Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography)

About the role

The Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) will identify and record anomalies indicative of disease - injury or other medically significant conditions from ultrasound imaging and simultaneous recordings of the doppler. They incorporate the causes and results of a variety of symptoms and conditions into a plan of ultrasonic diagnostic examination.

Responsibilities

• The cardiac sonographer scans independently and rarely needs assistance
• Has excellent knowledge of clinical cardiology and ultrasound and Doppler principles
• Must use problem solving skills to optimize the evaluation and adjust the exam to ensure that it is comprehensive and accurate
• Records and interprets the results of the exam and presents information and/or possible diagnosis to interpreting physician
• Performs 2D - 3D - heart model - MMode - continuous wave and pulse wave Doppler and color flow exams
• Performs Transthoracic (TTE) examinations
• Operates echo equipment for Transesophageal Echo (TEE) - as well as set up tray - including for contrast injections - for TEE - as well as operate equipment during procedure
• Starts IVs and injects imaging agent and agitated saline for bubble studies
• Changes and develops sounding techniques to accommodate variables such as limited patient mobility, variation in physical condition or dimension of the patient, presence of prosthesis or foreign objects, and ultrasonic response of different body parts
• Produces diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency recordings using M-mode, two-dimensional, and Doppler ultrasound

Qualifications

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. 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. Grade Determinations: Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) -GS-8 (a) Experience: 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. This would be experience which provided the overall knowledge - skills - and abilities to conduct diagnostic echocardiography examinations in complex and unusual cases. In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: GS-7 KSA's 1) Ability to scan transthoracic echocardiograms in all views with color flow and some Doppler. 2) Ability to conduct cardiac testing to determine the severity and variety of cardiac problems - i.e. - valvular dysfunction - myocardial wall kinesia - effusions - endocardial lesions - etc. 3) Knowledge of the set-up for transesophageal echocardiograms. 4) Ability to set up and adjust the ultrasound equipment to meet the conditions of the examination and the patient and to operate the equipment for more complex - but standardized procedures. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: 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 incompet