Med Instrument Tech (Diagnostic Ultra Sound)

About the role

The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) - Diagnostic - Vascular - and Breast Ultrasound position is assigned to the Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Service at the Fredericksburg Healthcare Center. MIT's at this level perform the complete spectrum of General - Vascular and Breast Ultrasound Imaging.

Responsibilities

• Performs all ultrasound examinations - including Vascular Imaging - ranging from the routine to the highly specialized
• Sets up and adjusts all equipment and manually maneuvers the transducer to perform the exam
• Performs ultrasound examinations of the breast - axillary - abdomen - neck - chest - extremities - trans vesical/transvaginal pelvis imaging - and retroperitoneal space for purpose of acquiring high quality examinations that assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patient medical disorders
• Performs vascular imaging - both arterial and venous
• Performs contrast enhanced ultrasound
• Performs Ultrasound Elastography
• Performs Breast sonography which includes - but is not limited to diagnostic - axillary - and screening
• Experienced in the preparation and set up of procedures
• Aids with pre and post procedure patient care for ultrasound guided procedures - such as breast and axillary biopsies and ultrasound guided localization procedures
• Evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures and rearranges priorities to accommodate them
• Interprets the requests or instructions from the radiologist or clinician
• Controls technical factors on ultrasound unit - which will affect time - gain - amplitude - velocity - frequency - attenuation - absorption - reflection - scattering - refraction and diffraction
• Selects between non-focused - fixed-focus - linear phased array - an annular phased array
• Demonstrates skills in performing complex ultrasound procedures including color flow - Doppler carotid and arterial Doppler exams
• Works independently on evenings - nights - and weekend tours of duty as scheduled and/or when on call

Requirements

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
• 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 as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge - skills - and abilities
• Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or by the 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
• 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
• 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)

Qualifications

Grade Determinations: Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound) Must have at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled

Examples of specialized experience include - and are not limited to:

• This represents the full performance level for medical instrument technician (diagnostic ultrasound)
• The technician is required to perform a full range of procedures including special complicated examinations for which there are no standard instructions or procedures
• They perform independent portable ultrasound examinations in the intensive care units - emergency room - surgery - and throughout the Medical Center when required
• They also work independently on evenings - nights - and weekend tours of duty as scheduled and/or when on call
• Demonstrates 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
• 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

Skills

Knowledge of image acquisition in Ultrasound - and Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) and can carry out his/her assignment independently

Knowledge of the principles of ultrasound and the highly specialized ultrasound equipment to approve the acceptability or reject ability of each scan

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

Benefits

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties may include but are not limited to:

• The technician requires knowledge of image acquisition in Ultrasound - and Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) and can carry out his/her assignment independently
• Performs all ultrasound examinations - including Vascular Imaging - ranging from the routine to the highly specialized
• Sets up and adjusts all equipment and manually maneuvers the transducer to perform the exam
• Performs ultrasound examinations of the breast - axillary - abdomen - neck - chest - extremities - trans vesical/transvaginal pelvis imaging - and retroperitoneal space for purpose of acquiring high quality examinations that assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patient medical disorders
• Performs vascular imaging - both arterial and venous
• Performs contrast enhanced ultrasound
• Performs Ultrasound Elastography
• Performs Breast sonography which includes - but is not limited to diagnostic - axillary - and screening
• Experienced in the preparation and set up of procedures
• Aids with pre and post procedure patient care for ultrasound guided procedures - such as breast and axillary biopsies and ultrasound guided localization procedures
• Evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures and rearranges priorities to accommodate them
• Interprets the requests or instructions from the radiologist or clinician
• Controls technical factors on ultrasound unit - which will affect time - gain - amplitude - velocity - frequency - attenuation - absorption - reflection - scattering - refraction and diffraction
• Selects between non-focused - fixed-focus - linear phased array - an annular phased array
• Demonstrates skills in performing complex ultrasound procedures including color flow - Doppler carotid and arterial Doppler exams
• Works independently on evenings - nights - and weekend tours of duty as scheduled and/or when on call

Pay

Competitive salary and regular salary increases

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)

Schedule

Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm

Benefits

• Annual leave - 13-26 days
• Sick leave - 13 days
• 11 paid Federal holidays per year
• 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
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting)
• Federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA