The Echocardiography Laboratory is assigned to the Nursing Services Department under the direct supervision of the Cardiac Cath Nurse Manager. The Medical Instrument Technician Echocardiography) at this Grade level does basic preliminary report in Xcelera for Echo procedures completed, identify and record anomalies indicative of disease, injury, or other medically significant condition from cardiac ultrasound imaging and simultaneous recordings of the Doppler.

Duties

Major Duties: 1. The Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography)does basic preliminary report In Xcelera for Echo procedures completed. 2. Echo Techs that regularly rotate In Broward (William Kling) Clinic evaluates (Triage) Broward Clinic patients if their Echo is needed to be done at Miami VA for Contrast Echo or Bubble Study. Contrast guidelines may include: CABG1 Obesity, Severe COPD, Severe Aortic Stenosis, Heart Valve Replc1cement, CHF, etc, or suspect PFO/ Stroke for Bubble study. 3. Educate and help train Cardiology fellows and Residents about Echocardiography. Educate them on the transducer location for different Echographic views and the knobology location of the Ultrasound machine. Teach them knobology, optimization for different procedures such as Stress Echo, Contrast, Bubble studies, etc. 4. The Medical Instrument ·Technician (Echocardiography) has the ability to produce diagnostic quality Images and Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode, two0dimenslonal1 (3D) three-dimensional, pulsed and continuous wave Doppler spectral display, and color flow. 5. Perform complex procedures such ·as cardiac studies of the four. 6. chambers of the heart and valves using sector scanning techniques to detect stenotic and Incompetent valves, chamber enlargement, and pericardia I effusion and cardiovascular studies deriving pressure gradients across obstructed valves, etc. 7. The incumbent performing measurements of cardiac structures and Doppler blood flow velocities using the software on the echocardiography machine and image · analysis · · workstation. This Includes but not limited to: 1) Color flow of mitral, aortic, tricuspid and· pulmonic valves. 2) M-Mode, Continuous Wave and Pulsed Wave Doppler tracing and measurements of mitral, aortic, tricuspid and pulmonic valves. 3) Tissue Doppler 4) Strain rate 5) Calculating aortic ·and mitral valve area 7) Cardiac output 8) Computer image processing of digital data 9) Right ventricular Systolic Pressure 10) Right Ventricular strain. 11) Bl-plane (modified Simpson's rule) Imaging 12) Set up patients for Stress Echo. a. Identifying the presence of cardiac vegetation or thrombus 8. For 2D Echo measurement and assessment of left ventricular volume, left atrial volume, and ejection fraction (EF), we use the biplane method of disks (modified Simpson's rule) because of its greater accuracy. 1) 3D image acquisition and calculations (quantify various parameters on 3D datasets, including EF, areas, distances, timing and volumes). 2) Advanced 3D image acquisition and optimization includes Live X-Plane imaging, Illustrate Live 3D, calculate full volume, describe full volume, etc. 9. The incumbent assist Physicians in performing Transesophageal Echocardiogram JTEE), TEE/ Cardioversion, and Pericardiocentesis. 10. The incumbent assists Physicians in performing Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE), TEE/Cardioversion, and Pericardiocentesis. 11. Performs emergency scans on Post cardiac Catheterization patient with suspect Perforations. 12. Ability to perform Treadmill exercise and Pharmacological (Dobutamine) Stress Test. Perform modified Pharmacological (Dobutamine) Stress Test on severe Aortic Stenotic patients which are candidates for Valve Replacement. 13. Independently recognize which patients require the administration of contrast to facilitate the identification of intracardiac masses or thrombus and the assessment of left ventricular function during rest or exercise. 14. Perform Bubble studies and Contrast Echocardiography, independently recognize which patients require the need for performing a Bubble study to determine the presence of an atrial septal defect or Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO). 15. Independently recognize which patient requires immediate treatment for a life-threatening condition such as: intracardiac masses, Large Pericardial Effusion, pulmonary embolism or acute Myocardial Infarction, etc. 16. Recognizes evidence of cardiac emergencies and takes the appropriate action, including notification to the nurse of physician. 17. Ability to adapt transducer positioning, instrument controls and examination techniques to individual patients being studied (ie pre/post CABG, intubated, pre/post Cardiac Catheterization, Heart valve Repair or Replacement, etc.) and the problem being evaluated including recognizing pertinent abnormalities and documenting abnormal findings. 18. Ability to adapt transducer positioning, instrument controls and examination techniques to accommodate such variables as limited patient mobility, variation in physical condition or dimension of the patient being examined in different Intensive Care Units. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday from 7:30AM-4:00PM Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO):Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: a. Citizenship. Citizenship of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) b. 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. c. 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".For all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition. d. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. e. English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. f. Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 Hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation. ***Preferred: Two (2) years recent ECHO LAB Tech Experience in a moderate to high complexity facility. Echocardiography Technicians operate diagnostic equipment to graphically record the position and motion of the heart walls or the internal structure of the heart and neighboring tissue by the echo obtained from beams of ultrasonic waves directed through the chest wall. Registration is offered 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). GS-9 Experience: 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. 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: 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. VA Handbook 5005/15 Part II Appendix 27 ***This position is above the full performance level.***

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 Bruce W Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1201 Northwest 16th Street Miami, FL 33125 US
• Name: Joselyne Figueroa-Cruz
• Phone: 787-600-0438
• Email: [email protected]