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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound) (Sonographer) Near East Orange, NJ

Qualifications:

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship. Citizenship of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.)
• 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'.
• English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Creditable Experience - Knowledge of Current Medical Instrument Technician Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics associated with current Medical Instrument Technician practice appropriate to the identified specialty area. Specialized developmental experience obtained under supervision of appropriately certified individuals may be credited at higher levels and is addressed in individual appendices.

Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is equivalent to at least the next lower grade level and is directly related to the position/specialty to be filled.

Part-time Experience. Part time experience is credited according to its relationship to a full time work week. For example, an individual employed 20 hours per week, or on a ½ time basis would receive one work week credit for each two weeks of service.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the criteria discussed in the applicable headings, or that defined in the appendices, must be met when determining the grade of candidates.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.

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 be specialized experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of diagnostic ultrasonography services. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):

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 diagnostic ultrasonography.*
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: It is preferred that candidates are a registered ultrasound technician who has current certification from the Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

Certification. 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.

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.

Special Assignments. Non-supervisory diagnostic ultrasound technicians may have assignments that because of their nature substantially exceed the full performance level. The Professional Standards Board will review proposed non-supervisory special assignments for the GS-9 level and make a determination regarding their appropriateness. These assignments are expected to be relatively few in number and must represent substantial additional responsibility over the full performance level.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 MARCH 17, 2006 PART II APPENDIX G27

The full performance level of this vacancy is the GS-09, which is the actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy.

Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items.

Responsibilities:

The Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound) (Sonographer) uses high frequency sound waves and other diagnostic techniques for medical imaging purposes. The technician must be competent in the production, use, recognition, and analysis of ultrasound images and patterns used for patient diagnosis and treatment. The incumbent manages the diagnostic ultrasound section. He/she performs highly technical evaluation of the abdomen, pelvis, thorax, thyroids, prostate, kidneys, aorta, iliac, scrotum, and popliteal. Independently performs standard examinations through knowledge of both normal and abnormal human anatomy. Evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures, and rearranges patients scheduled to accommodate them.

Major Duties include, but are not limited to,

- Advises radiologists of significant abnormalities that would require their immediate attention and visualization.
- Performs ultrasound examinations of the abdomen, neck, chest and extremities, retroperitoneal space.
- All studies are performed in accordance with established guidelines and protocols.
- All procedures depict accurate scan sequences/correct image acquisition.
- Incumbent meets established timeline for the completion of all standard procedures that have been scheduled.
- Participates in the training of resident physicians and students so that these individuals may acquire an understanding of the principles of ultrasound and how it relates to other diagnostic examinations.
- Makes multiple simultaneous settings and adjustments in operation of equipment to insure accurate results.
- Reviews new developments in the field and recommends to supervisor those that would improve the operation of the section.
- Maintains adequate supplies so that examinations are not delayed due to the lack of necessary
equipment and supplies.
- Develops and maintains patient prep procedures so that patients and wards.
- Explains examinations to be performed to the patients.
- Gathers related information so that correlation to other studies may be made by the radiologist in diagnosis and recommendation of treatment for medical disorders.
- Assists quality assurance technologists in performing quality assurance testing on the ultrasound unit using phantoms, test tools, test check lists, etc. for the purpose of assuring peak performance of the ultrasound equipment.
- Performs or supervises routine housekeeping duties to assure that the ultrasound area is clean and sanitary.
- The incumbent demonstrates through knowledge relating to the use of the Intracavity Probe.
- The incumbent is deemed certified in Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) as required (annually).·
- Inspects and meets regular requirements for cleaning and documenting the Eye Wash Station wherever US is performed.
- Assures equipment is always available and ready for use.
- The incumbent must be aware of and practice the safety policies/procedures of the medical center, the infection control, etc.
- The employee's relationship with supervisors, co-workers, and others within the organization is consistently courteous and cooperative in nature.
- The incumbent has an above average understanding of PACS and capable of troubleshooting if minor malfunctions occur in order to maintain workflow. Refers more complex issues/problems to the PACS coordinator for immediate resolution.
- Performs additional duties/functions as required and/or assigned.

Work Schedule: Varied. On call during WHEN hours.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound)
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary