Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. This is a PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT and is open All US Citizens.

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Major duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Clinical Duties
  • Perform ultrasound examinations in a hospital setting, including abdominal, vascular, soft-tissue, and specialty exams. Position and align patients; set up and adjust ultrasound equipment; and manually manipulate transducers to acquire diagnostic images.
  • Apply expert knowledge of normal and abnormal anatomy to obtain pertinent diagnostic views for all requested studies.
  • Adjust and control technical imaging factors such as time, gain, amplitude, velocity, frequency, attenuation, absorption, reflection, scattering, refraction, and diffraction
  • Select appropriate transducers-including non-focused, fixed-focus, linear phased array, and annular phased array-based on examination type and anatomical requirements.
  • Interview patients to obtain pertinent medical history, medication usage, and procedure-specific information. Provide clear explanations of procedures and communicate relevant clinical information to interpreting radiologists.
  • Modify procedures to accommodate differences in patient age, medical conditions, and body habitus.
  • Perform ultrasound examinations both within the department and in portable settings as patient needs dictate.
  • Independently perform duties during off-tour hours, weekends, holidays, and on-call assignments.
• Workflow and Administrative Duties
  • Coordinate, plan, organize, and execute daily workflow in the Ultrasound area. Maintain a daily log of patients and procedures.
  • Schedule patient examinations and prioritize urgent or emergent cases appropriately.
  • Enter patients and exam data accurately into the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and maintain complete records of examinations performed.
  • Ensure proper patient identification and image labeling, preventing mistaken identity of exams.
  • Maintain adequate supplies, pharmaceuticals, and materials used in the department. Coordinate ordering with SPD as required.
  • Conduct or assist with telephone coverage, scheduling, inventory activities, room utilization tracking, and equipment maintenance documentation.
  • Participate in departmental quality improvement, safety protocols, and compliance with all regulatory requirements.
• Education and Training
  • Maintain thorough and current knowledge of all ultrasound procedures.
  • Keep abreast of new technologies, techniques, and best practices in Ultrasonography.
  • Incorporate new advancements into updated procedure protocols and provide in-service education for radiology technical staff.
  • Supervise and train ultrasound and radiologic technology students, as well as volunteers assigned to the area.

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.

• 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.

Qualifications

This is an open continuous announcement. Applicants in USA Staffing will be qualified based on the resume submitted and qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager every 1-2 weeks until the announcement is closed, cancelled, or filled.

All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package. We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications. Failure to clearly demonstrate your experience in your application package may result in disqualification. All applicants are encouraged to submit responses to each Knowledge, Skill, and Ability (KSA) on a separate document.

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.
• English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

• Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-8), which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. This would be specialized experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of diagnostic ultrasonography services:
  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.

• 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. Knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques in order to provide training and supervision in these procedures, to evaluate and initiate performance improvement projects, and to write policies, procedures, and protocols that pertain to diagnostic ultrasonography.
  2. Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements.
  3. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels.
  4. Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training.
• Certification: Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) is highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable.

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.