Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies. Veterans' Preference does not apply to this job series. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Job duties include but are not limited to:

• Staff scheduling, coordination, training, and technical operations relating to MIT job duties.
• Provide diagnostic ultrasound technologist services in more complex and non-standard cases.
• Evaluate new products and equipment and make recommendations concerning developments which would improve operations.
• Participating as an instructor in the facility's clinical training program; making final decisions on selections based on recommendations from subordinate staff or leads.
• Evaluating performance; taking disciplinary action when necessary; and identifying educational or training needs for their modality area.
• Serves as Supervisory Medical Instrument Technologist in the General Ultrasound area of the Diagnostic Imaging Service
• Determines staff requirements based on past, present, and future workload patterns and develops the weekly/monthly schedules.
• Organizes staff work assignments for sonographers, including breaks, duty rotation, on-call, and holiday work schedules. Holds staff accountable for workload assignments.
• Coordinates and approves leave requests, i.e., vacation schedules, to maintain optimal staffing levels. Reports performance, conduct issues, absences and tardiness to Supervisor, directs any reassignment of sonographers necessary because of call-ins or increased/decreased workload.
• Develops and manages the department's budget, including equipment acquisition and maintenance.
• Prepares reports and presentations on department performance and activities for senior management.
• Performs ultrasound studies, records, and processes images from the ultrasound units, as well as prepares the order and images for interpretation by the Radiologist.
• Works with the Radiologist, nurse, and pathologist in the performance of invasive procedures in a surgical setting. Performs studies localizing solid/fluid filled areas and needle localization under ultrasound during the performance of punctures and biopsies.
• Assists in obtaining specimens with vacuum assisted biopsy devices and/or biopsy guns.
• Monitors and ensures quality diagnostic services by maintaining high standards of image quality and patient care.
• Ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements, including Joint Commission, OSHA, and other accrediting bodies.
• Serves as the direct Supervisor for all Medical Instrument Technologists (MITs) within General Ultrasound section.
• Works independently as a consultant to Radiology leadership providing guidance on new or updated guidelines, precedents, and regulations.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Functional Statement #: 635-613330

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 identification 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

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.

Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section 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 position.
• 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.
• English Language Proficiency: Candidate must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 Hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation.
All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation.
Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels.
Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the criteria discussed in the applicable headings, or that defined in the appendices, must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Supervisory Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound) - GS-10

Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled AND must fully meet the KSAs at that level.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. KSAs 1, 2, and 3 are appropriate for all positions at this level. KSAs 4 and 5 are to be used in accordance with their appropriateness for the specific assignment.
1. Advanced knowledge of complex and non-standard treatment and examination procedures and techniques.
*2. Ability to plan and assist in the establishment of a completely integrated treatment and examination program.
*3. Ability to evaluate new products and equipment and make recommendations concerning developments which would improve operations.
*4. Ability to manage the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (which would include fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget.
*5. Knowledge of and ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluation; selection of staff; and recommendation of awards, advancements, and, when appropriate, disciplinary actions.

Preferred Experience: Registration by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) is highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) is also desirable

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 the GS-10.

Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to perform all activities of the position without restriction. This position involves heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over); moderate carrying (15-44 lbs.); straight pulling (up to 0.5 hour); pushing (0.5hour); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 4 hours); standing (up to 4 hours); repeated bending (up to 4 hours); both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13"to 16"; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; specific visual requirement; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing without aid; rotate trunk side to side; tactile sensations (hot/cold); rotate forearms; and sit for 50+ minutes; no pacemaker. Environmental factors are constant noise; unusual fatigue factors (on call requirement); working closely with others; working alone; protracted or irregular hours of work and magnetic fields/radio waves.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees.
3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies.

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.