This position is in Radiology services at the Providence VA Medical Center, located at the Providence, RI location. It is a Full Time (40 hours/week) position.

Duties

The Medical Instrument Technician (Ultrasound Technologist) at the PVAMC independently performs several complex ultrasound examinations for outpatient, inpatient and emergency room patients in conjunction with Diagnostic Imaging Service (DIS) imaging protocols. All requests will be reviewed by the technician, technologist and/or radiologist as needed to determine appropriateness of the exam as well as protocol modification. Duties include but not limited to: Interacts with veterans, family members, caregivers, providers, and other staff either in person or by phone in the daily duties of Diagnostic Imaging Services. Confirms patient identity by verbally confirming two approved patient identifiers such as patient name and full social security number. Properly identifies patient images. Registers and edits when necessary patients in the computerized Radiology Information System (RIS) as well as the work list management portion of the HISRIS interface (VISTA). Advises radiologists or referring physician of significant abnormalities that would require their immediate attention and visualization while the patient is undergoing examination. Reviews information found in the patient's electronic medical record as needed. Transmits ultrasound images and related required information to the Picture Archive System (PACS) and/ or National Teleradiology Program as needed. Maintains care of equipment by wiping down unit and reporting any equipment damage to their Supervisor Assists more experienced MIT's with non-standard exams and procedures to gain experience that will allow for promotion to the next pay grade. Interacts with radiologists, referring providers, and other medical professionals as needed to discuss ultrasound interpretation results. Performs ultrasound examinations of the abdomen, neck, extremities, retroperitoneal space, pelvis, superficial and limited vascular studies for the purpose of acquiring high quality studies that assist in diagnosis and treatment of disease. Enters technical notes for all exams per requirements of the DIS Service Chief. Participates in training of Community College of Rhode Island students and. Department of Defense technologists so that these individuals may acquire an understanding of the principles of ultrasound technology and how it relates to other diagnostic exams. Work Schedule: Full time; Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible:Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F03682, F05526, F05527, F1478, F04166 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Notifications: Veterans' preference does not apply for internal agency employees. Applicants must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. This position is a LIUNA Bargaining Unit position. This position is covered by a special rate (GS-6/7/8). This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay (GS-4/5). Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. This position is in the Excepted Service. Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement.

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: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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. 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-4 Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. Six months of this experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant, practical nursing, or similar fields. The remaining six months must have been in operating diagnostic and therapeutic equipment covered by this occupation. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited at this level. OR, Education. Successful completion of two years of education above high school or an associate's degree with a major field of study directly related to the medical instrument technician occupation. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of basic medical terminology. Ability to learn the components, operating characteristics, and settings of the equipment to be used. Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress. Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted. Ability to communicate orally and in writing. GS-5 Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-04) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. This would be experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization for which application is made or in related functional areas. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level. OR, Education. Successful completion of [4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, or] a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions. Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment. Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities. Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures. Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine. GS-06 Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-05) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy in order to receive and interpret physician requests for routine, standardized ultrasonography procedures. Knowledge of tissue harmonics and soundwave propagation within the body to adjust TGC (Time Gain Compensation) for optimal image quality. Knowledge of the physics of velocity, frequency of soundwaves, and their physical properties. Ability to set up and adjust the ultrasound equipment to meet the conditions of the examination and the patient and to operate the equipment for standardized, routine procedures. Ability to interact with patients explaining procedures and positioning the patient for the procedure. Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable. GS-7 Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-06) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. This would be experience which provided the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to independently conduct difficult but standardized diagnostic ultrasonography examinations. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to set up and adjust the ultrasound equipment to meet the conditions of the examination and the patient and to operate the equipment for more complex, but standardized procedures. Knowledge of zoom, expansion, prospectus, color Doppler, and pulsed echo Doppler. Knowledge of the digital transmission of images. Ability to alter standard, but complex procedures and protocols to meet patient needs and physical limitations. Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable. GS-8 Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-07) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. This would be experience which provided the overall knowledge, skills, and abilities to conduct diagnostic ultrasound examinations in complex and unusual cases. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. Ability to perform vascular studies such as vertebral, renal artery, aortic aneurysm, portal- systemic shunts, etc. Ability to assist radiologists with biopsy procedures determining the location, depth, and required needle angle for the lesion to be sampled. Ability to assist in surgical procedures and fluid aspirations. Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable. Preferred Experience: 3+ years of experience. Reference: VA HANDBOOK 5005/54 PART II APPENDIX G27 The full performance level of this vacancy is 8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 4 to 8. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (45 pounds and over); Light carrying (15 pounds), Straight pulling (1 hour), Reaching above shoulder, use of fingers; both hands required; walking (3.5 hours) standing (6.5 hours); Repeated bending (6.5 hour), both legs required; Ability to rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Near vision correctable to 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid may be permitted) mental and emotional stability.

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 VA Providence Healthcare System 830 Chalkstone Avenue Providence, RI 02908 US
• Name: Courtney Kreshak
• Phone: 4012737100
• Email: [email protected]