Summary

The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) - Diagnostic Ultrasound - Performs a full range of ultrasound procedures including special complicated examinations for which there may not be standard instructions or procedures. The medical instrument technologist may be asked to perform independent portable ultrasound examinations in the intensive care units - emergency room - surgery - and throughout the Medical Center and/or select satellite clinic.

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
• 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 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: GS-4 (a) 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 position to be filled
• Six months of this experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant - practical nursing - or similar fields
• The remaining six months must have been in operating diagnostic and therapeutic equipment covered by this occupation
• Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited at this level
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs OR - 1
• Education
• Successful completion of two years of education above high school or an associate's degree with a major field of study directly related to the medical instrument technician occupation
• (b) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities 1
• Knowledge of basic medical terminology
• 2
• Ability to learn the components - operating characteristics - and settings of the equipment to be used
• 3
• Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress
• 4
• Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted
• 5
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing
• GS-5 (a) 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 position to be filled
• This would be experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization for which application is made or in related functional areas
• Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: OR - (b) Education
• Successful completion of [4 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation - or] a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions
• (c) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities 1
• Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions
• 2
• Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment
• 3
• Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities
• 4
• Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures
• 5
• Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble - clean - reassemble - and calibrate the machine
• GS 6: (a) 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
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (b) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities 1
• Knowledge of medical terminology and human anatomy in order to receive and interpret physician requests for routine - standardized ultrasonography procedures
• 2
• Knowledge of tissue harmonics and soundwave propagation within the body to adjust TGC (Time Gain Compensation) for optimal image quality
• 3
• Knowledge of the physics of velocity - frequency of soundwaves - and their physical properties
• 4
• 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
• 5
• Ability to interact with patients explaining procedures and positioning the patient for the procedure
• (c) Certification
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable
• GS-7 (a) 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 individual with the knowledge - skills - and abilities to independently conduct difficult but standardized diagnostic ultrasonography examinations
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (b) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities 1
• 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
• 2
• Knowledge of zoom - expansion - prospectus - color Doppler - and pulsed echo Doppler
• 3
• Knowledge of the digital transmission of images
• 4
• Ability to alter standard - but complex procedures and protocols to meet patient needs and physical limitations
• (c) Certification
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable
• GS 8 (a) 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 ultrasound examinations in complex and unusual cases
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (b) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities 1
• 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
• 2
• Ability to perform vascular studies such as vertebral - renal artery - aortic aneurysm - portal-systemic shunts - etc
• 3
• Ability to assist radiologists with biopsy procedures determining the location - depth - and required needle angle for the lesion to be sampled
• 4
• Ability to assist in surgical procedures and fluid aspirations
• (c) Certification
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are desirable
• 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
• See education for additional information for qualifications

Duties

• Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Medical Technologist: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Medical-Technologist-Career-Flyer.pdf 1
• Major Duties and Responsibilities: This represents the full performance level for medical instrument technologist (diagnostic ultrasound sonographer)
• Performs a full range of ultrasound procedures including special complicated examinations for which there may not be standard instructions or procedures
• The medical instrument technologist may be asked to perform independent portable ultrasound examinations in the intensive care units - emergency room - surgery - and throughout the Medical Center and/or select satellite clinic
• The technologist works independently - performs standard examinations - evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures - and rearranges patients scheduled to accommodate them
• The purpose of these exams is to achieve diagnostic ultrasound studies so that proper diagnosis and treatment may be effectuated
• 2
• Functions: a
• Performs ultrasound examinations of the abdomen - neck - chest - extremities - bone - pelvic/transvaginal - testicle - and retroperitoneal space for the purpose of acquiring high quality examinations that assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patient medical disorders
• b
• Assists the radiologist and senior technologist in the performance of imaging guided procedures - such as cyst punctures - aspiration biopsies - and catheter placements - for the purpose of diagnostic treatments using ultrasound techniques
• This requires the use of surgical sterile and/or aseptic techniques - syringes - needles - etc
• c
• Participates in scheduling of exams in a manner so as to optimize the use of the ultrasound units and scanning times while maintaining flexibility to allow for emergency cases
• 3
• Customer Services: Interactions with management - co-workers - patients - and the general public will be consistently courteous - respectful - and cooperative in nature
• Incumbent will display a cooperative attitude and will effectively work together to implement the organization's mission and goals
• Incumbent will ensure productivity is maintained at the established level for the program for which he/she is responsible
• 4
• Age-specific Criteria: Age-specific care - as identified in the Age-Specific Competencies (see Age-Specific Competencies Checklist) - including knowledge of changes associated with aging and principles of growth and development relevant to the adult and geriatric age groups
• ability to assess and interpret data about the patient's status
• and ability to identify age-specific needs and provide the appropriate care based upon the age related factors noted
• 5
• Computer Security: Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws - Federal regulations - VA statutes and policy - and VHA policy
• Protects the data from unauthorized release or from loss - alteration - or unauthorized deletion
• Follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files - release of access codes - etc
• Uses word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files
• activating printers
• inserting and deleting text - formatting letters - reports - and memoranda
• and transmitting and receiving e-mail
• Uses the Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA) to access information in the Medical Center Computer System
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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
• 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 #: 94071-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized