The Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) position is located at the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System in Honolulu, HI. He/she has the overall responsibility for the coordination and performance of the Echocardiography areas. He/she performs the comprehensive and high quality transthoracic and stress echos.

Duties

The Specialty Care clinics are the access point for referral specialty care at the VAPIHCS. The Specialty Care clinics serve the eligible adult and geriatric Veteran population through a variety of specialized outpatient clinic settings, including Audiology, Cardiology, Dermatology, Endocrine and Diabetes Management, Gastroenterology and HCV, Hematology, Infectious Disease, Interventional Pain, Neurology, Nephrology, Nutrition, Podiatry, Pulmonary, Optometry and Low Vision, Orthopedic, Rheumatology, and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The Veterans Affairs Pacific Island Health Care System (VAPIHCS) is a Level 3 facility and ranks among a complex system in the VA serving the Sierra Pacific Network (VISN 21). The VAPIHCS offers a full range of comprehensive health care services including Dentistry, Geriatrics & Extended Care, Imaging, Medicine Services, Mental Health Services, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Service, Primary Care, Radiation Oncology, Rehabilitation Services, and Specialty Services. The VAPIHCS offers several special medical programs that include Home Health Services, Homeless Veteran Services, Pharmacy Specialized Services, Rurality, Spinal Cord Injury, TeleHealth, and Women's Health Centers. The VAPIHCS operates eight community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) covering seven county areas. These outpatient clinics are located in the American Samoa, Guam, Saipan, Hilo, Kauai, Kona, Leeward Oahu, Maui and Windward Oahu. This position is located in the VA Spark M. Matsunaga Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii in the Cardiology Section of the Specialty Care Service. Functions or Scope of Assigned duties: - The incumbent will have the ability to perform diagnostic cardiac ultrasound: the employee will use M-mode and two-dimensional ultrasound to image the pericardium, cardiac walls, chambers, septum, and valves. - The incumbent will have knowledge of the physics of ultrasound and of the technology behind the echocardiographic instrumentation. - The incumbent will have knowledge of cardiac anatomy and pathophysiology, and knowledge of the limitations imposed by the physics and the equipment. - The incumbent will have knowledge of cardiac cross-sectional anatomy to be able to identify intracardiac structures in order to select the correct transducer and gain settings to minimize artifact on acquisition, in addition to recognizing subtle equipment malfunctions. - The incumbent will use Doppler ultrasound to identify and characterize intracardiac blood flow patterns in performing diagnostic cardiac ultrasound and stress echos. May perform contrast diagnostic ultrasound, bubble studies, and pharmacological stress echocardiography in the future. - The incumbent will be proficient in operating a diagnostic ultrasound machine to perform a complete echocardiogram study by obtaining and recording two and three-dimensional ultrasound pictures, m-mode, pulsed, continuous wave and color Doppler, and Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). The incumbent will follow the standard format developed by the American Society of Echocardiography. - The incumbent will be responsible for specific measurements and calculations that will be included in the echocardiogram test report (e.g. stenotic valve area, pressure gradient). The incumbent will be under minimal to no supervision. - The incumbent must have knowledge of the more complex examination, treatment procedures, and techniques which include transthoracic echo with bubble study, and contrast transthoracic echo studies. - The incumbent will be responsible for setting up, performing, and analyzing data for stress echos. The incumbent will keep abreast of technical developments and evolving applications in the field of echocardiography. May perform pharmacological stress, contrast echos, and assist with transesophageal echo studies in the future. - The incumbent will possess the knowledge of cardiovascular response to incremental increased exercise, cardiac arrhythmias induced by exercise, and indications for the cessation of exercise testing due to life-threatening symptoms, cardiac arrhythmias or blood pressure changes. - The incumbent will be responsible for training cardiology fellows, students, and other technicians in echocardiographic techniques so that individuals may acquire an understanding of the principles of ultrasound, and be able to obtain standard views, and be able to understand echocardiographic interpretation. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 0730-1600, may include Saturdays Telework: Not eligible for Telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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". 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: 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.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 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G27 Appendix D The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; light lifting, under 15 pounds; light carrying, under 15 pounds; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; standing (4 hours); both legs required; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted); disinfecting wipes; hand sanitizer. Travel throughout Pacific Rim Environmental Factors: Dust, working closely with others, and working alone

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 Spark M Matsunaga Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 459 Patterson Road Honolulu, HI 96819 US
• Name: Lizbeth Torres
• Phone: (415) 221-4810 X24760
• Email: [email protected]