Career Center

Summary

As an Echocardiography Technician at the VA Orlando Healthcare System Medical Center and outpatient clinics. This represents above the full-performance level. Typical assignments involve operating medical equipment or instruments in connection with a variety of procedures which require a high degree of flexibility and judgement. Incumbent must be able to evaluate test results and Veteran patient responses to the extent of determining appropriate machine adjustments in selecting the method.

Qualifications

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
• 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-Documentation Submitted
• 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"
• Grandfathering Provision: 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 REQUIREMENTS Certifications/Registrations: 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
• Medical Instrument Technicians (Echocardiography) - GS-08 (Full Performance Level): NOTE: In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to produce diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode - two-dimensional - pulsed and continuous wave Doppler spectral display - and colorflow Doppler imaging
• Knowledge of normal echocardiographic 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 and valves 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 - Bubble studies and contrast echocardiography - (invasive) stress echocardiography - and transesophageal 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
• Medical Instrument Technicians (Echocardiography) - GS-09: 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
• 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
• NOTE: In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): 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
• * Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels
• * Ability to manage and supervise employees
• * Ability to provide - or provide for - staff development and training
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification is desirable 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
• Physical Requirements
• The incumbent must be able to travel to treatment areas with ease while pushing an Echo Machine
• The incumbent must be able to stand for up to 8-10 hours while providing patient care
• The incumbent must be able to lift up to 20 pounds of equipment - supplies and records
• The incumbent must be able to manipulate the probes during the procedure - pushing against the patient's chest to obtain the appropriate images
• Additionally - the incumbent will be required to transport patients on stretchers - beds and wheelchairs
• There is the potential for extended periods of sitting at computer terminals
• The incumbent is expected to use proper preventive ergonomic techniques to perform duties.

Duties

• Medical Instrument Technicians (Echocardiography) duties may include - but not limited to the following: Echocardiograms
• The work involves highly complex echocardiographic imaging studies - recording for specific measurement - i.e. - cardiac chamber size - wall thickness and wall motion - derive calculations of ejection fractions - cardiac output - and abnormalities of left ventricular segmental wall motions
• Incumbent uses independent judgement during the sonographic exam to accurately differentiate between normal and pathologic findings
• Incumbent analyses sonogram and synthesizes sonographic examination and medical history and communicates finding(s) with the cardiologist
• 3D
• The 3D derived left ventricular function and chamber quantification
• Adequately performs full volume and LV quantifications
• Doppler Studies
• The complex study involves using the pulse-wave (PW) and continuous-wave (CW) modes by taking a sample volume at a specific location to display blood flow information for that site - obtain maximum velocity by CW - doppler tracing - recording information (doppler signals) for obstructive etiologies and regurgitation of valves as well as relaxation of the ventricles and digitization
• Color Flow Studies
• This shows the blood flow in color and can show regurgitation of the heart valves
• Incumbent must adjust frequently to patient and equipment interfaces - etc. - to individualize the examination and obtain appropriate information and calculation of jets and digitization
• Trans Esophageal Echocardiograms
• Incumbent has the responsibility of setting up ultrasound equipment prior to the procedure being done - ensuring that the ultrasound machine and TEE probe is unlocked - connected - and ready for use
• Incumbent responsible to note serial number of TEE probe
• Incumbent will have the task of operating and adjusting the ultrasound machine so that the best quality views can be visualized and recorded
• Bubble Studies
• Incumbent is responsible for setting up syringes to be used and for positioning patient for procedure
• Incumbent will have the responsibility of operating the ultrasound machine so that the best quality views are visualized and recorded
• Ultrasound Opacification Agents
• Incumbent is responsible for determining the need for use of ventricular opacification agents
• Incumbent is also responsible to know the risk and benefits of its use and proper handling of the opacification agent - including storage and injections - and for setting up syringes to be used and for positioning patient for procedure
• Incumbent will have the responsibility of operating the ultrasound machine so that best quality views are visualized and recorded
• Stress Echocardiogram
• Incumbent is responsible for obtaining a baseline - full resting echocardiogram and for hooking patient up for stress procedure
• Incumbent assists the physician with monitoring the patient during the walking phase of the procedure for obtaining the ultrasound views during and after the stress
• Incumbent also performs Dobutamine Stress Echocardiograms for the department and obtains ultrasound images before - during - and after stress test
• Addition Functions
• Incumbent assists the cardiologist with Cardiology Clinic - as well as outpatient clinic consultations
• Incumbent assists in maintaining records on the VHA computers
• Incumbent responds to emergency situations on an as needed basis
• S/he can work very rapidly and accurately - adjust with established or predetermined practices in response to the physician's demand or changes in the patient's condition
• Incumbent plans and reviews work with medical staff
• Incumbent assists in the training of new employees
• Incumbent will perform a variety of diagnostic ultrasonic exams/procedures in the department - clinics - and portable settings
• Incumbent responsible for maintaining adequate supplies used in the department
• Responsible for having supplies ordered and maintained appropriately
• Incumbent may perform other related duties as deemed necessary such as - but not limited to - answering telephones - inventories - etc
• Incumbent may be required to participate in an active on-call schedule on a regular basis
• Incumbent must be aware of and practice the safety policies and procedures of the Medical Center and participate in quality assurance activities as directed
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 3:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 80164F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized