Clarification from the agency

The first area of consideration will be current permanent facility employees, second consideration will be permanent VA employees, the third will be all other current permanent federal employees, the last area of consideration will be all other US Citizens.

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This Medical Instrument Technician - Diagnostic Ultrasound position is assigned to the Diagnostic Imaging Service at the Mann-Grandstaff Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) in Spokane, Washington. At the full performance level the incumbent is responsible for a variety of duties, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Performs a wide range of Diagnostic Abdominal Ultrasound examinations to include but not limit to the: liver, gallbladder, pancreas, appendix, spleen, kidney's, bladder, aorta, portal vein, Doppler studies of blood flow to and from the major organs, this includes imaging of the scrotum and testicles
• Ultrasound examinations of the female pelvis to include both transabdominal and transvaginal imaging of the vagina, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and surrounding anatomy
• Knows and understands the principles of ultrasound and the highly specialized equipment well enough to essentially approve the acceptability or rejectability of each scan
• 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.
• Controls technical factors on ultrasound unit, which will affect time, gain, amplitude, velocity, frequency, attenuation, absorption, reflection, scattering, refraction and diffraction
• Utilizing the principles of ultrasound and equipment to assess and improve technical quality of each scan. This includes: preparation and supplies, scanning motions, Time Compensated Gain (TCG), zoom or expansion, prospectus, color Doppler, and pulsed echo Doppler, hard copy, picture oriented examination, organ-oriented examination

Work Schedule: Variable hours and days to be discussed upon interview
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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
• This is a Bargaining Unit Position

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/05/2020.
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.

Preferred Experience:
Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable. Certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and or the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) is desirable.

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

GS-7:
(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 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:
(b) 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.

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 ultrasound examinations in complex and unusual cases. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(b) 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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G27, Appendix C

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: Work is performed in a clinic/hospital environment. The work requires moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; pushing intermittent 2 hours in a shift; reaching, to include reaching above shoulder 30 minutes continuous and intermittent 4 hours in a shift; use of fingers and both hands to operate the equipment; intermittent sitting; walking intermittent 4 hours; standing intermittent 4 hours; intermittent bending; and the ability to perform rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. The work requires near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/50 and to 20/100 in the other eye; and the ability to distinguish basic colors. Hearing is required and a hearing aid is permitted to be worn. The incumbent must have mental and emotional stability. The incumbent works closely with others to include patients and staff.

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.