Summary

The incumbent works in the Cardiology section. The sonographer has the intimate knowledge of thoracic anatomy and physiology as related to cardiovascular function. Echocardiography technicians identify and record anomalies indicative of disease - injury - or other medically significant condition from ultrasound imaging and simultaneous recordings of the Doppler.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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
• 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 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)
• Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) GS-9 Experience:
• At least 1 year experience comparable to the next lower grade level GS-8 - 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 experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of echocardiography services
• 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 colorflow 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 incompetent valves - chamber enlargement - and pericardial effusion and cardiovascular studies deriving pressure gradients across obstructed valves - etc
• 4
• Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations (including noninvasive) transthoracic - Bubble studies and contrast echocardiography - (invasive) stress echocardiography - and transesophageal echocardiography
• 5
• Ability to adapt transducer positioning - instrument controls - and examination techniques to the individual patient being studied and the problem being evaluated including recognizing pertinent abnormalities and documenting abnormal findings
• In addition to the above - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: 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 Echocardiography
• 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
• Certification: Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) is highly desirable
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable
• Preferred Experience: 3 yrs of Echo scanning experience - Echo registry with either ARDMS or CCI - Accredited Echo focused education
• Reference: 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

Duties

• Practice: a) Performs diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode - 2-D - pulsed and continuous wave Doppler spectral display and color flow Doppler imaging
• b) Performs complex procedures such as cardiac studies of the 4 chambers of the heart and valves using sector scanning techniques to detect stenotic and incompetent valves - chamber enlargement - and pericardial effusion - thrombus and pressure gradients across obstructed valves
• c
• Performs transesophageal echocardiograms dobutamine and exercise stress and 3D echocardiograms
• c) Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations (including noninvasive) transthoracic echocardiography - Bubble studies and contrast echocardiography (invasive) - stress echocardiography - and transesophageal echocardiography
• d) Knowledge of normal echocardiography findings and deviations produced by a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases e) Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements
• f) Ability to interact with patients explaining procedures and positioning and prepping the patient for procedure g) Ability to complete diagnostic studies ordered by and in collaboration with physician on all tours of duty with minimal or no direct supervision
• coordinates appointments/ workload according to appropriateness of patients/ staffing
• h) Adapts transducer positioning - instrument controls and examination techniques to the individual patient and to the problem to be evaluated
• i) Monitors patient's condition during procedures
• j) Manages and Triages inpatient procedure consults on a daily basis
• Ensures that inpatient exams are completed in a timely manner
• k) Accurately documents information in the medical record and any other clinical or administrative applications
• i
• Ability to manage Echocardiography images in Centricity and copy to CD
• l) Technical expert in the operation - calibration and maintenance of the specialized equipment in the ECHO lab
• i
• Performs digital image management and acts as Super User for imaging storage system
• m) Assists billing and coding with interpretation of exams and follow-up on outstanding billing and coding issues
• n) Completes encounters on all ECHOs performed - using the correct CPT codes - diagnosis - Service connection status and other field as required and assists management in overall encounter practices in ECHO section
• Quality Management/Customer Service a) Participates in faculty conferences - task forces - and committees as assigned
• b) Communicates effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels - patients and their families - and customers from outside facilities
• Training a) Precepts new staff and cardiology trainees in their development of echocardiography imaging skills
• b) Serves as a consultant to other health care professionals related to ECHO procedures
• c) Develops - coordinates - or presents educational programs towards improving productivity - patient outcomes - and treatment modalities as needed and assigned
• Other Duties a) Performs dys-synchrony evaluations and assist in the timing delays for Bi Ventricular Pacing
• b) Assists with the scheduling clerk in determining appropriateness of consults - triage - and priority when needed
• c) The Echocardiography technician will assist the charge nurse - supervisor - and RN's with other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: 7:30am- 4:00pm Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 91447-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized