Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound)

Summary The Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound) under general supervision operates ultrasound units to obtain diagnostic images of patients - and to provide guidance for invasive procedures to diagnose and treat disease at the VA Maryland Healthcare System - Perry Point. Qualifications Basic Requirements: CitizenshipCitizenship of the United States(Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part.)EducationThere are no specific educational requirements for this occupationEducation may be substituted for experience only at the GS-4 and GS-5 levelsSee the grade requirements part of this standard for information regarding educational substitutionsLicensure or CertificationLicensure or Certification is not required for this occupationhowever - it is strongly desirable at GS-6 or above as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge - skills - and abilitiesFor 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 desirableTraining which does not result in official certification does not meet this definitionGrandfathering ProvisionMay 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)Physical RequirementsSee VA Directive and Handbook 5019English Language ProficiencyMedical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this partGRADE REQUIREMENTSCertificationRegistration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) is highly desirableBasic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirableGrade Determinations:GS-0649-09 Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound) Experience: One year of experience of the assignments and knowledge - skills and abilities - equivalent to the GS-08 grade level(GS-08 assignments and knowledge - skills and abilities listed below) GS-08 Experience: At this level the technician is required to perform a full range of procedures including special complicated examinations for which there are no standard instructions or proceduresThey perform independent portable ultrasound examinations in the intensive care units - emergency room - surgery - and throughout the Medical Center when requiredThey also work independently on evenings - nights - and weekend tours of duty as scheduled and/or when on callGS-08 Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: Ability to perform diagnostic ultrasound examination on multiple areas of the body - including - but not limited to - the abdomen - pelvis - transvaginal - chest - small parts - thyroid - breast - and scrotumAbility to perform vascular studies such as vertebral - renal artery - aortic aneurysm - portalsystemic shunts - etcAbility to assist radiologists with biopsy procedures determining the location - depth - and required needle angle for the lesion to be sampledAbility to assist in surgical procedures and fluid aspirationsDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: In addition to meeting the experience required for the GS-09 level - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): 1Knowledge 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*2Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements3Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levelsPreferred Experience: Minimum 1 year of experience as a General SonographerReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-9. Duties DUTIES: Receive patients - confirm patient identification - obtain patient history - provide patient education - provide reassurance - and ensure patient comfortContinually assess the condition and needs of patients to ensure patient safety - comfort - and privacyCoordinate care to provide service timely to clinical needsReview exam requests for appropriateness before performing examsUse appropriateness criteria - the clinical history provided on the request - patient interview - chart review or contact with the ordering clinician to clarify as neededPresent unresolvable discrepancies or deficient indications to the Ultrasound Supervisor or a radiologistPerform comprehensive diagnostic ultrasound exams in a variety of outpatient and inpatient settingsExams include - but are not limited to abdomen and pelvis - chest - small parts - musculoskeletal - aortoiliac and venous studiesApply knowledge of anatomy and organ systems to execute appropriate scanning protocols and to modify techniques as needed to optimally demonstrate normal anatomy and pathologySelect appropriate transducers and protocols - and optimize settings to acquire high quality diagnostic imagesRecognize critical results and initiate timely provider notificationConsult with radiologists to review findings or perform additional scanning as neededDocument exams with appropriate still images - and imaging clips by protocolComplete an exam worksheet highlighting normal and abnormal findings with appropriate measurements to facilitate efficient and precise physician interpretationSupport image-guided proceduresFacilitate timely review and scheduling of requested proceduresCoordinate nursing and other support needed from other servicesSet up sterile procedure tablesProvide support to the procedure as the circulator or scrub techSupport includes - applied knowledge of supplies and materials specific to each case - understanding of procedures and sequence of steps in the procedure to anticipate and facilitate the actions of the radiologist or other practitioner - proficient handling of supplies and specimens - and applied knowledge of sterile techniqueReceive cytology specimens and prepare diagnostic smears for interpretationPrepare specimens for transport with appropriate labels and ordersDelivers specimens to lab as neededSupport ultrasound exams and ultrasound-guided procedures from the Women's Health Clinic including - transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound - and ultrasound-guided aspiration and biopsySupport ultrasound-guided procedures by other non-radiologist providers such as for thoracentesis - paracentesis - and percutaneous biopsy and drainageProvide sonography students and residents with an affiliated program didactic and hands-on instruction - ensuring a positive learning experienceProvide oversight of student performance and progress and provide evaluations to program facultyProvide instruction and support of POCUS (Point of Care Ultrasound)Assist non-radiologist users in the effective use of ultrasound including - basic principles - image optimization - scanning technique and other facets of useAdministrative functions: register exams - status track completed exams using compliant CPT codingEnsure completed exams are properly archived both in PACS and VISTA Imaging DisplayApply infection control practices - both general medical center guidelines and those specific to ultrasound such as general transducer disinfection - high level disinfection - transducer covering for sterile proceduresPerform general maintenance on equipment such as warm-up and shutdown sequences - calibration - QC and basic troubleshootingMaintain appropriate logs to document equipment performance historyIdentify deviations from equipment specifications and initiate corrective actionPerform basic troubleshooting on sending images to PACSUse CPRS within scope of technologist duties such as chart review - entering progress notes - patient education notes and policy ordersAssist in QA and QC data collection - and the development and updating of procedure manuals - training programs - new employee orientation materials - patient education materials and other written guidancex Initiate and participate in PI (Performance Improvement) activities using appropriate techniques and measures of improvementMaintain appropriate inventory of supplies and materialsApply stocking procedures to ensure organization and integrity of stock - and removal of outdated itemsPerforms other duties as assignedWork Schedule: Week 1 -Tuesday - Thursday - Friday -8:00am - 4:30pmWeek 2- Tuesday - 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #:260480F