This registered Medical Instrument Technologist, Ultrasound, performs general and limited vascular ultrasound procedures in radiology, the operative suites & at bedside throughout the VA Health Care System, Lexington, Kentucky. Evaluates critical & emergency procedures and rearranges schedule to accommodate the situation. The purpose of these exams is to evaluate & diagnose patients with suspected pathology and provide continuity of follow-up, and in some cases, carry out appropriate treatment.

Duties

This specialty modality uses high frequency sound waves and other diagnostic techniques for medical purposes. The technologist must be competent in the production, use, recognition, and analysis of ultrasound images and patterns used for patient diagnosis and treatment. The sonographer is regarded as the expert source and the interpreting radiologist relies heavily on the skills, knowledge, and abilities of the sonographers in providing a final interpretation. The technologist requires knowledge of image acquisition in ultrasound and Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) and is able to carry out his/her assignment independently. Duties or Functions of this position include but are not limited to: Performs, in a hospital setting all ultrasound examinations ranging from the routine to the highly specialized. Performance of the examination requires proper alignment and position of the patient. Sets up and adjusts all equipment and manually maneuvers the transducer to perform the exam. Performs ultrasound examinations of the abdomen, neck, chest, extremities, retroperitoneal space, vascular doppler of testicles for purpose of acquiring high quality examinations that assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patient medical disorders. Knows and understand the principles of ultrasound and the highly specialized ultrasound and radiology equipment to approve the acceptability or rejectability of each scan. This includes: preparation and supplies, scanning motions, Time Compensated Gain (TCG), zoom or expansion, hard copy, picture oriented examination, organ-oriented examination and initial interpretation of the examination. Technologist notes of the examination require identifying normal and pathological appearances. Pathologic appearance includes, but is not limited to: intraluminal echoes that shadow, polyp, carcinoma, thick wall, size, obstructing lesions, common duct stone, tumor, benign strictures, texture, solid mass, cystic mass. Technologist notes will be forwarded by the Ultrasound Technologist to the Radiologist before final interpretation is made. Receives and identifies patients using two (2) patient identifiers, explains methods of procedures, assists movement of patients to and from wheelchair, table, positions the patient and performs examinations as requested. Evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures and rearranges priorities to accommodate them. Provides care to the patients undergoing diagnostic and surgical procedures to allay anxieties, answering questions, familiarizing with the procedures and equipment to be used. Retrieves historical data from the patient and acquires and stores diagnostic data. Instructs patients and family members in preparation for procedures and performance of post-diagnostic or postoperative care. The technologist interprets the requests or instructions from the radiologist or clinician. Receives assignments for a variety of difficult examinations and works independently. Follows departmental Policy and Procedure Manual. Supervision is for administrative, and the employee must contact the radiologist or Supervisor to clarify difficult situations. The technologist understands and carries out the requests made by providers or seeks assistance of the radiologists or Supervisor when an uncommon, unique, or new procedure is required. Enters specific patient data into a computer and retrieves patient information from the computer to complete the statistical input. Registering the patients into the VistA and the CPRS, technically dispositioning the procedure and transfers the medical and radiology records to the proper location. Work Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9:00 am to 7:30 pm with call rotation for after hours, weekends and holidays Compressed/Flexible:Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 30219-F 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. 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. Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) is highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable. 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: Diagnostic Ultrasound Technicians operate diagnostic ultrasonic scanning equipment to produce cross sectional and two dimensional pictures of internal organs and body structures used to diagnose diseases and other medical conditions. Registration is offered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS). 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 specialized experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of diagnostic ultrasonography services. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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 diagnostic ultrasonography. * Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. Preferred Experience: Prior Ultrasound Experience, Registered by the ARDMS in Abdominal Ultrasound References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-27, and Appendix C to Appendix G-27 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-9. Physical Requirements: Position is primarily Sedentary, however direct patient care within the incumbent's qualifications could be required to support the needs of the service. To perform in a fully successful manner, the individual must have the physical ability to perform job-related duties which require lifting, standing, bending, transferring, stooping, stretching, walking, pushing, or pulling without assistance from another patient care provider or significant others.

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 Lexington VA Health Care System 2250 Leestown Road Lexington, KY 40511 US
• Name: David Wiseman
• Phone: (614) 935-3242
• Email: [email protected]