This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. 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 & 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-8 Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS 7) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, & other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. This would be experience which provided the overall knowledge, skills, & abilities to conduct diagnostic echocardiography examinations in complex & unusual cases. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills & Abilities In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to produce diagnostic quality images & Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode, two-dimensional, pulsed & continuous wave Doppler spectral display, & colorflow Doppler imaging. Knowledge of normal echocardiographic findings & deviations produced by a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases. Ability to perform complex procedures such as cardiac studies of the four chambers of the heart & valves using sector scanning techniques to detect stenotic & incompetent valves, chamber enlargement, & pericardia! effusion & cardiovascular studies deriving pressure gradients across obstructed valves, etc. Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations (including noninvasive) transthoracic, Bubble studies & contrast echocardiography, (invasive) stress echocardiography, & transesophageal echocardiography. Ability to adapt transducer positioning, instrument controls, & examination techniques to the individual patient being studied & the problem being evaluated including recognizing pertinent abnormalities & documenting abnormal findings. Assignment. This represents the full performance level. Echocardiography technicians at this level identify and record anomalies indicative of disease, injury, or other medically significant condition from ultrasound imaging and simultaneous recordings of the Doppler. They incorporate the causes and results of a variety of symptoms and conditions into a plan of ultrasonic diagnostic examination. They change and develop sounding techniques to accommodate such variables as limited patient mobility, variation in physical condition or dimension of the patient, presence of prosthesis or foreign objects, and ultrasonic response of different body parts. They produce diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency recordings using M-mode, two-dimensional, and Doppler ultrasound. Preferred Experience. 1-3 years as a sonographer in Cardiac Echocardiograph certification Sonographer certification Accredited sonographer education program References. VAHANDBOOK 5005/15PART IIAPPENDIX G27 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 4 to GS 8. 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. ["***This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2023. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be May 9, 2023. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.*** The Echo Tech is assigned to Cardiology Section and has knowledge of thoracic anatomy and physiology. Performs assigned duties of significant scope, complexity, and variety. Identifies and records anomalies indicative of disease, injury, or other medically significant condition from ultrasound imaging and simultaneous recordings of the Doppler. Incorporates the causes and results of a variety of symptoms and conditions into a plan of ultrasonic diagnostic examination. Changes and develops sounding techniques to accommodate such variables as limited patient mobility, variation in physical condition or dimension of the patients, presence of prosthesis or foreign objects, and ultrasonicresponse of different body parts. Produces diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency recordings using M-mode, two-dimensional, 3-dimensional, and Doppler ultrasound. Performs diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode, 2-D, 3-D, pulsedand continuous wave Doppler spectral display, and color flow Doppler imaging using digital technology. Performs transesophageal echocardiograms, dobutamine and exercise stress, and 3-D echocardiograms. Performs insertion of intra-venous (IV) catheters utilizing ultrasound on all patients that are assessed to need additional. Prepares and attaches patient to stress test equipment (treadmill, recumbent bicycle) and performs stress echocardiograms using digital acquisition and pharmaceutical agent with and without LV cavity opacification agent (Definity). Performs any new scanning techniques that are developed by the manufacturers of the ultrasound machines after a training program is completed- Adapts transducer positioning, instrument controls and examination techniques to the individual patient and to illuminate the problem being evaluated. Receives patients, explains procedure, assists patient in preparation for the procedure with clothing,position, transfer, performs exam. Once procedure completed, cleans the bed and equipment after everypatient with appropriate cleaning wipes.- Assists in restocking of supplies/linens in procedure rooms as needed . Monitors patient's condition during procedures . Triages inpatient procedure requests daily. Ensures that inpatient exams are completed in a timely manner. Accurately documents information in the medical record and any other clinical or administrative applications. Technically knowledgeable in the operation, calibration, and maintenance of the specialized equipment in the echo lab. Completes encounters on all echo's performed, using the correct CPT codes, diagnosis, Service connection status and other field as required and assists management in overall encounter practices in e::ho lab. Participates in Quality Management/Customer Service. Participates in facility conferences, task forces and committees as assigned. Communicates effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels, patients and theirfamilies, and customers from outside facilities. 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. Assists the scheduling clerk in determining appropriateness of consults, triage and priority when needed . Other duties as assigned. Reusable Medical Equipment (RME): Follows hospital policy and Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) SOP on the set up, use, reprocessing and maintenance of all equipment and supplies per manufacturer instructions for use. Completes initial RME competency during orientation and then annual competency validation. Work Schedule: M-F 8:00 AM-4:30 PM Telework: Not-available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 57387A, 57388A, 57389A, 57390A, 57391A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Mykia.Hopkins@va.gov , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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