The Fayetteville NC Coastal VA Heath Care System has an immediate opening for one (1) Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound) to work within the Imaging Service.

Duties

The Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound) performs a wide variety of complex ultrasound (US) imaging examinations for Fayetteville and Wilmington VAMC patients to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and injury. Operates diagnostic ultrasonic scanning equipment to produce cross sectional and two dimensional pictures of internal organs and body structures to include abdomen, breast, small parts, retroperitoneal, transvaginal, carotid and venous vascular exams. These images will be used to diagnose disease and other medical conditions. Both B-mode and real time scans will be obtained to evaluate size, contour, and tissue composition on the basis of sound transmission characteristics. Functions: Receives and reviews requests from physicians and other health care providers for US examinations of patients. Determines the condition(s) at issue and the best way to meet the needs of the individual case. Receives and positions patient for examination. Explains procedures and actions to allay fears and secure maximum cooperation. Sets up, adjusts and operates sonography equipment. Selects the appropriate protocol(s), and conducts examination, adjusting technique and equipment to best present the medically significant aspects found. Incumbent will perform US exams to include, but not limited to: AAA screen, abdomen, aorta, bladder, breast, carotid, deep venous thrombosis (DVT), gallbladder, kidney, liver, pelvis, scrotum, spleen, thyroid, venous Doppler, renal and liver biopsy exams. If unanticipated conditions or anomalies are discovered, extends and modifies procedure to ensure full and accurate information as to findings and patient condition. Monitors patient condition during examination and, if necessary, renders emergency aid and summons assistance. Assists radiologist or physician in evaluating results. Trains other personnel in US principles, procedures, capabilities, techniques, and equipment. Explains concepts and principles of the methodology and its use and limitations as a diagnostic tool. Develops ultrasound imaging training plans for incorporation in other programs of instruction. Conducts hands-on training and technical oversight of other technologists. Develops or adapts and documents new or changed procedures to accommodate equipment changes or new techniques in ultrasound imaging. Possesses the willingness and ability to train in the performance of different radiographic modalities and various other departmental procedures. Performs operator level maintenance and care of equipment. Assists in calibration and troubleshooting of malfunctions of all equipment associated with the US unit. Identifies need for and initiates action to obtain higher-level support. Prepares and replaces imaging material (film packs). Establishes and monitors quality control program. Establishes and maintains a variety of files and records relating to ultrasound activities and functions. Prepares reports of examinations, equipment status and utilization, workload, supply status and consumption, and related matters. Assures migration of images from the US unit to the Picture Archiving Communication System (PACS) is correct and complete. ALL OTHER DUTIES ASSIGNED. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; Hours 8:00a - 4:30 p.m. 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. 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". 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. 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). Preferred Experience: American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS), Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS), and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications is HIGHLY PREFERRED. Creditable Experience - Knowledge of Current Medical Instrument Technician Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics associated with current Medical Instrument Technician practice appropriate to the identified specialty area.[Specialized developmental experience obtained under supervision of appropriately certified individuals maybe credited at higher levels and is addressed in individual appendices.] Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is equivalent to at least the next lower grade level and is directly related to the position/specialty to be filled. Part-time Experience. Part time experience is credited according to its relationship to a full time workweek. For example, an individual employed 20 hours per week, or on a ½ time basis would receive one workweek credit for each two weeks of service. Fellowships. N/A Internships. N/A Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the criteria discussed in the applicable headings, or that defined in the appendices, must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Education/Training. To be creditable education must have been gained in an accredited Community College, College, or University. [(1) Training.] Completion of appropriate training such as in-service training programs, on the job training, training acquired while in the Armed Forces, government sponsored developmental training programs, and/or training under physicians certified in the functional area will be allowed on a month-for-month basis through the GS-5 level. [(2)] Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. THIS GRADE LEVEL IS ABOVE THE FULL PERFORMANCE LEVEL. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. GS-9 Grade Requirement 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. 1. Ability to perform diagnostic ultrasound examination on multiple areas of the body, including, but not limited to, the abdomen, pelvis, transvaginal, chest, small parts, thyroid, breast, and scrotum. 2. Ability to perform vascular studies such as vertebral, renal artery, aortic aneurysm, portal-systemic shunts, etc. 3. Ability to assist radiologists with biopsy procedures determining the location, depth, and required needle angle for the lesion to be sampled. 4. Ability to assist in surgical procedures and fluid aspirations. 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 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. *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. Certification. 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/54 PART II APPENDIX G27 MEDICAL INSTRUMENT TECHNICIAN THIS GRADE LEVEL IS ABOVE THE FULL PERFORMANCE LEVEL. Physical Requirements: The work requires standing or walking for a major portion of the work day. The walking will often require carrying supplies or pushing carts and equipment. Standing will require holding patients or stocking supplies. This may occupy half of the work day and will hence be considered demanding physical activity. A certain mechanical dexterity is required in the replacement of parts and the repair of equipment to restore or maintain operability after faults are identified. Performance of duties will require a great amount of repetitive motion during the performance of the procedure.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Fayetteville NC VA Medical Center 2300 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28301 US
• Name: Elizabeth Johnson
• Phone: 828-298-7911 X5322
• Email: [email protected]