Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound)

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. This position is open to all US Citizens. CRITICAL SHORTAGE LIST: 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference to external applicants for appointments made during the fiscal year to hybrid title 38 occupations among those reported to have the largest staffing shortages.

DUTIES:

• Receive patients, confirm patient identification, obtain patient history, provide patient education, provide reassurance, and ensure patient comfort. Continually assess the condition and needs of patients to ensure patient safety, comfort, and privacy. Coordinate care to provide service timely to clinical needs.
• 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. Present unresolvable discrepancies or deficient indications to the Ultrasound Supervisor or a radiologist.
• Perform comprehensive diagnostic ultrasound exams in a variety of outpatient and inpatient settings. Exams include, but are not limited to abdomen and pelvis, chest, small parts, musculoskeletal, aortoiliac and venous studies. Apply knowledge of anatomy and organ systems to execute appropriate scanning protocols and to modify techniques as needed to optimally demonstrate normal anatomy and pathology. Select appropriate transducers and protocols, and optimize settings to acquire high quality diagnostic images. Recognize critical results and initiate timely provider notification. Consult with radiologists to review findings or perform additional scanning as needed. Document exams with appropriate still images, and imaging clips by protocol. Complete an exam worksheet highlighting normal and abnormal findings with appropriate measurements to facilitate efficient and precise physician interpretation.
• Support image-guided procedures. Facilitate timely review and scheduling of requested procedures. Coordinate nursing and other support needed from other services. Set up sterile procedure tables. Provide support to the procedure as the circulator or scrub tech. Support includes, applied knowledge of supplies and materials specific to each case, understanding of procedures and sequence of steps in the procedure to anticipate and facilitate the actions of the radiologist or other practitioner, proficient handling of supplies and specimens, and applied knowledge of sterile technique. Receive cytology specimens and prepare diagnostic smears for interpretation. Prepare specimens for transport with appropriate labels and orders. Delivers specimens to lab as needed.
• Support ultrasound exams and ultrasound-guided procedures from the Women's Health Clinic including, transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound, and ultrasound-guided aspiration and biopsy.
• Support ultrasound-guided procedures by other non-radiologist providers such as for thoracentesis, paracentesis, and percutaneous biopsy and drainage.
• Provide sonography students and residents with an affiliated program didactic and hands-on instruction, ensuring a positive learning experience. Provide oversight of student performance and progress and provide evaluations to program faculty.
• Provide instruction and support of POCUS (Point of Care Ultrasound). Assist non-radiologist users in the effective use of ultrasound including, basic principles, image optimization, scanning technique and other facets of use.
• Administrative functions: register exams, status track completed exams using compliant CPT coding. Ensure completed exams are properly archived both in PACS and VISTA Imaging Display.
• Apply infection control practices, both general medical center guidelines and those specific to ultrasound such as general transducer disinfection, high level disinfection, transducer covering for sterile procedures.
• Perform general maintenance on equipment such as warm-up and shutdown sequences, calibration, QC and basic troubleshooting. Maintain appropriate logs to document equipment performance history. Identify deviations from equipment specifications and initiate corrective action. Perform basic troubleshooting on sending images to PACS.
• Use CPRS within scope of technologist duties such as chart review, entering progress notes, patient education notes and policy orders.
• Assist in 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. x Initiate and participate in PI (Performance Improvement) activities using appropriate techniques and measures of improvement.
• Maintain appropriate inventory of supplies and materials. Apply stocking procedures to ensure organization and integrity of stock, and removal of outdated items.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Week 1 -Tuesday, Thursday, Friday -8:00am - 4:30pm. Week 2- Tuesday - 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:260480F

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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/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 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

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

Citizenship. Citizenship of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.).

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.

Grandfathering Provision. 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).

Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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.

GRADE REQUIREMENTS.

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.

Grade Determinations:GS-0649-09 Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound)

• Experience: One year of experience of the assignments and knowledge, skills and abilities, equivalent to the GS-08 grade level. (GS-08 assignments and knowledge, skills and abilities listed below)
  • GS-08 Experience: At this level the technician is required to perform a full range of procedures including special complicated examinations for which there are no standard instructions or procedures. They perform independent portable ultrasound examinations in the intensive care units, emergency room, surgery, and throughout the Medical Center when required. They also work independently on evenings, nights, and weekend tours of duty as scheduled and/or when on call.
  • GS-08 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
    • 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.
    • Ability to perform vascular studies such as vertebral, renal artery, aortic aneurysm, portal­systemic shunts, etc.
    • Ability to assist radiologists with biopsy procedures determining the location, depth, and required needle angle for the lesion to be sampled.
    • Ability to assist in surgical procedures and fluid aspirations.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to meeting the experience required for the GS-09 level, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):
  • 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.

Preferred Experience: Minimum 1 year of experience as a General Sonographer.

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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-9.

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.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)

RESUME REQUIREMENTS: Your resume must include the following information:
Contact information: including email address and phone number
Job Title and Employer (for each position)
Description of duties (be as detailed as possible)
Month and year start/end dates (e.g. June 2018 to April 2020) of employment
Full-time or part-time status (include average hours worked per week)

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Professional References: Please provide contact information for one current/former supervisor and two professional reference who can speak to your qualifications and work performance
• Other (2)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Next steps