Clarification from the agency

This vacancy announcement is open to current permanent employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and current permanent Federal Employees. 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 may include but are not limited to:

• Advises referring physicians of significant abnormalities that would require their immediate attention and visualization while the patient is undergoing examination.
• Performs ultrasound examinations of the abdomen, neck, chest and extremities, retroperitoneal space for the purpose of acquiring high quality examinations that assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patient medical disorders. Tests routinely performed may include, but are not limited to, upper and lower extremity, velocity waveform analysis, segmental limb pressures, venous duplex color flow imaging, photoplethysmography, cerebrovascular studies, graft surveillance, saphenous and cephalic vein mapping and other miscellaneous Doppler ultrasound examinations.
• Participates in the training of physicians, students and radiology technicians so that these individuals may acquire an understanding of the principles of ultrasound and how it relates to other diagnostic exams.
• Performs routine clerical procedures for the purpose of maintaining accurate ultrasound records. This requires maintaining a diagnostic log, patient schedule log, and procedure log, editing and when appropriate registering patients in the Radiology Information System (RIS). Schedules tests in a manner to optimize all vascular procedures and the coordination of equipment, while maintaining flexibility to allow for emergency cases.
• Makes multiple simultaneous settings and adjustments in operation of equipment to insure accurate results. On the basis of radiologic findings, determines necessary ultrasonic procedures to yield definitive diagnostic findings. The incumbent operates diagnostic equipment using ultrasound to record vascular information such as vascular blood flow, blood pressure, limb volume changes, oxygen saturation, cerebral circulation, peripheral circulation, and abdominal circulation.
• Reviews new developments in the field and recommends to supervisor those that would improve the operation of the section.
• May be required to perform diagnostic radiographic examinations, as needed.
• Maintains adequate supplies so that examinations are not delayed due to the lack of necessary equipment and supplies.
• Develops and maintains patient prep procedures so that patients and wards understand the proper preparations for ultrasound examinations in an effort to minimize procedure delays. These preps are disseminated either by written preparation information or by telephone conversation.
• Explains the procedure to the patient so that an understanding of the purpose of the study as well as any requirements of the patients are thoroughly understood. This is done so that an adequate ultrasound study may be obtained in an effort to obtain diagnostic examinations for the purpose of treatment and diagnosis of the disorders.
• Gathers related information such as patient clinical history x-rays, etc., to ensure appropriate indications are present for testing and correlation of examinations to other studies can be made by the radiologist or referring physician in diagnosis and recommendation of treatment for their medical disorders. If no indications are noted, the technologist is responsible for contacting the physician to confirm that the proper procedure has been requested.
• Operates multi-image camera for the purpose of ultrasound examinations so that future ultrasound examinations may be compared.
• Duties continued in the Qualifications section.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm
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). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
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.
Functional Statement #:53885-F
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.
• 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

Duties Continued:

• Assists quality assurance technologists in performing quality assurance testing on the equipment using phantoms, test tools, test check lists, etc. for the purpose of assuring peak performance of the ultrasound equipment. Maintains records of the quality assurance testing so that easy reference is available should servicing be necessary.
• The incumbent must produce accurate tracings, be able to interpret results, and be able to recognize serious problems. Technologist's interpretation of the data becomes the basis for a medical diagnosis.
• Performs or supervises routine housekeeping duties to assure that the ultrasound area is clean and sanitary. This is done so that when sterile procedures are required in the ultrasound area, there is minimal possibility of cross contamination due to unsanitary conditions.
• The incumbent must be aware of and practice the safety policies/procedures of the ALM HOSPITAL, and participate in quality assurance activities as directed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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.
• Certification. All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Radiography (ARRT) (R) (S), [ (VS)].
• Education. Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months in duration (or the equivalent) in a post-high school diagnostic radiologic technology program, evidenced by a certificate or an associate degree, accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) or from other accrediting agencies as recognized by the Department of Education (DOE).
• Credentialing Standards. Public Law 97-35, the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of 1981, requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75, Standards for the Accreditation of Educational Programs and the Credentialing of Radiographic Personnel. Essentially, they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation, and is accredited by an organization recognized by the Department of Education, and be certified as radiographers in their field.
• English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and7407(d).

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:
Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-08 or the equivalent, directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.

Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):

1. *Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures.
2. Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record, significant others, and health care providers.
3. *Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure.
4. Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography.
5. Knowledge of physical assessment, aseptic techniques, intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions.
6. Knowledge of pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural care of patients.

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.

Preferred Experience:

• Vascular ultrasound experience.

Physical Requirements:

• Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds
• Light carrying, under 15-pounds
• Straight pulling, 2-hours
• Pushing, 4-hours
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking, 2-hours
• Standing, 2-hours
• Kneeling, 2-hours
• Repeated bending, 2-hours
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other
• Both eyes required
• Hearing (aid may be permitted)
• Mental and emotional stability

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.