Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound) Job at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Iowa City

Summary: The Diagnostic Ultrasound Technologist performs a full range of ultrasound examinations-including routine - complex - and highly specialized studies-to support diagnostic decision-making and patient treatment. This work requires expert knowledge of human anatomy - sonographic physics - equipment operation - and image interpretation to acquire images of diagnostic quality. Technologist functions independently and without direct supervision for the majority of examinations.

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" 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 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 Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-8) - 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: 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 In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: KSAs 1 - 2 - and 3 are appropriate for all positions at this level KSAs 4 and 5 are to be used in accordance with their appropriateness for the specific assignment 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 provide - or provide for - staff development and training

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

Preferred Experience: Minimum one year ultrasound experience Abdomen - OB/GYN and/or Vascular registry preferred

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties: Major duties include - but are not limited to the following: Clinical Duties Perform ultrasound examinations in a hospital setting - including abdominal - vascular - soft-tissue - and specialty exams Position and align patients set up and adjust ultrasound equipment and manually manipulate transducers to acquire diagnostic images Apply expert knowledge of normal and abnormal anatomy to obtain pertinent diagnostic views for all requested studies Adjust and control technical imaging factors such as time - gain - amplitude - velocity - frequency - attenuation - absorption - reflection - scattering - refraction - and diffraction Select appropriate transducers -including non-focused - fixed-focus - linear phased array - and annular phased array-based on examination type and anatomical requirements Interview patients to obtain pertinent medical history - medication usage - and procedure-specific information Provide clear explanations of procedures and communicate relevant clinical information to interpreting radiologists Modify procedures to accommodate differences in patient age - medical conditions - and body habitus Perform ultrasound examinations both within the department and in portable settings as patient needs dictate Independently perform duties during off-tour hours - weekends - holidays - and on-call assignments Workflow and Administrative Duties Coordinate - plan - organize - and execute daily workflow in the Ultrasound area Maintain a daily log of patients and procedures Schedule patient examinations and prioritize urgent or emergent cases appropriately Enter patients and exam data accurately into the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and maintain complete records of examinations performed Ensure proper patient identification and image labeling - preventing mistaken identity of exams Maintain adequate supplies - pharmaceuticals - and materials used in the department Coordinate ordering with SPD as required Conduct or assist with telephone coverage - scheduling - inventory activities - room utilization tracking - and equipment maintenance documentation Participate in departmental quality improvement - safety protocols - and compliance with all regulatory requirements

Education and Training: Maintain thorough and current knowledge of all ultrasound procedures Keep abreast of new technologies - techniques - and best practices in Ultrasonography Incorporate new advancements into updated procedure protocols and provide in-service education for radiology technical staff Supervise and train ultrasound and radiologic technology students - as well as volunteers assigned to the area

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized