Clarification from the agency

The area of consideration will be referred in the following order: 1. Current permanent Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center employee. 2. Current permanent Agency (Department of Veterans Affairs) employees 3. Current permanent other Federal Agency employees Veterans' Preference: - Does not apply to this announcement per OCHCO Bulletin, Annual Determination of Staffing Shortages, dated October 1, 2024 - Does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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Functions:

• Performs in a hospital or clinical setting all ultrasound examinations ranging from the routine to the highly specialized
• Sets up and adjusts all equipment and manually maneuvers the transducer to perform the exam
• Responsible for obtaining pertinent diagnostic examinations through knowledge of both normal and abnormal human anatomy
• Performs a wide range of Diagnostic Abdominal Ultrasound examinations
• Performs ultrasound examinations of the female pelvis to include both transabdominal and transvaginal imaging of the vagina, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and surrounding anatomy
• 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 reject ability of each scan
• Controls technical factors on ultrasound unit, which will affect time, gain, amplitude, velocity, frequency, attenuation, absorption, reflection, scattering, refraction and diffraction
• Selects between non-focused, fixed-focus, linear phased array and annular phased array, transducers depending on the examination and the anatomy to be imaged
• Advises radiologist or referring physician 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
• Evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures and rearranges priorities to accommodate them
• Maintains records of patients treated, exams performed, scans taken, etc.
• 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
• Manages and trains rotating x-ray and ultrasound students and technologists in ultrasound
• Manages and trains volunteers working within the Ultrasound Department
• Maintains a quality assurance program of all ultrasound scanning equipment, TV and video and cameras
• Performs preventative maintenance as required
• Troubleshoots equipment used in Ultrasound and is able to make minor repairs and/or adjustments
• Exercises extreme caution in the handling and safeguarding of all equipment
• Properly identifies patient images and exams
• Interviews patient obtaining pertinent medical history and precise medication usage as it pertains to the procedure to be performed
• Assists radiologists and other non-radiologic physicians during Ultrasound guided biopsies, drainages, and aspirations
• Perform a variety of diagnostic Ultrasonic exams/ procedures both in the department and in the portable setting
• Maintains adequate supplies and pharmaceuticals used in the department
• Responsible for having Sterile Processing Services (SPS) personnel order and maintain supplies
• Performs duties/ procedures on a weekly rotating basis
• Manages and trains all ultrasound and radiologic technology students and manages the work of volunteers

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:30pm, with option of Tuesday - Friday, 8:00am - 6:30pm
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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. See the grade requirements part of this standard for information regarding educational substitutions.
• 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. 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".
  • For all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition.
  • Titles and Certification/Registrations: Diagnostic Ultrasound Technicians operate diagnostic ultrasonic scanning equipment to produce cross sectional and two dimensional pictures of internal organs and body structures used to diagnose diseases and other medical conditions. Registration is offered by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS). (See Appendix C)
• 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).

Grade Determinations:
GS-6:
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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy in order to receive and interpret physician requests for routine, standardized ultrasonography procedures.
2. Knowledge of tissue harmonics and soundwave propagation within the body to adjust TGC (Time Gain Compensation) for optimal image quality.
3. Knowledge of the physics of velocity, frequency of soundwaves, and their physical properties.
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 standardized, routine procedures.
5. Ability to interact with patients explaining procedures and positioning the patient for the procedure.

Certification: Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable.

Assignment: At this level, medical instrument technicians (diagnostic ultrasound) perform examinations which are routine and standardized in nature. They position the patient as needed for the best test results, set up and adjust the ultrasound equipment to meet the condition of the examination and patient, move and adjust depths and types of scan in accordance with procedures, perform operator preventive maintenance and care of equipment, and assist higher graded technicians in performing more complicated examinations.

GS-7:
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 individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to independently conduct difficult but standardized diagnostic ultrasonography examinations. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. 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.
2. Knowledge of zoom, expansion, prospectus, color Doppler, and pulsed echo Doppler.
3. Knowledge of the digital transmission of images.
4. Ability to alter standard, but complex procedures and protocols to meet patient needs and physical limitations.

Certification: Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable.

Assignment: At this level the medical instrument technician (diagnostic ultrasound) performs complex, standardized procedures independently. They have the knowledge to alter procedures, equipment settings, transducers used, etc., to accommodate patient needs and still produce a quality image for diagnostic purposes. They will also be required to assist with the performance of more complicated procedures and non- standardized procedures in a developmental capacity.

GS-8:
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 ultrasound examinations in complex and unusual cases. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. 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 scrotum.
2. Ability to perform vascular studies such as vertebral, renal artery, aortic aneurysm, portal-systemic shunts, etc.
3. Ability to assist radiologists with biopsy procedures determining the location, depth, and required needle angle for the lesion to be sampled.
4. Ability to assist in surgical procedures and fluid aspirations.

Certification: Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable.

Assignment: This represents the full performance level for medical instrument technician (diagnostic ultrasound). 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 procedures. They perform independent portable ultrasound examinations in the intensive care units, emergency room, surgery, and throughout the Medical Center when required. They also work independently on evenings, nights, and weekend tours of duty as scheduled and/or when on call.

Preferred Experience: Experience scanning abdomen, limited vascular, carotid studies, and small parts

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-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-6 to GS-8

Physical Requirements:
Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds); Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds); Pushing; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking; Standing; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted)

Environmental Factors:
Electrical Energy; Unusual fatigue factors, Overuse of arm (shoulder/wrist); Working closely with others; Working alone

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, resume, 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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.