This position will be located within the Cardiology Non-Invasive Lab at the Central Virginia Veterans Affairs Health Care System (CVHCS) in Richmond, Virginia. The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) at this level performs a range of standard, but complex, echocardiographic examinations. 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. 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. English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, Part II, section D, paragraph 5a. 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). Preferred Experience: Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) is highly desirable. Grade Determinations: 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 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 echocardiography services. 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. 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.1. 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 Echocardiography.2. Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements.3. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels.*4. Ability to manage and supervise employees.*5. Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training. (c) Certification. Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 MARCH 17, 2006 PART II APPENDIX G27The full performance level of this vacancy is GS9. Physical Requirements: Must have the physical ability to perform job-related duties which require lifting, standing, bending, transferring, stooping, stretching, walking, pushing, or pulling without assistance from another patient care provider or significant other. A health examination must be successfully complete prior to this assignment and periodically thereafter as required by the Employee Health Clinic policy. There will be intermittent exposure to blood and body fluids. ["Duties include but not limited to the following: 1. The incumbent will have the ability to perform diagnostic cardiac ultrasound: the incumbent will use M-mode and two-dimensional ultrasound to image the pericardium, cardiac walls, chambers, septa, and valves. 2. The incumbent will have knowledge of the physics of ultrasound and of the technology behind the echocardiographic instrumentation. 3. The incumbent will have knowledge of cardiac anatomy and pathophysiology, and knowledge of the limitations imposed by the physics and the equipment. 4. The incumbent will have knowledge of cardiac cross-sectional anatomy to be able to identify intracardiac structures in order to select the correct transducer and gain settings to minimize artifact on acquisition, in addition to recognizing subtle equipment malfunctions. 5. The incumbent will be proficient in operating a diagnostic ultrasound machine to perform a complete echocardiogram study by obtaining and recording two and three dimensional ultrasound pictures, m-mode, pulsed wave, continuous wave, and color Doppler, as well as, Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). The incumbent will follow the standard format developed by the American Society of Echocardiography. 6. The incumbent will be responsible for specific measurements and calculations that will be included in the echocardiogram test report (e.g. stenotic valve area, pressure gradient). The incumbent will be under minimal to no supervision. 7. The incumbent will prepare a preliminary diagnostic report for each echocardiogram done for review by the cardiologist which requires an increased knowledge of computer networking and image processing. 8. The incumbent will alert the physician to findings on the echocardiogram that may require prompt intervention before an official interpretation can be rendered (i.e., severe pericardia! effusion with tamponade, aortic dissection, etc.). 9. The incumbent will advise referring physician of significant abnormalities that would require their immediate attention and visualization while the patient is undergoing examination. 10. The incumbent develops and maintains patient preparation procedures so that patients and wards understand the proper preparations for ultrasound examination in an effort to minimize delays of examinations. The incumbent will explain the examination to be performed on the patient so that the purpose of the study, as well as any requirements of the patients me thoroughly understood Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required"]

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