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Duties

Duties performed include but are not limited to the following:

Identifies and record anomalies of the heart indicative of disease, injury, or other medically significant conditions from ultrasound imaging and simultaneous recordings of the Doppler;
Incorporate the causes and results of a variety of symptoms and conditions into a plan of ultrasonic diagnostic examination;
Change and develop sounding techniques to accommodate such variables as limited patient mobility, variation in physical condition or dimension of the patient presence of prosthetics or foreign objects, and ultrasonic response of different body parts;
Produce diagnostic quality images and doppler and Doppler frequency recordings using M-mode, two-dimensional, and Doppler ultrasound;
Provides training and supervision of complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques;
Assists in performing Treadmill stress tests when available;
Assists with immediate patient management in cases of emergent echocardiographic findings;
Assists with immediate patient management in cardiology clinic when required per local site policies;
Teaches basic techniques to cardiology residents, fellows, and students assigned to the laboratory;
Performs preventive maintenance of the equipment and coordinates service with biomedical engineering including help with researching/obtaining quotes for parts/services needed.
Assists in writing Policies, Procedures and Protocol development.
Assists in performance of stress echocardiograms.
Assists in performance of contrast echocardiograms- Agitated sterile saline, contrast agents.
Ability of assisting cardiologist in performing transesophageal echocardiograms.
Performs Holters/Ambulatory Cardiac Monitoring when available.
Assists in maintaining and ordering adequate supplies used in the Echo department.
Assist Medical Service with all cardiology clinic consultations tracking to include inpatients and outpatients consults.
Any other duty as assigned by the Cath Lab Supervisors and/or Chief of Cardiology.
Assists in the transport of patients when transportation services are not available

Work Schedule: As available - Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Subject to change based upon agency needs)
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 586-00431-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Contact Carol Thompson at carol.thompson4@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Fi nancial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
You may be required to serve a probationary period.
Subject to background/security investigation.
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
Must pass pre-employment medical evaluation.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

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.)
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(link removed) 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 all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition.
English Language Proficiency(link removed) Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

Grade Determinations:
GS-9(link removed) In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-8 full performance level, positions at this grade may be lead, supervisory, or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and assignments.
Experience. 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 and includes: 1. Ability to produce diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode, two-dimensional, pulsed and continuous wave Doppler spectral display, and colorflow Doppler imaging; 2. Knowledge of normal echocardiographic findings and deviations produced by a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases; 3. Ability to perform complex procedures such as cardiac studies of the four chambers of the heart and valves using sector scanning techniques to detect stenotic and incompetent valves, chamber enlargement, and pericardial effusion and cardiovascular studies deriving pressure gradients across obstructed valves, etc.; 4. Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations (including noninvasive) transthoracic, Bubble studies and contrast echocardiography, (invasive) stress echocardiography, and transesophageal echocardiography; 5. Ability to adapt transducer positioning, instrument controls, and examination techniques to the individual patient being studied and the problem being evaluated including recognizing pertinent abnormalities and documenting abnormal findings.
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.

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.

Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training.

Preferred Experience: Experience performing diagnostic doppler, 2D, and M-Mode Echocardiograms; Coordinating and scheduling of patients, including transportation, as needed to and from Echo Lab; Experience identifying emergent findings and for notification of the appropriate Provider or Cardiologist; Experience maintaining equipment, making adjustments and calibration as needed.

GS 9 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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G27, dated March 17, 2006.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 09.

Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, pushing, pulling, and carrying light items.

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,

US Veterans Health Administration

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