Clarification from the agency

This Job announcement is open to the PUBLIC 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:
The duties include, but are not limited too:

• Echocardiography Technician is under the general supervision of the Supervisory Echocardiography Technician.
• The employee is responsible for planning and carrying out their assignment, resolving independently most of the conflicts that arise, coordinating with VA staff and affiliates as necessary, and interpreting policy on own initiative in terms of established objectives.
• The Echo Technician keeps the Supervisory Echo Technician informed of progress and potentially controversial matters.
• Duties include providing Echo services in more complex cases.
• The Echo Technician performs studies independent of physician over-the shoulder supervision.
• Although each study follows an overall standard format approved by the Chief of Cardiology, he/she is expected to modify the study to demonstrate any unexpected abnormalities encountered during the study.
• In practically all cases the Echo Technician handles all problems and deviations, rarely consulting the physician.
• The Echo Tech communicates life-threatening abnormalities and critical results to the appropriate physician(s) in a timely manner.
• The Echo Technician must have knowledge of regulatory requirements for Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and lab accreditation issues (IAC).
• In the absence of the Supervisory Echo Tech, the GS-8 Echo Technician may be asked to assume the responsibilities of supervising the Echo lab if need be.
• The incumbent must assist the supervisor in writing lab procedures, protocols and policies for Quality Assurance and IAC accreditation (as needed), in addition to assisting with special projects and database operations.

Work Schedule: TOD 10 hours, 4 days a week
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 0000

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

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.

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.

Certification. No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification and registered by either ARDMS as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer or CCI as a Registered Cardiac Sonographer.

Grade Determinations:

GS-8
Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level of GS-7 which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. Examples of this specialized experience include, but not limited too: perform a range of standard, but complex, echocardiographic examinations with responsibility for calibrating all instruments prior to the procedure, expected to keep an accurate record of tests, daily logs, and videotapes, and maintain cidex logs.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
1. Ability to produce diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode, two-dimensional, pulsed and continuous wave Doppler spectral display, and color flow Doppler imaging. Ability to produce diagnostic quality, 3D imaging, dynamic heart model, and strain imaging when needed.
2. Knowledge of normal echocardiographic findings and deviations produced by a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases.
3. Ability to perform complex procedures such as cardiac studies of the four chambers of the heart and valves using sector scanning techniques to detect stenotic and incompetent valves, chamber enlargement, and pericardial effusion and cardiovascular studies deriving pressure gradients across obstructed valves, etc.
4. Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations (including noninvasive) transthoracic, Bubble studies and contrast echocardiography, (invasive) stress echocardiography, and assist with transesophageal echocardiography.
5. Ability to adapt transducer positioning, instrument controls, and examination techniques to the individual patient being studied and the problem being evaluated including recognizing pertinent abnormalities and documenting abnormal findings.

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: Essential requirements include, bending, pushing, pulling, reaching and occasional kneeling, crawling and squatting; lifting, carrying, bending, and manipulation of equipment; patient assistance and positioning; walking and prolonged standing; the ability to read written orders, computer screens, patient records, and equipment controls; and the ability to communicate with patients, physicians, and coworkers. Near visual acuity to assess patient's physical condition when performing exams and evaluating images for diagnostic quality. Must be able to speak and hear to communicate with patients. Must have the ability to make critical decisions, interact with patients of different ages and health conditions, maintain patient confidentiality and work under stressful conditions

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.