Medical Instrument Technician (Diagnostic Ultrasound)

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. English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English. Are you proficient in spoken and written English? GS-6 Grade Requirements: Do you have at least have 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-5) which demonstrates the KSAs and other characteristics related to the duties of the position? In addition, can you demonstrate the following Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy in order to receive and interpret physician requests for routine, standardized ultrasonography procedures. Knowledge of tissue harmonics and soundwave propagation within the body to adjust TGC (Time Gain Compensation) for optimal image quality. Knowledge of the physics of velocity, frequency of soundwaves, and their physical properties. Ability to set up and adjust the ultrasound equipment to meet the conditions of the examination and the patient and to operate the equipment for standardized, routine procedures. Ability to interact with patients explaining procedures and positioning the patient for the procedure. Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable. GS-7 Grade Requirements: Do you have at least have 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-6) which demonstrates the KSAs and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled? This would be experience which provided the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to independently conduct difficult but standardized diagnostic ultrasonography examinations. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)::Knowledge of the fundamentals of standard equipment operation, calibration and function. Ability to set up and adjust the ultrasound equipment to meet the conditions of the examination and the patient and to operate the equipment for more complex, but standardized procedures. Knowledge of zoom, expansion, prospectus, color Doppler, and pulsed echo Doppler. Knowledge of the digital transmission of images. Ability to alter standard, but complex procedures and protocols to meet patient needs and physical limitations. Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable. GS-8 Grade Requirements: Do you have at least have 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-7) which demonstrates the KSAs and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled? This would be experience which provided the overall knowledge, skills, and abilities to conduct diagnostic ultrasound examinations in complex and unusual cases. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 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, portal-systemic 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. Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable. GS-9 Grade Requirements: Do you have at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-8) whic