Summary The Lead Diagnostic Ultrasound Technologist monitors and creates work assignments, provides input on performance, resolves daily workplace issues and maintains efficient workflow. The incumbent operates within the Imaging Service and is directly supervised by the Radiology Administrator and performs technical work in support of Radiology, under the direction of a physician. Responsibilities Duties include but are not limited to: The Lead Diagnostic Ultrasound Technologist assumes full administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the work of subordinate technicians. These duties include but not limited to: Assigning and evaluating the work of subordinate staff. Providing diagnostic ultrasound technician services in more complex cases. Reviewing and managing recommendations regarding new and emerging procedures which would improve operations. Providing instruction and training to inexperienced staff. Interviewing candidates for positions, recommending selections, advancements, promotions; evaluating performance. Recommending disciplinary action when necessary, and identifying educational and/or training needs. Resolving problems which may interfere with patient examination or treatment Demonstrate advanced competency in specific knowledge, skills, and behaviors. Effectively communicate with team members and contribute to their growth by sharing knowledge, experience, and skills. Ability to organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks and responsibilities. Serves as the subject matter expert to the department, and/or hospital in diagnostic ultrasound Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders and managers. Skill in assessing qualifications and abilities of current and prospective employees. Ability to consult with radiologists to develop standard and non-standard treatment/exam protocols. Skill to independently perform general and specialized diagnostic ultrasound procedures in advanced levels of complex treatment situations. Ability to develop and update technical policy and procedure manuals. Teaching the correct methodology of diagnostic ultrasound procedures and theory of interpretation of results to trainees. Ensures that all new Ultrasound technologists meet their competencies. Incumbent is responsible for daily checks of the Ultrasound open orders worklist (active, hold, pending, scheduled, etc.) to align with the National Scheduling and Orders Management Guidelines. Incumbent will check the validity of Ultrasound orders ensuring that ordering providers are following the Medical Center Policy on how to place an Imaging Order. Communicates with ordering providers when an order needs correction or cancellation. Assures that preventative maintenance and required QA are completed in a timely manner and reports any delays to the Supervisor. Work Schedule: M-F 7:30am - 4:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Eligible Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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. 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 dentification 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). As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 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. 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: Citizenship. 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. 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 certain functional areas at the higher levels or supervisory assignments, specific certifications appropriate to the specialty are indicated in this standard under "Titles and Certification/Registrations". Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 Hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation. 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-10. In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-9 level, with specialized advanced knowledge and assignments. (a) Experience. At least 1 year of 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. 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. KSAs1. Advanced knowledge of complex and non-standard treatment and examination procedures and techniques.2. Ability to plan and assist in the establishment of a completely integrated treatment and examination program.*3. Ability to evaluate new products and equipment and make recommendations concerning developments which would improve operations.(c) 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.(d) Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.1. Special Assignments. There may be a rare non-supervisory position supporting this grade level. Such a position would typically include knowledge of standards of medical practice in applicable medico-legal responsibilities in diagnostic ultrasound procedures; developing protocols and clinical research projects; developing and updating technical policy and procedure manuals; as well as teaching the correct methodology of diagnostic ultrasound procedures, theory of operations, and theory of interpretation of results to trainees. Preferred Experience: 5 Years Experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS10. 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, 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/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
