Summary The Echocardiography Technician has the intimate knowledge of thoracic anatomy and physiology related to cardiovascular function. They will work in Department of Specialty Care at the Joseph M Cleland Atlanta VAMC. This announcement will be open continuously. Responsibilities Major duties include, but are not limited to: Ability to performs 2D, M-Mode, continuous and pulse wave Doppler and color flow exam. Performs transthoracic examinations. Performs stress echocardiograms with and without pharmaceuticals. Assists physician of results of exam. Receives patients, explains procedure and performs exam. Assist Cardiology Fellows in performing and interpreting echo exams. Independently setting, calibrating and operating of machinery. Knowledge of normal echocardiography findings and deviations produced by a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases. Ability to perform complex procedures such as cardiac studies of the four chambers of the heart 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. Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations (including noninvasive) transthoracic echocardiography, Bubble studies and contrast echocardiography (invasive), stress echocardiography, and transesophogeal echocardiography. 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. Ability to interact with patients explaining procedures and positioning and prepping the patient for procedure. Ability to follow policy for sterilization process for TEE probes. Ability to complete diagnostic studies ordered by and in collaboration with physician on all tours of duty with minimal or no direct supervision; coordinates appointments/ workload according to appropriateness of patients/ staffing. Ability to accept verbal orders and record entries into the patient's medical record for the procedure performed. The complying of data, revising reports and completing reports for physician review. Ability to manage Echocardiography images in Xcelera and copy to CD. Ability to schedule clinic appointments using Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VISTA) in accordance with the business rules outlined in the VHA directive 2006-005 Outpatient Scheduling Processes and Procedures. Demonstrates knowledge and use of general business rules outlined in the VHA Directive 2006-005 Outpatient Scheduling Processes and Procedures. Ability to use established business rules for Enrollment and Registration, Scheduling, Consult Management, Use of the vista Electronic Wait List (EWL), Handling No-Shows, Patient Cancellations, and Clinic Cancellations as applicable to job. Ability to uses insurance software, as instructed, to insure the capture of all insurance information during the check-in process. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, Tours vary from 0800am-1630pm. Work Schedule is subject to change based on agency need. Functional Statement #: 521-FS-409; 521-FS-410; 521-FS-411: 521-FS-412 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 trial period. 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). 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. 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 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. This would be experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of cardiac catheterization technician services. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs. 1. Knowledge and comprehensive understanding of laboratory testing procedures to include maintenance, calibration, and quality control procedures. This includes the ability to perform these lab tests accurately and correctly. 2. Advanced knowledge of electronics and anesthesia equipment with skill in repairing and maintaining this equipment and repairing complex problems. 3. Comprehensive knowledge of central venous and pulmonary artery (Swan-Ganz) catheterization procedures including measuring cardiac outputs and intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation procedures (i.e., balloon pump). 4. Knowledge and ability to assist with airway management techniques. 5. Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements. 6. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. 7. Ability to manage and supervise employees. 8. Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training. (c) Certification. Anesthesia technician certification through the American Society of Anesthesia Technologists and Technicians (ASATT) is highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level. 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.
