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 include, but not limited to:

• Receive patients, confirm patient identification, obtain patient history, provide patient education, provide reassurance, and ensure patient comfort. Perform fall risk assessment and mobilize appropriate assistive lifting and transfer devices as needed. Apply strategies to reduce risk of falls - remove obstacles and tripping hazards. Continually assess the condition and needs of patients to ensure patient safety, comfort, privacy, and dignity. Coordinate care to provide service timely to the clinical need.
• Review exam requests for appropriateness before performing exams. Use appropriateness criteria, the clinical history provided on the request, patient interview, chart review or contact with the ordering clinician to clarify as needed. Screen for duplicate requests, repeat of a recent exam (either in­house or at an outside facility), or redundant evaluation completed by another imaging modality (e.g., CT, MRI, Radiography). Discontinue duplicate orders. Present unresolvable discrepancies or deficient indications to the Supervisor or a radiologist.
• Apply principles of customer service and whole health to promote a positive patient experience. Assist schedulers in making appointments that are timely, coordinated with other appointments, when possible, to reduce travel burden, and aligned with the overall care plan. Maintain awareness of imaging orders outside the immediate section to ensure completion of as many orders as feasible at the same visit. Inform patients and families in the waiting area when there are delays. Ensure prompt notification of scheduled patients for clinic cancellations and ensure that new appointments are close to the original date, ideally within two weeks. Seek opportunity to assist patient in general ways that may be direct, such as helping them to a nearest restroom, or indirect, such as helping staff from other sections or services who are advocating for a patient.
• Perform general maintenance operations on equipment such as warm-up and shut down sequences, calibration, QC, and basic troubleshooting. Maintain logs to document equipment performance history and malfunctions. Identify deviations from equipment specifications and initiate service or other corrective action. Provide assistance to service engineers, Ol&T staff, and service support with basic troubleshooting on imaging devices, computer systems and PACS to help resolve issues.
• Apply knowledge of the anatomy, organ systems and pathology relevant to ultrasound to ensure proper positioning and settings to optimize images, and to identify critical pathology that requires prompt medical attention. When critical pathology is suspected, alert the radiologist or other provider as appropriate. Modify techniques as needed to optimally demonstrate anatomy or disease. Evaluate exams for diagnostic quality before submitting them for interpretation.
• Demonstrate knowledge of PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication Systems), including fundamental knowledge of network interfaces, routing of images to electronic archives, quality control, and basic troubleshooting. Ensure completed exams are properly archived both in PACS and VISTA Imaging.
• Demonstrate knowledge of sterile technique and concept of the sterile field in both the operating room and ultrasound procedure settings with skill to operate ultrasound equipment while maintaining asepsis. Demonstrate knowledge of infection control practices, including modes of transmission, precautions, and preventive measures.
• Demonstrate knowledge of life support equipment, including QC of crash cart, set-up of oxygen and suction apparatus.
• Demonstrate ability to adhere to Daily Assignments following established SOP's, checklists, protocols, and policies to effectively complete daily assignments.
• Download images onto CD/DVD or other approved storage devices according to established protocols and policies.
• Upload outside images to PACS according to established protocols and policies.
• Apply working knowledge of CPT coding compliance, using appropriate exam codes, and coding resources.
• Use medical center computer systems to perform clinical and administrative duties. Access CPRS for clinical information, to enter progress notes and to enter policy orders. Access the Radiology package of VISTA to schedule exams, register patients, status track completed exams and perform other administrative duties. Access Outlook for internal and external communication. Access other computer applications such as TMS, VA Intranet and other applications relevant to job performance.
• Contribute to QA and QC data collection, and the development and updating of procedure manuals, training programs, new employee orientation materials, patient education materials and other written guidance.
• Maintain ARDMS registry and continuing education requirements.
• Performs other duties, as assigned.

Work Schedule: Intermittent

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

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.
• English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English.

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-9: In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-8 full performance level, positions at this level may be lead, supervisory, or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and duties.

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. This would be specialized experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of diagnostic ultrasonography services. 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. 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 manage and supervise employees.
*5. Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training.

Certification. Registration 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

Preferred Experience: A minimum of 1 year experience post graduation from ultrasound program.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: The physical demand of the work includes heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; pushing up to 4 hours; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers, good dexterity (both hands required); prolonged walking, prolonged standing; repeated bending; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); speed in working; and emotional stability. Must have the ability to stand and work while wearing lead apron for long periods of time.

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.