Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) Job in Cincinnati, OH

Summary

This job is open to

• The public

  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

• Federal employees - Competitive service

  Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.

• Federal employees - Excepted service

  Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.

Duties

The major duties of the Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) include:

- Maintain the skill and ability to set up, clean up and assist Cardiologists in performing complete Transesophageal biplane echocardiograms (TEE) in order to visualize all cardiac structures with 2D real time imaging, M-mode, Color flow Doppler, Pulse wave Doppler, Continuous wave Doppler and 3D imaging modes.
- Possess the skill and ability to carry out the most complex laboratory procedures by performing 3D Cardiac ultrasounds including 3D Transthoracic echocardiograms (3D TTE) and 3D Transesophageal echocardiograms (3D TEE).
- Possess knowledge of the following:

• The complete cardiovascular system, normal variants and deviations produced by a wide variety of cardiovascular disease processes and the skill to instantaneously recognize those variations; i.e. Cardiomyopathies, valvular disease and congenital abnormalities.
• Recognition of cardiac cross-sectional anatomy and pathophysiology, particularly pertaining to intracardiac structures viewed from numerous angles and planes, to recognize anatomic features, motion characteristics and pathology in order to optimally image the heart for diagnostic results.
• The more complex examinations, non-standard treatment procedures and techniques.
• Cardiac arrhythmias and their relationship to hemodynamic conditions of the cardiac cycle.
• Normal and abnormal Electrocardiograms (ECG such as: bundle branch block, Wolff-Parkinson-white syndrome, ventricular ectopy, atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter).

• Set up and adjust the ultrasound equipment to meet the conditions of each specific examination and each individual patient to obtain diagnostic quality images.
• Adapt the transducer positioning, instrument controls and examination techniques to the individual patient being scanned and the problem being evaluated. Including recognizing pertinent abnormalities and documenting abnormal findings.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with patients explaining procedures and with employees at varying professional levels. The patient population treated is at high risk for cardiopulmonary arrest and the sonographer must be competent to assist with the rescue during these events.
• Perform complex procedures such as cardiac ultrasound studies of the four chambers of the heart and valves using sector scanning techniques to detect cardiac disease such as stenosis and/or incompetent valves, chamber enlargement and
  pericardial effusion. Cardiac ultrasound studies deriving velocities and pressure gradients across all cardiac valves to assess for degree of obstruction or regurgitation.
• Recognize life threatening echocardiogram findings, i.e. cardiac tamponade.
• Adapt each echocardiogram accordingly with non-standard acoustic window availability providing non-standard images in order to thoroughly evaluate and answer the clinical question.
• Correctly identify which echocardiogram calculations are clinically indicated and properly perform all measurements and calculations for each individual cardiac ultrasound.
• Evaluate new products and equipment to make recommendations concerning developments which would improve diagnostic quality, more efficient collection and analysis of cardiac ultrasound data.
• Respond to Cardiac emergencies with cardiac ultrasound guidance when needed.

Requirements

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.
• You may be required to serve a trial period.
• 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 medical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

How You Will Be Evaluated

Required Documents

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/27/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12759237.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.