Summary This Medical Instrument Technologist, Ultrasound Technologist position is assigned to the Indianapolis VAMC, Radiology Service. This is a general medical and surgical facility, classified as a Level 1A facility. It is a teaching hospital, providing a full range of patient care services, with state-of-the-art technology as well as education and limited research. Responsibilities Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties included but not limited to: a. Advises radiologists or referring physicians of significant abnormalities that would require their immediate attention and visualization while the patient is undergoing examination. b. Performs ultrasound examinations including, but not limited to, abdomen, small parts, GYN (i.e. transvaginal) for the purpose of acquiring high quality examinations that assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patient medical disorders. c. Participates in the training of physicians, students and radiology technologists so that these individuals may acquire an understanding of the principles of ultrasound and how it relates to other diagnostic exams. d. Performs routine clerical procedures for the purpose of maintaining electronic records so that easy recall of patient examinations may be achieved. e. Makes multiple simultaneous settings and adjustments in operation of equipment to ensure accurate results. f. Reviews new developments in the field and recommends to supervisor those that would improve the operation of the ultrasound section. g. May be required to perform difficult and non-standardized ultrasound examinations including portable exams. h. Maintains adequate supplies so that examinations are not delayed due to the lack of necessary equipment and supplies. i. Assists the radiologists in the performance of cyst aspirations, fine needle aspirations, and biopsies guidance using ultrasound techniques. j. Develops and maintains patient prep procedures so that patients and wards understand the preparations for ultrasound examinations in effort to minimize delays of examinations. k. Explains examinations to be performed to the patients so that an understanding of the purpose of the study as well as any requirements of the patients is thoroughly understood. l. Gathers related information for the medical record such as labs and previous diagnostic images. Utilizes information to correlate anatomy to other studies and assist the radiologists in diagnosis and recommendation of treatment for medical disorders. m. Distributes ultrasound examinations and related information to the radiologists responsible for the interpretation of the exams. n. Utilizes PACS system to transmit images to the interpreting radiologists. o. Performs quality assurance testing on the ultrasound units using phantoms and test tools for the purpose of assuring peak performance of the ultrasound equipment as needed. p. Performs or supervises routine housekeeping duties to ensure that the ultrasound area is clean. q. The incumbent must be aware of and practice the safety policies/procedures of the medical center and participate in quality assurance activities and staff meetings as directed. Work Schedule: Intermittent -0800-1630- ability to work at least 1 8hr shift each month Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 91430-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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). 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. 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. 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. Grandfathering Provision: 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-8 Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics of the positions to be filled. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. 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. 2. Ability to perform vascular studies such as vertebral, renal artery, aortic aneurysm, portal systemic shunts, etc. 3. Ability to assist radiologists with biopsy procedures determining the location, depth, and required needle angle for the lesion to be sampled. 4. Ability to assist in surgical procedures and fluid aspirations. Certification: Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable. Preferred Experience: At least 1 year experience in diagnostic ultrasound clinic or hospital and and current Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographers -ARDMS credentials Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is an 8. 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 x-ray and ultrasound units in the main hospital and in the operating room requires twisting, turning to manipulate the x-ray tube and/or 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. Education There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation. 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 for 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. VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the @context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
