Career Center

Summary

The incumbent will function at the advanced performance level. The incumbent performs the most complex ultrasound examinations. The responsibilities of this position are to perform a variety of ultrasonic technical studies in the application of non-ionization high frequency waves to patients for diagnosis of disease and other abnormalities and assist physicians during interventional procedures.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g.) Certification
• All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology - Radiography (ARRT) (R)
• Advanced ARRT certification is required for assignments that include computed tomography (CT) - magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - [or Mammography (M) duties performed independently - as applicable]
• Advanced certification indicates that the incumbent [can operate independently] and has demonstrated specific clinical competency in the appropriate specialty and taken and passed the designated examination
• [In modalities that require advanced certification - to support their continued development - technologists who do not possess an advanced certification may be provided on the job training with oversight from a certified radiologic technologist.] Education
• Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months in duration (or the equivalent) in a post-high school diagnostic radiologic technology program - evidenced by a certificate or an associate degree - accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) or from [other accrediting agencies as recognized by the Department of Education (DOE).] [NOTE: Assignment to the clinical program director requires meeting JRCERT minimum educational standards as noted in the assignment description.] Credentialing Standards
• Public Law 97-35 - the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of 1981 - requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75 - Standards for the Accreditation of Educational Programs and the Credentialing of Radiographic Personnel
• Essentially - they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and be certified as radiographers in their field
• Loss of Credential
• An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain certification within two years - or who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation - which may also result in termination of employment
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• English Language Proficiency
• DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• GRADE REQUIREMENTS
• Creditable Experience (1) Knowledge of Current Radiologic Technology Practice
• To be creditable - experience must have demonstrated possession of the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics (also referred to as clinical competencies) associated with current radiologic technology practice
• This may have been evidenced by the equivalent of one year of active practice - which is paid or non-paid employment as a DRT/Sonographer as defined by ARRT or ARDMS
• (2) Quality of Experience
• Experience is only creditable if it was earned after completion of the basic certification requirements identified in paragraph 2b above
• Experience as a graduate DRT/Ultrasound Tech is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a DRT/Ultrasound Tech and subsequently passed the certification examination
• (3) Part-Time Experience
• Part-time experience as a DRT/Ulsd Tech is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek
• For example - a DRT/Ulsd Tech would receive one week of full- time credit for each two weeks of half-time work
• Specialized Assignments
• Specialized areas of radiologic technology include general diagnostic radiologic technology (R) - bone densitometry (BD) - mammography (M) - diagnostic ultrasound (S) - computed tomography (CT) - [] magnetic resonance imaging (MR) - [] [interventional radiologic technology (IR)] - quality management (QM) - [picture archival communication system (PACS) technologist - MRI safety officer (MRSO) - imaging administrator - clinical program director - and clinical instructor.] Ultrasound [Vascular] Sonography) (S) - [ (VS)]
• Positions should be assigned to the DRT - GS-0647 series - when both ultrasound and other modalities which require the delivery of ionizing radiation are performed
• Positions in which ultrasound duties are performed exclusively (no other modalities are performed) - should be assigned to the medical instrument technician - GS-0649 series - since ultrasound duties solely do not require the delivery of ionizing radiation
• Diagnostic ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves and other diagnostic techniques for medical purposes
• The practitioner must be competent in the production - use - recognition - and analysis of ultrasound images and patterns used for patient diagnosis and treatment
• The sonographer is regarded as the expert source of all ultrasound imaging - and the interpreting radiologist relies heavily on the skills - knowledge - and abilities of the sonographers in providing a final interpretation
• Within this specialization - there is a diverse range of ultrasound imaging sub-specialties
• GS-9. In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-8 full performance level - positions at this level may be lead - supervisory - or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and duties
• (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 include specialized experience as an anesthesia technician which demonstrates possession of the knowledge - skills - and abilities required to provide all aspects of anesthesia technician services including specialized duties
• 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 through 6 are appropriate for all positions at this level
• KSAs 7 and 8 are to be used in accordance with their appropriateness for the specific assignment
• 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 counter pulsation 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
• (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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-09.

Duties

• Functions: a
• Independently performs a variety of routine small part - abdominal - gynecologic (pelvic transabdominal and endovaginal) - obstetric (emergent first trimester) examinations in accordance with established practice guidelines
• b
• Locate - identify - and determine compositions of cold nodules
• differentiate benign renal cysts from malignant neoplasms
• evaluate renal disease - liver abnormalities - pancreatic masses - and determining presence or absence of abdominal aortic aneurysms are among the variety of studies to be performed
• c
• Independently performs a variety of routine and complex vascular examinations using pulse and continuous wave Doppler and color Doppler techniques such as upper-extremity venous duplex to include abdominal aorta duplex - carotid-artery duplex scans in accordance with established practice guidelines
• d
• Instructs the radiology residents and fellow staff and students in all aspects of ultrasound
• Manages the technique of residents and students performing scans and in the generation of images for interpretation
• Advises radiologist or referring physician of results and provides a preliminary diagnostic evaluation
• e
• Appropriately uses the administrative menus - functions - and tools applicable to the Veterans Health Information System and Technology Architecture system (VISTA) - the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) application - and McKesson (PACS) Radiology reading solution to accurately and effectively manage patient encounters - document treatment and care - and archive diagnostic imaging
• f
• Adheres to established facility patient identification policy and procedures to ensure correct identification of all patients such that they are appropriately linked with their medical record and the services and treatments intended for them
• g
• Performs a variety of administrative functions required as part of the daily operations of the ultrasound modality to include but not limited to ultrasound desk coordinator - patient and exam registration duties - monitoring of VetLink self-service kiosk for outpatient check-in status - processes ultrasound requisitions (daily request printouts) - coordinates emergent outpatient exam add-ons into the daily schedule with local and house staff - h
• Schedules exams in a manner so as to optimize exam times while maintaining flexibility for emergency cases
• This requires the ability to prioritize scheduled patients as well as the ability to accommodate the emergency patient
• i
• Assists section supervisor and the radiologists in establishing protocols for routine examinations and makes independent judgments when it is necessary to deviate from standard procedures
• j
• Participates in the orientation and precepting of new employees to the Ultrasound modality to include initial training for complex examinations routinely performed at the facility
• k
• The incumbent must be aware of and practice the safety policies/procedures of the Medical Center and participate in quality assurance activities as directed
• l
• Responsible to explain exams to competent patients so that patients understand what is to be done as well as what hazards - if any - are possible
• m
• Reusable Medical Equipment Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) is any medical equipment designed by the manufacturer to be reused for multiple patients
• All personnel who are involved with the use of RME are responsible for knowing what designated RME is used in their clinical area and following the local Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) drafted in accordance with the manufacturer's written recommendations to ensure compliance with established handling - disinfection - and transport procedures of RME
• n
• Continually reviews new developments in the field of Ultrasound
• Is continually on the alert to improve quality of exams utilizing the new technologies available
• The purpose of this review is to provide the patients with the best possible scans for diagnostic purposes
• NOTE: Positions should be assigned to the DRT - GS-647 series - when both ultrasound and other modalities which require the delivery of ionizing radiation are performed
• Positions in which ultrasound duties are performed exclusively (no other modalities are performed) - should be assigned to the Medical Instrument Technician - GS-649 series - since ultrasound duties solely do not require the delivery of ionizing radiation
• Work Schedule: M-F
• 0730-1600/0800-1630/0830-1700