Summary This is an OPEN CONTINOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2024. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. This Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound) position is assigned to Radiology Service within the Ralph H. Johnson VA Healthcare System. The Ultrasound (US) technologist at this level performs routine to complex ultrasound exams/procedures. Incumbent can carry out the assigned tasks independently. Responsibilities Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Duties include but not limited to: Performs outpatient, inpatient or emergent ultrasound studies either in the Ultrasound department or bedside (portable), records and processes images and prepares the processed media for interpretation by the Staff Radiologist. Assures images are properly identified with patient demographics and verifies archiving on PACS. Performs renal doppler, hepatic doppler, transplant duplex, mesenteric, TIPS evaluation, AV fistulas, temporal arteries, upper and lower extremities, and other vascular studies (arterial or venous) as deemed by service leadership. Assists with percutaneous punctures as directed by the Radiologist. Performs studies localizing fluid-filled areas under ultrasound and employs sterile technique as indicated for punctures and biopsies. Receives and identifies patients using two (2) patient identifiers, prepares patients for exams and explains procedures, assists movement of patients to and from exam table, positions the patient, sets up and adjusts all imaging equipment including appropriate selection of technical factors, manually maneuvers transducer/probe to perform the exam. Evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures and rearranges priorities to accommodate them. Maintains and stocks all supplies used in the ultrasound work area, ensuring applicable products are within expiration date and stored properly. Differentiates artifacts from normal or pathological processes and recognizes electronic equipment limitations. Participates in training of new employees in the section in accordance with established procedures and practices. Reports equipment malfunctions in a timely manner to the supervisor and Biomedical Engineering, and is competent to enter service requests/work orders, as appropriate. Registered in Sonography by either the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS and/or RVT) or the American Registry of Radiology Technologists in ultrasound, ARRT(S). Must maintain BLS. Work Schedule: Friday-Monday, 7:00am-5:00pm or 8:00am-6:00pm with rotating on-call and holidays EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vhav07hrd@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. 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) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 55866F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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 probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. 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). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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. Certification: Registration by Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI) or by the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS) is highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable. 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). 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. 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. Grade Determination: GS-10 Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound) (Above Full Performance Level) Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-10 you must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) which demonstrates the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: GS-09 Knowledge, skills and abilities, that must be clearly demonstrated in your resume: 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 Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and other regulatory requirements Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. AND GS-10 Knowledge, skills and abilities, that must be clearly demonstrated in your resume: Advanced knowledge of complex and non-standard treatment and examination procedures and techniques. Ability to plan and assist in the establishment of a complexity integrated treatment and examination program. Ability to evaluate new products and equipment and make recommendations concerning developments which would improve operations. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G27 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-10 which is above the full performance level. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion. It may require long periods of standing, walking and/or sitting. It may involve frequent bending, twisting, lifting; positioning patients; and carrying, pushing, or pulling moderately heavy objects. Education None Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.