Summary The Cardiac Echocardiography Technician at this level function at the full performance level. Echocardiography technicians at this level identify and record anomalies indicative of disease, injury, or other medically significant condition from ultrasound imaging and simultaneous recordings of the Doppler. They incorporate the causes and results of a variety of symptoms and conditions into a plan of ultrasonic diagnostic examination. Responsibilities Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include, but are not limited to: Travel to Toledo clinic with Ann Arbor coverage every Monday and Wednesday--alternating Friday The technique is extremely operator dependent and the examination process is complex. The cardiac sonographer must use independent judgment in applying knowledge of clinical cardiology and ultrasound, and Doppler principles. The sonographer must use problem-solving skills to optimize the evaluation and adjust the exam to ensure that it is comprehensive and accurate. The sonographer records and interprets the result of the exam and presents information and/ or possible diagnosis to interpreting physician. Failure to integrate such data may lead to inaccurate exam and erroneous clinical interpretation. The incumbent performs 2D, M-Mode, continuous and pulse wave Doppler and color flow exam. Performs transthoracic examinations. Performs stress echocardiograms with and without pharmaceuticals. Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations (including noninvasive) transthoracic, Bubble studies and contrast echocardiography, (invasive) stress echocardiography, and transesophageal echocardiography. Receives patients, explains procedure, and performs exam. Assist Cardiology Fellows in performing and interpreting echo exams. Independently setting, calibrating, and operating of machinery. Ability to adapt transducer position, instrument controls and examination techniques to the individual patient being studied and the problem being evaluated included recognizing pertinent abnormalities and documenting abnormal finds. Independently works with the Imaging Capture system. Uses the Modality Work list and Clinical Procedures to link the clinic visit and results to the consult. Completes encounters on all ECHOs performed, using the correct CPT codes, diagnosis, Service connection status and other field as required. Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm - Duty at Toledo Office: Every Mon, Tues, Thurs and alternating Friday. Duty at Ann Arbor Office: Every Monday, Wednesday and alternating Fridays Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:92909-0 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment DRIVER'S LICENSE REQUIREMENT: This position requires a current, valid, state-issued driver's license. DO NOT SUBMIT A DRIVERS LICENSE IN YOUR APPLICATION, you will be disqualified- YOU WILL PROVIDE THIS IF SELECTED IN ONBOARDING. 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. 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 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. 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. 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". For all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition. 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 Medical instrument technician: Experience: AAt least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. GS-08 Identifies and record anomalies indicative of disease, injury, or other medically significant conditions using ultrasound imaging with Doppler as indicated. 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 patients, presence of prostheses 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 in complex and unusual cases. Has the intimate knowledge of thoracic anatomy and physiology as related to cardiovascular function. Performs complex exams using independent judgment in apply knowledge of clinical cardiology and ultrasound, and Doppler principles Problem-solving skills to ensure exam is comprehensive and accurate. Records and interprets exam results and provide information/or possible diagnosis to interpreting physician. Certification: No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) Preferred Experience: 3 YEARS experience in TEE, Stress echo including Dobutamine, Structural heart (TAVR), and echo enhancing agent use. ARDMS or CCI certified Must possess a valid and unrestricted state driver's license. (Please DO NOT provide driver's license. We may not accept pictures. This requirement will be verified during interview.) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. This position is at full performance level. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to travel to treatment areas with ease. This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Radiation is utilized in the Nuclear Medicine Lab. The incumbent will be responsible to comply with all aspects of the Radiation safety program. Education There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation. 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.
