The Supervisory Echocardiography Technician (Supervisory ECHO Tech) performs administrative functions, quality control, teaches and supervises work of Staff Technicians for the echocardiography laboratory; evaluates the cost and benefits of adding additional staff to the echocardiography laboratory; provides a description of work to other members of the echocardiography lab including those at other VA facilities within the Health Care System.

Duties

Practice: - Plan work to be accomplished by subordinate sonographers, set and adjust short-term priorities, and prepare schedules for completion of work. - Assign work to subordinate sonographers based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employees. - Evaluate work performance of subordinates sonographers. - Give advice, counsel, or instruction to other sonographers on both work and administrative matters. - Interview candidates for positions in the unit; recommend appointment, promotion, or reassignment to such positions. - Hears and resolve complaints from employees, referring group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to a higher level supervisor or manager. - Effect minor disciplinary measures, such as warnings and reprimands, recommending other action in more serious cases. - Identify developmental and training needs of sonographers, providing or arranging for needed development and training. - Find ways to decrease wait times and increase the quality of the work conducted by the echocardiography lab. - Develop performance standards for the sonographers in the echocardiography laboratory. - Performs diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode, 2-D, pulsed and continuous wave Doppler spectral display and color flow Doppler imaging. - Performs complex procedures such as cardiac studies of the 4 chambers of the heart and valves using sector scanning techniques to detect stenotic and incompetent valves, chamber enlargement, and pericardia! effusion, thrombus and pressure gradients across obstructed valves. - Performs transesophageal echocardiograms dobutamine and exercise stress and 3D echocardiograms. - Adapts transducer positioning, instrument controls and examination techniques to the individual patient and to the problem to be evaluated. - Monitors patient's condition during procedures. - Triages inpatient procedure requests on a daily basis. Ensures that inpatient exams are completed in a timely manner. - Accurately documents information in the medical record and any other clinical or administrative applications. - Technical expert in the operation, calibration and maintenance of the specialized equipment in the ECHO iab. - Performs digital image management and acts as Super User for imaging storage system. - Assists billing and coding with interpretation of exams and follow-up on outstanding billing and coding issues. - Completes encounters on all ECHOs performed, using the correct CPT codes, diagnosis, Service connection status and other field as required and assists management in overall encounter practices in ECHO laboratory. - Quality Management/Customer Service - Performs quality assurance reviews on ECHO equipment and processes. - Participates in facility conferences, task forces and committees as assigned. - Communicates effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels, patients and their families, and customers from outside facilities. Training: - Precepts new staff and cardiology trainees in their development of echocardiography imaging skills. - Serves as a consultant to other health care professionals related to ECHO procedures. - Develops, coordinates or presents educational programs toward improving productivity, patient outcomes and treatment modalities as needed and assigned. - Teaching including teaching presentations Other Duties: - Performs dys-synchrony evaluations and assist in the timing delays for BiVentricular Pacing. - In cooperation with management and the Cardiologists, analyzes and prioritizes equipment needs for the echocardiography laboratory. - Assists in the development of new policies and procedures that pertain to the echocardiography laboratory. Coordinates with institutions, education and Human Resources for the placement of interns to the echocardiography laboratory. - Assists the scheduling clerk in determining appropriateness of consults, triage and priority when needed. Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 0800-1630 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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. EnglishLanguage Proficiency.Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken & written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Education. There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation. Education may be substituted for experience only at the GS-4 & 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, & 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 & Certification/Registrations". Grade Determinations: GS-10. In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-9 level, positions at this grade may be 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. 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. 1. Knowledge of the more complex procedures and techniques in the practice of anesthesiology such as extracorporeal blood salvage, washing and return to patient (also known as autotransfusion or cell saving) and arterial and/or venous cannulation for the establishment of arterial pressure monitoring or intravenous fluid/medication delivery. *2. Ability to plan and assist in the establishment of a completely integrated treatment and procedure program. *3. Ability to evaluate new products and equipment and make recommendations concerning developments which would improve operations. *4. Ability to manage the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (which would include fund controls, contracts and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs and administer the allocated budget. *5. Knowledge of and ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluation; selection of staff; and recommendation of awards, advancements and, when appropriate, disciplinary actions. Certification. Anesthesia technician certification through the American Society of Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians (ASATT) is highly desired. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level. Participation in recognized professional organizations as a Board examiner, in the development of curricula for training, or testing for the Board is evidence of competence. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G27 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10. Physical Requirements: Able to meet the physical demands of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing duties of this job the Echocardiography Technician is frequently required to stand, walk, and bend and reach. Must be able to lift and/or move over 50 pounds. They must have good manual dexterity and keyboarding skills. Must be able to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word. Must be able to view and read information on computer screens.

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 Palo Alto VA Medical Center 3801 Miranda Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94304 US
• Name: Timothy McBrian
• Email: [email protected]