Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound)

About the role

The MIT Ultrasound Diagnostic position is in the Clinical Support ICC Imaging Service, Ultrasound Section at the Syracuse VAMC. The Syracuse VAMC is a tertiary care facility providing acute medical, surgical, rehabilitative, emergency, and intensive care/services; in addition to a vast array of outpatient specialty service, spinal cord injury center, and extensive primary care and specialty program/services.

Responsibilities

• Gathers related information such as patient electronic chart, PACS images, so that correlation of examinations to other studies may be made by the radiologist in diagnosis and treatment recommendation for medical disorder(s).
• Performs non-vascular ultrasound examinations of the neck, chest, abdomen & pelvis for the purpose of acquiring high quality examinations that assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patient medical disorders.
• Performs complex vascular ultrasound examination of the abdomen, neck, chest and extremities for the purpose of acquiring high quality examinations that assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patient medical disorders.
• Makes multiple simultaneous settings and adjustments in operation of equipment to ensure accurate results. On the basis of radiologic findings, determines necessary ultrasonic procedures to yield definitive diagnostic findings.
• Uses independent interpretation of the ultrasound image. Advises radiologists, vascular physician or referring physician of significant abnormalities that would require their immediate attention and visualization while the patient is undergoing the examination.
• Distributes ultrasound examinations and related information in a timely manner to the radiologist responsible for the interpretation of the exams.
• Maintains accurate ultrasound records for easy recall access to include maintaining a diagnostic log, patient schedule log and procedures log; editing and when necessary registering patients in the Radiology Information System (RIS).
• Maintains adequate supplies and equipment.
• Maintains records and files of exams performed on patients. Edits and when necessary registers patients in the computerized VISTA system as well as the work list management portion of the HIS-RIS interface.
• Performs digital transfer of images from the various ultrasound imaging systems to the PACS.
• Assists quality assurance testing on the ultrasound unit to ensure peak performance of the ultrasound equipment and maintains quality assurance records.
• Performs housekeeping duties to assure the ultrasound area is clean and sanitary and uses aseptic techniques in examination process.
• Stays current on changing and new developments in the field.
• Provides staff and student training on ultrasound procedures/processes.

Requirements

Intermittent, days and hours to be determined by the needs of the service.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Licensure or Certification: 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 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).
• 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 (*):
• 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.
• Certification: Registration by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) with certification in Sonography or Vascular Sonography, or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS), preferably in AB or VT. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable.