Medical Instrument Tech (Echocardiography)

The JHQVA Medical Center is recruiting for a Medical Instrument Technician Technician Echocardiography located in the Dannie A. Carr Veterans Outpatient Clinic in Sevierville Cardiology Section of the Nursing Service Department. Echocardiography Technicians at this level functions proficiently in all aspects of the Echo Cardiology Lab: identify and record anomalies indicative of disease, injury, or other medically significant condition 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 prosthesis or foreign objects, and ultrasonic response of different body parts. produce diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency recordings using M-mode, two-dimensional and Doppler ultrasound. work with physician to complete Transesophageal Echocardiograms and Stress Echocardiology procedures. The Cardiac sonographer must have a comprehensive understanding of cardiovascular and thoracic anatomy, cardiovascular pathophysiology, hemodynamics, and embryology in order to recognize normal and abnormal cardiovascular structure, function, and abnormalities of blood flow. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of ultrasound physics, instrumentation, tissue characteristics and measurements of blood flow, including the biological effects of ultrasounds must be familiar with other types of diagnostic tests, clinical laboratory test, nuclear cardiology, and cardiac catheterization able to integrate echocardiographic results with those results of such other tests. must be competent in the production, use, recognition patterns and analysis of ultrasound images. The sonographer is regarded as the expert source of all ultrasound imaging and the interpreting physician relies heavily on the skills, knowledge, and abilities of the sonographer in providing a final interpretation. must use independent judgment in applying knowledge of clinical cardiology and ultrasound, and Doppler principles. must use problem-solving skills to optimize the evaluation and adjust the exam to ensure that it is comprehensive and accurate. records and interprets the result of the exam and presents information and or possible diagnosis to interpreting physician. Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday- Friday 7:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Travel Required: No Compressed/Flexible: N/A Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 60434-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. Education: There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation. Licensure or Certification: Licensure or Certification is not required for this occupation; however, it is strongly desirable. English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(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: For the GS-9: Appendix D • Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) GS-9. 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. (a) 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. 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 designated by an asterisk ( ): (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. KSAs 1, 2, and 3 are appropriate for all positions at this level.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. (c) 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. Preferred Experience: Five or more years of experience as an Echo Tech. Outpatient clinic experience, Inpatient experience, including TEE and Stress Echo experience. Must be CCI or RDCS registered. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting of 45 pounds and over; heavy carrying 45 pounds and over; straight pulling and pushing; reaching above the shoulder; use of fingers, both hands required; walking; standing; kneeling; repeated bending; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to16" to jaeger 1-4; and far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other. 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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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/.