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. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 Hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation.
All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation.
Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at
higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they
can be promoted to those higher grade levels.
Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the
qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed,
on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the
standard.
Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional
education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this
qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in
the occupation.
If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this
provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full
VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.
- 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 Determinations:
- GS-9. In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-8 full performance level, positions at this grade may be lead, supervisory, or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and assignments.
- 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.
- 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.
- * Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements.
- Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels.
- * Ability to manage and supervise employees.
- * 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.
- Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level
duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be
performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.
- Special Assignments. Non-supervisory diagnostic ultrasound technicians may have assignments that because of their nature substantially exceed the full performance level. The Professional Standards Board will review proposed non-supervisory special assignments for the GS-9 level and make a determination regarding their appropriateness. These assignments are expected to be relatively few in number and must represent substantial additional responsibility over the full performance level.
Preferred Experience:
- Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) or Registered Vascular Specialist (RVS)
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
- 3 years vascular ultrasound experience in an IAC accredited vascular lab in a hospital setting. Performing Possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform all vascular ultrasound procedures, routine to the most complex.
- Must have complete and thorough knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy and of the arterial and venous system.
- Possess the knowledge, skill, and abilities to organize all exam images and data in a detailed typed preliminary report in the PACS system and Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS).
- Responsible for providing preliminary findings and critical/acute results to ordering providers or reading provider.
- Maintains effective control of the ultrasound area by coordinating, planning, organizing, and executing the daily work potential to expedite workflow patterns within the department. Schedules patients for exams.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS9.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.