Videos

This is an open continuous announcement. The initial cut-off date is 8/30/2020. All eligible applications received by 8/30/2020 will be reviewed and referred upon qualification determinations. Future cut-off dates will occur on 9/30/2020, 11/01/2020, 11/30/2020, 12/28/2020, 1/31/2021 and 2/14/2021. This opportunity will be open until the vacancy is filled.

The practitioner must be competent in the production, use, recognition, and analysis of ultrasound images and patterns used for patient diagnosis and treatment. The sonographer is regarded as the expert source of all ultrasound imaging, and the interpreting radiologist relies heavily on the skills, knowledge, and abilities of the sonographers in providing a final interpretation. Within this specialization there is a diverse range of ultrasound imaging sub-specialties. These include: 1) diagnostic medical sonography - abdominal, neurologic, obstetrical/gynecologic, and ophthalmic; 2) vascular technology - vascular and related organs. The Ultrasound Tech operates independently and without direct supervision as the technologist responsible for the performance and coordination of all Ultrasound examinations. The purpose of these exams is to achieve diagnostic studies so that proper diagnosis and treatment may be effectuated.

MAJOR DUTIES:

• - Performs in a hospital setting all ultrasound examinations ranging from the routine to the highly specialized.
• - Performs a wide range of Diagnostic Abdominal Ultrasound examinations.
• - Performs Ultrasound examinations of the female pelvis to include both trans-abdominal and trans-vaginal imaging.
• - Performs non-invasive Vascular Ultrasound examinations with Doppler interrogation.
• - Knows and understands the principles of ultrasound and the highly specialized equipment well enough to essentially approve the acceptability or rejectability of each scan.
• - Controls technical factors on ultrasound unit, which will affect time, gain, amplitude, velocity, frequency, attenuation, absorption, reflection, scattering, refraction and diffraction.
• - Advises radiologist of results of exams.
• - Maintains effective control of the Ultrasound area by coordinating, planning, organizing and executing the daily work potential to expedite workflow patterns within the departments.
• - Receives and identifies patients, explains methods of procedures, assists movement of patients to and from wheelchairs, carts and tables, positions the patient and performs examinations requested.
• - Coordinates and performs all examination scheduling.
• - Has a thorough knowledge of all Ultrasound procedures and examinations and keeps abreast of technological advances in the field of Ultrasound and incorporates these advances into new examination procedures and in-service educational programs for the radiology technical staff.
• - Maintains a quality assurance program of all ultrasound scanning equipment. Performs preventative maintenance as required.
• - Properly identifies patient images and exams to be certain patient identification and the requests are identical.
• - Ability to vary tests or treatment procedures as needed to compensate for patient's age, individual medical conditions, and body habitus.
• - Interviews patient obtaining pertinent medical history and precise medication usage as it pertains to the procedure to be performed.
• - Knowledge of basic nursing practices and first aid as related to Ultrasound including: emergency cardiac arrest procedures, principles of hypodermic, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous injections and sterile operating procedures.
• - Notifies Radiologist immediately when scans require attention such as ER exams.
• - As patient care needs dictate, the incumbent will perform a variety of diagnostic Ultrasonic exams/procedures both in the department and in the portable setting.
• - Responsible for maintaining adequate supplies used in the department.
• - Responsible for having SPD personnel order and maintain supplies which are used more frequently.
• - Independently adds patients onto the daily schedule.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

1. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
2. Certification: 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. For all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable.
3. 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.

• - Ability to perform diagnostic ultrasound examination on multiple areas of the body, including, but not limited to, the abdomen, pelvis, trans-vaginal, chest, small parts, thyroid, breast, and scrotum.
• - Ability to perform vascular studies such as vertebral, renal artery, aortic aneurysm, portal-systemic shunts, etc.
• - Ability to assist radiologists with biopsy procedures determining the location, depth, and required needle angle for the lesion to be sampled.
• - Ability to assist in surgical procedures and fluid aspirations.
• - Knowledge of cross-sectional and longitudinal vascular anatomy in normal and abnormal vessels, anatomical planes and tissue structures, physiologic effects of disease entities that impact the vascular system, signs and symptoms of acute and chronic vascular disease, and the characteristic appearance of aneurysms, pseudoaneurysms, thromboses, stenoses, occlusions, AV fistulae, and morphology of atherosclerotic plaque formulation.
• - Ability to provide Doppler information of peripheral vessels; demonstrate characteristic differences related to the organs they supply; accurately quantify carotid artery stenoses; and identify and correlate specific waveform analysis, plethysmographic tracings, velocity changes, and pressure gradients characteristic of normal, obstructed, or occluded vessels or grafts.
• - Ability to perform intracranial (transcranial) vascular examinations.
• - Ability to operate the instruments to extract the highest quality image utilizing the appropriate transducer frequency, Doppler angle, focal zones, gain, depth, color map, wall filter, and sample volume.
• - Ability to provide objective data to document progression or regression of disease.
• AND

• - 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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

This is an open continuous announcement. The initial cut-off date is 8/30/2020. All eligible applications received by 8/30/2020 will be reviewed and referred upon qualification determinations. Future cut-off dates will occur on 9/30/2020, 11/01/2020, 11/30/2020, 12/28/2020, 1/31/2021 and 2/14/2021. This opportunity will be open until the vacancy is filled.