The Medical Instrument Technician performs echocardiography studies (heart ultrasound) and records the procedure for interpretation by a cardiologist. This is a diagnostic ultrasound procedure to assess heart function and identify possible abnormalities to assist the cardiologist with determining the most appropriate treatment plan for the patient. This position is located at the Perry Point, MD VA Medical Center. 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 education requirements for this occupation. Education may be substituted for experience only at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels. 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 essential knowledge, skills, and abilities. Titles and Certifications/Registrations: Echocardiography Technicians operate diagnostic equipment to graphically record the position and motion of the heart walls or the internal structure of the heart and neighboring tissue by the echo obtained from beams of ultrasonic waves directed through the chest wall. Registration is offered 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). English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoke and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a 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). Grade Determinations: Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) GS-8: Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. This would be experience which provided the overall knowledge, skills, and abilities to conduct diagnostic echocardiography examinations in complex and unusual cases. This would be experience which provided the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to independently conduct difficult but standardized echocardiographic examinations; perform a range of standard, but complex, echocardiographic examinations with responsibility for calibrating all instruments prior to the procedure; keep accurate record of tests, daily logs, and videotapes, and maintain cidex logs Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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 colorflow 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. 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. Preferred Experience: 1 year recent/current experience as a MIT Certified Telemetry/EKG References: VA Handbook 5005/15 Appendix G27, Appendix D - Medical Instrument Technician (Echocardiography) dated March 17, 2006. Physical Requirements: Light to moderate lifting up to 44 pounds, Light to moderate carrying up to 44 pounds, straight pulling, pushing, reaching above shoulders, use of fingers and hands, walking, standing, repeated bending, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordinating simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted). Mental and emotion stability required. Works closely with others or alone. ["The Medical Instrument Technician is responsible for ensuring all procedure images are properly filed and the final procedure reports are downloaded onto CPRS. Echocardiograph procedures include; M-mode, two dimensional color Doppler. Assesses proper functioning of equipment and contacts biomedical engineering if equipment is not working properly. Verifies the accuracy of the Equipment Inventory List for the Echocardiography program. Successfully completes a competency assessment for reprocessing the transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) scopes. Maintains an adequate supply inventory to ensure there are no delays in procedures due to the lack of required supplies. Performs patient preparation before initiating the procedure. Initiates an electronic procedure report for each patient and provides initial information prior to the cardiologist completing the procedure report. Responsible for ensuring all procedure images are properly filed and the final procedure reports are downloaded onto CPRS. Performs bedside procedures when the patient is unable to be transported to the procedure area. Performs complete 12-lead ECGs for select patients. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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