Summary

The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for an Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound Technologist). The Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound Technologist) will function in Imaging Service.

Qualifications

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
• Education may be substituted for experience only at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels
• See the grade requirements part of this standard for information regarding educational substitutions
• Licensure or Certification: Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) is highly desirable
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable
• English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this part
• 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-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
• Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level - GS-08 - 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 specialized experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of diagnostic ultrasonography services
• Experience at the GS-8 level may include: 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
• Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): 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 diagnostic ultrasonography
• *Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels
• Ability to manage and supervise employees
• Ability to provide - or provide for - staff development and training
• References: VA Regulations - specifically - VA Handbook 5005 - Part II Appendix G27 - Medical Instrument Technician Qualification Standard
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work require long periods of standing - walking - and sitting
• Work involves constant bending - lifting - twisting - and carrying moderately heavy items such as cassettes
• Use of mobile ultrasound units in the main hospital and in the operating room requires twisting - turning to manipulate the ultrasound unit
• The work requires pushing wheelchair and stretcher patients
• Positioning patients who are unconscious or disabled requires considerable effort and working in awkward positions
• Lifting of totally incapacitated patients is done only with the help of other employees.

Duties

• All ultrasound technologists will be responsible for operating various types of ultrasound equipment
• You will be accountable for using specialized equipment to perform high quality diagnostic scans of - but not limited to - the soft tissue organs and vessels of: the neck - chest - abdomen - pelvis and extremities - utilizing gray scale - color Doppler - spectral Doppler - contrast enhanced ultrasound - elastography - and 3D/4D volume imaging as necessary
• You will also be active in assisting the Radiology team during a vast spectrum of sterile percutaneous needle procedures performed for diagnostic and therapeutic reasons and routinely applying real-time Image Fusion and Electromagnetic Needle Tracking features
• You will be required to be highly competent to assist in and perform these wide-range of complex advanced ultrasound studies using the latest innovative technologies during unconventional scans
• Duties (MIT - Ultrasound) Adhere to all Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center and departmental Directives - Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and other enforced policies
• Display a vast knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy - physiology and ultrasound physics
• Use of this knowledge to produce high quality diagnostic studies using proper patient positioning and scanning techniques under the guidelines of the American College of Radiology (ACR) practice parameters - departmental protocols - SOP's and/or other regulating bodies
• Must be skilled in advanced ultrasound technologies such as: Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) - Real-Time Image Fusion - Electromagnetic Needle Tracking (EMT) - Shear Wave and Strain Elastography - and 3D/4D Volume Imaging
• Must be able to assist radiologist in complex invasive medical procedures such as but not limited to: TheraSphere Radiotherapy Treatment - Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) - Microwave Ablation - and Cryoablation
• Reports to the operating room when ultrasound is required to support surgical team
• Support other team members in meeting departmental responsibilities and goals
• Demonstrates a collaborative and proactive approach in communication skills both oral and written - problem solving and resolving conflicts as needed
• Reports for scheduled tour on time and prepared to assume all duties
• Troubleshoot problems related to the department and image quality and report all unresolved problems or issues to their direct supervisor immediately
• Maintain adequate and necessary supplies in the work area so team members can perform daily scheduled tasks without interruption- Coordinate and help guide both internal and external customers regarding scheduling - patient information - networking and informatics
• Perform a variety of miscellaneous clerical duties in support of the Ultrasound/Radiology section
• The technologist will protocol new and revised ultrasound requisitions to assist in the scheduling operation as well as add invasive procedures to the departmental calendar on SharePoint as needed
• Required to participate in the on-call coverage rotation and carry a hospital issued pager or cell phone for emergency contact
• Technologist will abide by the on-call SOP of the department
• Inform patients regarding imaging protocol - procedure - equipment and study to ensure understanding and full cooperation
• Monitor patient's condition and take appropriate action in emergent situations with radiologist's and nursing staff assistance and guidance
• Uphold proper status in the VA Talent Management System (TMS) and PolicyTech System
• Must be registered and in good standing with ARDMS credentialing
• Also - BLS certificate required
• Prior to providing care - treatment or any services - technologist must always compare two patient identifiers against a source document to ensure correct patient is present
• Must participate in \"Time-Out\" when assisting with invasive procedure to ensure that all surgery and invasive procedures performed in the clinical setting are performed on the correct patient - at the correct site - and if applicable with the correct implant
• Prepare sterile tray with the appropriate supplies necessary for all invasive procedures while upholding AORN (Association of periOperative Registered Nurses) standards
• All finished ultrasound studies are required to have the appropriate ultrasound worksheet completed by performing technologist to aide in the radiologist's interpretation
• Required to become knowledgeable with Computerized Patient Record (CPRS) - Veterans Integrated System Technology Architecture (VISTA) - Philips IntelliSpace PACS enterprise - and current Teleradiology service
• Work Schedule: Part-Time Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 94079-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized