Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Duties will vary based on grade. At the GS-8 full performance level of this assignment, the incumbent will be competent in the production, use, recognition, and analysis of ultrasound images and patterns used for patient diagnosis and treatment. Duties will include:

• 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 .
• 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 to include but not limit to Carotids, Venous imaging of upper and lower extremities.
• Knows and understands the principles of ultrasound and the highly specialized equipment well enough to essentially approve the acceptability or rejectability of each scan. This includes: preparation and supplies, scanning motions, TCG (Time Compensated Gain), Doppler, Doppler color flow, zoom or expansion, hard copy, picture-oriented examination, organ-oriented examination and initial interpretation the examination.
• 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. Enters patient notes into the Computerized Patient Record System.
• 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. Must recognize and report major equipment malfunctions within a timely manner to a biomedical service representative.
• Properly identifies patient images and exams. This is essential so that mistaken identity of films/images/exams to patients does not occur. The ultrasound technician must be certain patient identification and the requests are identical.
• Varies 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. Explains to competent patients the rationale of procedures and instructions on how to complete the procedure. And reports patient history to interpreting radiologists.
• Assists radiologists and other non-radiologic physicians during Ultrasound guided drainages.
• Performs other related duties as deemed necessary such as, but not limited to, answering telephones, assist with scheduling patients, performing inventories, monitoring room utilization, and maintaining equipment maintenance records.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 9-5:30pm or Tuesday-Thursday 8-6:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
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.
• 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 examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.
• 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).

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-8:

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

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.

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.

Physical Requirements: moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds), pushing (2 hours), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking and standing (4 hours), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), exposure to electrical energy, exposure to overuse of arms and shoulders, 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.