals, Dobutamine Stress Echos. Performs transthoracic examinations. conducts time studies with electrocardiocorder (Holter) and scans for the presence of a variety of arrhythmias on the electrocardioscanner. Responsible for attaching the Holter electrodes to the patient and removing them at the end of study Responsible for operating the EKG machine to perform EKGs independently and in coordination with treadmill equipment and cardioscope monitor to evaluate patient's capacity for exercise tolerance in coordination with increasing physical stress. Incumbent assures patient's condition, vital signs, and other diagnostic information is recorded in accordance with established practices. Performs 2D, 3D, M-Mode, continuous and pulse wave Doppler and color flow exam. Informs physician of results of exam. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 3:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 - Medical Instrument Technician (Vascular) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Education and/or Experience Combination: 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. GS-9 Grade Determination: 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 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 experience which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities to fully perform all vascular ultrasound tests and examinations and to function as a technical director of the vascular laboratory and provide oversight and/or guidance to other technicians. 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. 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 vascular ultrasonography. *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. **Examples of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-8)include: Knowledge of cross-sectional and longitudinal vascular anatomy in normal and abnormal vessels, anatomical planes and tissue structures, physiologic effects of disease entities that impact the vascular system, signs and symptoms of acute and chronic vascular disease, and the characteristic appearance of aneurysms, pseudoaneurysms, thromboses, stenoses, occlusions, AV fistulae, and morphology of atherosclerotic plaque formulation; providing Doppler information of peripheral vessels; demonstrating characteristic differences related to the organs they supply; quantifying carotid artery stenoses; identifying and correlating specific waveform analysis, plethysmographic tracings, velocity changes, and pressure gradients characteristic of normal, obstructed, or occluded vessels or grafts; performing intracranial (transcranial) vascular examinations; operating instruments to extract the highest quality image utilizing the appropriate transducer frequency, Doppler angle, focal zones, gain, depth, color map, wall filter, and sample volume; providing objective data to document progression or regression of disease. Note: EXPERIENCE MUST BE DEMONSTRATED THROUGOUT YOUR RESUME. Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable. Preferred Experience: Skills in either vascular ultrasound (carotid duplex, upper and lower extremity venous and arteria duplex, abdominal aorta duplex, ABI) and electrocardiography (including transesophageal echocardiography, transthoracic echocardiography, stress echocardiography); preferred possession of certification as registered cardiac sonographer or registered vascular sonographer: possession of ALS and BLS certification; prior experience as technician. References: VA Handbook 5005/15 Part II Appendix G27 Medical Instrument Technician Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is 9. Physical Requirements: Daily intermittent walking, standing, bending, stooping, reaching, and carrying of lightweight items required. Rigid deadlines and need for high degree of accuracy periodically becomes stressful.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address New Orleans VA Medical Center 2400 Canal Street New Orleans, LA 70119 US
• Name: Ambera Oyoo
• Phone: 317-435-2270
• Email: [email protected]