Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Responsibilities The Echocardiography Technician is assigned to Cardiology Section & has knowledge of thoracic anatomy & physiology. Performs assigned duties of significant scope, complexity, & variety. Performs diagnostic quality images & Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode, 2-D, 3-D, pulsed & continuous wave Doppler spectral display, & color flow Doppler imaging using digital technology. Performs transesophageal echocardiograms, dobutamine & exercise stress, & 3-D echocardiograms. Performs insertion of intra-venous catheters utilizing ultrasound on all patients. Prepares & attaches patient to stress test equipment & performs stress echocardiograms using digital acquisition & pharmaceutical agent with & without LV cavity opacification agent. Performs any new scanning techniques that are developed by the manufacturers of the ultrasound machines after a training program is completed Adapts transducer positioning, instrument controls & examination techniques to the individual patient & to illuminate the problem being evaluated. Monitors patient's condition during procedures . Triages inpatient procedure requests daily. Accurately documents information in the medical record & any other clinical or administrative applications . Technically knowledgeable in the operation, calibration, & maintenance of the specialized equipment in the echo lab. Completes encounters on all echo's performed, using the correct CPT codes, diagnosis. Assists in restocking of supplies/linens in procedure rooms as needed . Participates in Quality Management Customer Service. Participates in facility conferences, task forces & committees as assigned . Communicates effectively & professionally with employees at varying grade levels, patients & their families, & customers from outside facilities. Precepts new staff & cardiology trainees in their development of echocardiography imaging skills . Serves as a consultant to other health care professionals related to echo procedures . Assists the scheduling clerk in determining appropriateness of consults, triage & priority. Follows hospital policy & Reusable Medical Equipment SOP on the set up, use, reprocessing & maintenance of all equipment & supplies per manufacturer instructions for use. Completes initial RME competency during orientation & then annual competency validation. Performs complex procedures such as cardiac studies of the 4 chambers of the heart & valves using sector scanning techniques to detect stenotic & incompetent valves, chamber enlargement, & pericardia! effusion, thrombus, & pressure gradients across obstructed valves. Independently performs 2D transthoracic examinations & makes decisions for saline/contrast injection studies & LV cavity opacification agent use. Coordinates the echo lab function arranging for TEE, stress echo, & Dobutamine stress tests for outpatient & inpatient studies, coordinating with providers. Receives patients, explains procedure, assists patient in preparation for the procedure with clothing, position, transfer, performs exam. Completes check-in/out on each patient in CP User & CPRS & enters encounter codes for report & event capture. Assists staff cardiologist/attending MD with obtaining 3D transesophageal echocardiography & images for evaluation of patients with complicated valvular & structural heart disease using digital acquisition. Performs strain imaging in echocardiography as needed & indicated. Works with echo lab director & manager to develop protocols for standardization of imaging views during echocardiographic procedures. Orders & maintains supplies such as contrast agents, IV supplies, linens, & ancillary supplies. Develops & implements policies, procedures, & protocols for echocardiographic imaging under the guidance of cardiology attending physicians & the nurse manager. Serves as the Education coordinator & maintains records of training for echo, involved in the development & maintenance of competency & education records for the echo lab staff. Assesses, identifies, & provides training to meet the needs of echo lab staff. Works with echo lab director & nurse manager to implement & maintain a Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement program, participates in auditing staff. Has knowledge of more complex examination & treatment procedures & techniques to provide training & supervision in these procedures. Remains abreast of new developments in the echo field, arranges for in service, evaluation & demonstration of new technology & equipment. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00am- 3:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact: michael.campbell6@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 54714-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications * This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until December 27, 2024. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be October 18, 2024. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled 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. 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. 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. Grade Determinations: GS 9 Experience: At least 1 year 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 experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of echocardiography services. GS-8 KSAs 1. Ability to produce diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode, two-dimensional, pulsed and continuous wave Doppler spectral display, and color flow Doppler imaging. 2. Knowledge of normal echocardiographic findings and deviations produced by a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases. 3. 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. 4. Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations (including noninvasive) transthoracic, Bubble studies and contrast echocardiography, (invasive) stress echocardiography, and transesophageal echocardiography. 5. 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. AND GS-9 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (): 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. Preferred Experience: 1 year of Cardiac Sonographer experience. GS-9 - 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. Reference: VA HANDBOOK 5005/54 Transmittal Sheet Formally VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G27. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Able to meet the physical demands of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing duties of this job the Echocardiography Technician is frequently required to stand, walk, and bend and reach. Must be able to lift and/or move over 50 pounds. They must have good manual dexterity and keyboarding skills. Must be able to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word. Must be able to view and read information on computer screens. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Pay: Competitive salary & regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, 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 p/y (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays p/y) 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 yrs. vesting) & fed. 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Fed. health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many fed. insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Fed. Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hrs. per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Fed. 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 & approved prior to the appointment date & 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 & does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, & are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 & submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed & how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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 JOA. 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 & the complaint process, visit Human Resources & Administration/Operations, Security, & Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.