The incumbent works in the Cardiology Section of Medicine Service at the NMVAHCS. The Medical Instrument Technician-Echocardiography operates 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.

Duties

Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Advanced knowledge of complex and non-standard treatment and exam procedures and techniques. Use independent judgment in applying knowledge of clinical cardiology and ultrasound, and Doppler principles. Use problem-solving skills to optimize the evaluation and adjust the exam to ensure that it is comprehensive and accurate. Records and does preliminary interpretation of the exam and presents information and or possible diagnosis to the interpreting physician. Performs real-time 3D, 2D, M-Mode, continuous and pulse wave, color, and tissue Doppler exams. Performs transthoracic examinations and stress echocardiograms with and without pharmaceuticals. Includes 3D imaging in all studies with the exception of studies lacking appropriate image quality to obtain suitable data. Notifies the Attending physician with preliminary echocardiograph results that may need immediate interpretation and intervention. Receives patients, explains the procedure, and performs the appropriate complete exam. Sets, calibrates, and operates the ultrasound equipment. Performs routine maintenance on all Echo Lab equipment at intervals recommended by the manufacturer. Shares responsibility for coordinating emergency and preventive maintenance of the lab equipment. Maintains cleanliness of the work environment between studies and at the end of the workday. Provides training for Cardiology Fellows in performing studies and preliminary interpretation of echo exams. Incumbent Teaches echo-Doppler principles and procedures, theory of operations and theory of interpretation of results to trainee echocardiographic technicians, nursing students, nurses, medical students, residents, and fellows (especially cardiology fellows). Responds to emergency requests for echo-Doppler studies within 30 minutes during normal working hours. Checks the appropriateness of such emergency requests with a cardiology fellow or cardiology attending. Maintains skills in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and actively assists in CPR should the need arise. Attends regional and national professional meetings at the request or approval of the Echocardiography Lab Medical Director and/or Cardiology Nurse Manager to keep current on new technical and practical developments in the echo-Doppler field. Evaluates new products and equipment and makes recommendations concerning developments which would improve operations in the Echo Lab. Start intravenous access on patients and perform saline contrast studies and cavity enhancing contrast studies with the assistance of the cardiology nurse or fellow upon request/order by a physician. Assist the physicians involved in performing transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) examinations. Assist with monitoring the patient during a TEE study by monitoring patient's blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm, and O2 saturation. Performs suctioning of the patient if necessary. Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements and actively participates in maintaining compliance or initiating new protocols to meet TJC requirements. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at all levels within the NMVAHCS. Consistently courteous, respectful, and cooperative attitude and will effectively work within the cardiology team to implement the organization's mission and goals. Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm Monday through Friday Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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 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. 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. English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d). 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: Specialized Experience. 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: 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. Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. 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. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/54 Part II Appendix G27 Medical Instrument Technician dated June 7, 2012. Physical Requirements: The tasks of this position generally require sitting, standing, and occasional crouching or kneeling. Moderate lifting is required to move equipment throughout the department and facility. Considerable manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination are required. This includes continuous observation of a computer screen.

Education

There is no Education Substitution for this position.

Contacts

• Address Raymond G Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1501 San Pedro Drive, Southeast Albuquerque, NM 87108 US
• Name: Monaliza Seppala
• Phone: 505-265-1711 X2246
• Email: [email protected]