Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This job is open to all US Citizens.

*** THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO ALL US CITIZENS. HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE A CURRENT VA EMPLOYEE OR EMPLOYEE WHO WORKS FOR ANY FEDERAL AGENCY PLEASE APPLY UNDER ANNOUNCEMENT CBTC-12888975-26-LS***

The Echocardiography Technician functions independently as a member of the cardiovascular lab under the supervision of the nurse manager. The technician works with the patient care team that includes registered nurses, cardiovascular technologists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other providers. The incumbent is responsible for assisting to develop and implement systems to assure the smooth and efficient flow of patients for procedures in the Cardiovascular Lab.

The Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• The Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography)does basic preliminary report InXcelera for Echo procedures completed.
• Echo Techs that regularly rotate In Broward (William Kling) Clinic evaluates (Triage)Broward Clinic patients if their Echo is needed to be done at Miami VA for Contrast Echo o Bubble Study. Contrast guidelines may include: CABG1 Obesity, Severe COPD, Severe Aortic Stenosis, Heart Valve Replc1cement, CHF, etc, or suspect PFO/ Stroke for Bubble study.
• Educate and help train Cardiology fellows and Residents about Echocardiography. Educate them on the transducer location for different Echographic views and the knobology location of the Ultrasound machine. Teach them knobology, optimization for different procedures such as Stress Echo, Contrast, Bubble studies, etc.
• The Medical Instrument ·Technician (Echocardiography) has the ability to produce diagnostic quality Images and Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode,two0dimenslonal1 (3D) three-dimensional, pulsed and continuous wave Doppler spectral display, and color flow.
• Perform complex procedures such ·as cardiac studies of the four.
• Chambers of the heart and valves using sector scanning techniques to detect stenotic and Incompetent valves, chamber enlargement, and pericardia I effusion and cardiovascular studies deriving pressure gradients across obstructed valves, etc.
• The incumbent performing measurements of cardiac structures and Doppler blood flow velocities using the software on the echocardiography machine and image · analysis · ·workstation. This Includes but not limited to: 1) Color flow of mitral, aortic, tricuspid and· pulmonic valves. 2) M-Mode, Continuous Wave and Pulsed Wave Doppler tracing and measurements of mitral, aortic, tricuspid and pulmonic valves. 3) Tissue Doppler 4) Strain rate 5) Calculating aortic ·and mitral valve area 7) Cardiac output8) Computer image processing of digital data 9) Right ventricular Systolic Pressure 10) Right Ventricular strain. 11) Bl-plane (modified Simpson's rule) Imaging 12) Set up patients for Stress Echo.
• Operates continuous wave doppler with color flow mapping.
• Trains other staff including physicians and medical students, relevant to ultrasound such as appearance and functions of various systems and the physical abnormalities.
• Performs basic maintenance of ultrasound equipment on a regular basis and notifies supervisor of any equipment problems.
• Maintains adequate stock of equipment.
• Consults with cardiologist and/or physician regarding interpretation of echo testing results.
• Schedules and prioritizes patients for echocardiograms studies.
• Screens echo consults to determine if patient requires urgent evaluation.
• Maintains patient log upon completion of exam.
• Labels videotape of completed exam.
• Provides a preliminary report of the echocardiogram prior to review by cardiologist and/or physician.
• Files completed reports in appropriate locations and maintains a copy of all exams within the Cardiopulmonary Department.
• Receives information and keep abreast of new developments in the field and makes recommendations as to how improvements might be made to operate the section.
• Other tasks/duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 am to 4:00 pm
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 30357F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical 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

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Grade Determinations:

GS-9-Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography):

Experience: At least one year 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. KSAs at the GS-8 next lower grade level listed below. This would be experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required in order to provide all aspects of echocardiography services.

1. Ability to produce diagnostic quality images and Doppler frequency shift recordings using M-mode, two-dimensional, pulsed and continuous wave Doppler spectral display, and color flow Doppler imaging.
2. Knowledge of normal echocardiographic findings and deviations produced by a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases.
3. Ability to perform complex procedures such as cardiac studies of the four chambers of the heart and valves using sector scanning techniques to detect stenotic and incompetent valves, chamber enlargement, and pericardial effusion and cardiovascular studies deriving pressure gradients across obstructed valves, etc.
4. Ability to perform complementary ultrasonic examinations (including noninvasive) transthoracic, Bubble studies and contrast echocardiography, (invasive) stress echocardiography, and transesophageal echocardiography.
5. Ability to adapt transducer positioning, instrument controls, and examination techniques to the individual patient being studied and the problem being evaluated including recognizing pertinent abnormalities and documenting abnormal findings.

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 Echocardiography.
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 Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) as a Registered Cardiac Sonographer (RCS) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) as a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer (RDCS) is highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable.

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

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

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:

• Upload full resume/CV (no page limit) under Other

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.



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 (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• CV/Resume
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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