The Lead MIT echo cardiac sonographer has the overall responsibility for the coordination and performance of all the echo labs within NF/SG VHS. Incumbent works closely with the technologists, cardiology supervisor, cardiologists, clinicians, and clerical staff to assure optimum quality control, efficient coordination of activities, high quality diagnostic/therapeutic exam results, and patient satisfaction. Works under the general direction of Supervisor of the Echo lab.

Duties

The Lead is a registered ultrasound technician who has current certification from the Registry of Diagnostic Cardiac Sonography (RDCS) or Registered Cardiac sonographer (RCS). On most assignments, technologist works independently. On the more unusual and complex assignments, works closely and confers with cardiologists and medical officers on special techniques. Work is evaluated on a spot-check basis for achievement of objectives. Duties to include: Develops and maintains an on-call schedule for MIT echo technicians. Determines staffing requirements based on past, present and future workload patterns and develops the weekly/monthly schedules. Organizes staff work assignments, including lunch and break rotations. Reports absences and tardiness to the Supervisor. Coordinates leave requests (i.e. vacation schedules) to maintain optimal staffing levels and provides recommendations to Supervisor for decisions regarding leave requests. Assures that all procedure rooms are always stocked with necessary supplies, with special attention to emergent equipment and supplies. Routinely checks for and removes outdated/expired items before the expiration date. Coordinates new product evaluations. Recommends methods and products to reduce costs and/or increase quality. Trains new and established technologists. Maintains own competencies at the "mastery level." Develops, coordinates, and maintains formal orientation, training, and evaluation programs. Reviews new developments in the field and recommends to supervisor those that would improve the operation of the section. Recommends, coordinates and evaluates new or modified procedures/protocols. Works closely with the Supervisor to evaluate candidates for employment, promotion, assessment of competency, disciplinary action, etc. Provides recommendations for scheduling exams in a manner so as to optimize section productivity and reduce wait times while maintaining flexibility for emergency cases. Assists scheduling staff in prioritizing and maintaining scheduled patients as well as to accommodate emergency patients on a daily basis. Gathers related information such as patient labs (from CPRS), x-rays, etc., so that correlation of exams with previously obtained studies may be made by the cardiologist during interpretation of images for the purpose of diagnosis and recommendation for treatment of patient's possible medical disorders. Coordinates the repair of ultrasound equipment. Assures that preventive maintenance and any required QA is completed in a timely manner. Serves as a liaison between Cardiology and Biomedical Engineering and repair contractors. Tracks and maintains records of repair histories and vendor performance. Performs a full range of ultrasound procedures including special complicated examinations for which there may not be standard instructions or procedures. Technologist may be asked to perform independent portable ultrasound examinations in the intensive care units, emergency room, spinal cord injury unit, surgery department, and throughout the Medical Center. Performs ultrasound examinations at the mastery level. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday from 7:00AM-3:30PM 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. c. Licensure or Certification. Registration 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) is highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable. 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. 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. GS-9 Experience: In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-8 full performance level at least 1 year experience comparable to the next lower grade level GS-8, 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 Malcom Randall Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1601 Southwest Archer Road Gainesville, FL 32608 US
• Name: Rachyl Plasterer
• Phone: (717) 821-5687
• Email: [email protected]