This position is located in the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System (VATVCBHCS), Cardiology Section, Medicine Service. Most of the work takes place at one facility in VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Healthcare System (VCB), but some travel may be required to meet the needs at various sites. This position will provide cardiovascular ultrasound imaging.

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. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in written and spoken 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). Grade Determinations: GS-9. 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. The KSA's at the GS-8 Level are: (1) Ability to produce diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode, two-dimensional, pulsed and continuous wave Doppler spectral display, and colorflow Doppler imaging. (2) Knowledge of normal echocardiographic findings and deviations produced by a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases. (3) Ability to perform complex procedures such as cardiac studies of the four chambers of the heart and valves using sector scanning techniques to detect stenotic and incompetent valves, chamber enlargement, and pericardial effusion and cardiovascular studies deriving pressure gradients across obstructed valves, etc. (4) Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations (including noninvasive) transthoracic, Bubble studies and contrast echocardiography, (invasive) stress echocardiography, and transesophageal echocardiography. (5) Ability to adapt transducer positioning, instrument controls, and examination techniques to the individual patient being studied and the problem being evaluated including recognizing pertinent abnormalities and documenting abnormal findings. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs 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 Echocardiography. (2) Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements. (3) Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. Preferred experience: Experience performing diagnostic doppler, 2D, and M-Mode Echocardiograms Experience coordinating patient scheduling, including transportation to and from Echo lab Ability to identify emergent findings and or notation of the appropriate Provider or cardiologist Experience maintaining equipment, making adjustments and calibration as needed References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II, App G27 (Part D), Dated 3/17/2006 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: Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 lbs., Light carrying, under 15 lbs, Straight pulling, pulling hand over hand, pushing, kneeling (1 hr), Walking, standing (3 hrs), repeated beding (2 hrs), far vision, correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, depth perception, Ability to distinguish colors and shades of colors, Hearing, aid permitted

Education

There is no educational substitution for the experience required for this position.

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.

Duties Continued:

• Transfers digital images correctly to cardiologist reading workstations.
• Coordinates scheduling of patients, including transportation to and from Echo lab. Test results are dependent on physical and mental state of patient. It is imperative to develop a rapport with patient when explaining nature and reason for test.
• Brings to the attention of the cardiologist any emergent findings and for notification of the patient's physician of important abnormal and life-threatening findings, which may affect management of patient care.
• Coordinates and attends formal reading sessions with cardiologists, at which time any unusual findings observed during test and/or any technical difficulties experienced by sonographer can be discussed. Prior to this, the sonographer is responsible for the preliminary interpretation of the test, including all information and conclusion, i.e. measurements for M-Mode, Doppler tracings calculation valve areas. These initial interpretations are added to and finalized by the appropriate cardiologist. Attending reading sessions enables sonographer to continually improve diagnostic skills.
• Responds to emergency requests involving performance of test in echo lab or at bedside when impossible to transport patient. Responsible for moving equipment and performing test under difficult conditions encountered at bedside i.e. physically demanding positions, and lack of space.
• Directly responsible for demonstration and instruction in obtaining echocardiograms, including machine maintenance.
• Maintains equipment, making adjustments and calibrations as needed. Coordinates any necessary emergency repairs as well preventative maintenance with either the responsible company or in-house Biomedical Engineers.
• Must maintain an inventory of patient, equipment and clerical supplies for the laboratory, ordering supplies as needed to maintain a smooth operation with little or no loss of work time.
• Responsible for researching new equipment when possible purchase of replacement and/or additional equipment is needed.
• Responsible for keeping abreast of ever-changing and evolving technologies. Attend in-service and conferences, maintaining mandatory C.E.s for echo registry.
• Asked to participate in ongoing research studies involving cardiac ultrasound. This requires ability to obtain research quality echocardiograms without investigating physicians always being present. Maintains CPR certification.

Contacts

• Address VA TX Valley Coastal Bend HCS 2601 Veterans Drive Harlingen, TX 78550 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]